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Operation Blessing at work: Pursue your master’s in international development at Regent University.

M.A. in International Development

Accelerate Your Global Impact Through a Master’s in International Development

Are you ready to transform the world through a Christian worldview? Regent’s Master of Arts in International Development can prepare you to improve economic, social and political conditions globally. You can gain highly marketable skills in program evaluation, policy oversight and analysis, and economic growth and trade. You can also be equipped to work with governmental, nonprofit and faith-based organizations to lead humanitarian disaster response and anti-poverty efforts within the U.S. and abroad. This program is delivered fully online with some on-campus courses available.

Online
30
January 13, 2025
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Gain Hands-On Experience

Enjoy real-world training through project-focused internship opportunities with partner organizations.

Increase Your Network

Join our global alumni of government officials, advocates, consultants, and policymakers who are changing the world.

Make an Impact

Assist in the development of on-the-ground international development projects that give hope to communities in need.

Align Yourself with Excellence

Regent, based in Virginia Beach, VA, has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). We have also been recognized as a Military Friendly Top 5 School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25, and among the Top 10 Best for Vets Colleges: Online & Nontraditional by Military Times, 2020. Experience the Regent difference through the master’s in international development program.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the master’s in international development, you can:

  • Gain real-world experience in key aspects of international development.
  • Lead humanitarian efforts and proven international development strategies.
  • Apply faith-based development models to promote sustainable human flourishing.
  • Present academic research through peer reviewed journals and other mediums to mitigate human conflict and suffering.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Government Agency Program Officer
  • Country Program Specialist
  • Government Relations Advisor
  • Missions-Focused Development Director
  • Policy Analyst/Program Officer

Regent's M.A. in International Development with a concentration in Comparative & Regional Studies challenges your knowledge on international affairs by combining regional expertise with a comparative perspective.

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Regent's M.A. in International Development with a concentration in Humanitarian Aid & Faith-based Development teaches response methods for international crises and explores the unique challenges of faith-based humanitarian organizations.

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Featured Courses
GOV 597Directed Project3
Students will participate in a practical development project or related opportunity, in conjunction with faculty and partner organizations, consistent with their eventual career goals and the mission of the international development degree and RSG. Prerequisite: Complete Core Curriculum (18 credits).
GOV 603Research Methods3
Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation. Cross listed with GOV 703.
GOV 604Christian Foundations of Government3
Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization. Cross-listed with GOV 704.
GOV 626Religion & Global Politics3
Covers basic aspects of religion and international politics, including religion’s relationship to state power, international religious freedom, inter-state and intra-state religious conflict, and religion’s relationship to international human rights and economic development. There are also strong connections with relevant scriptural principles. Cross-listed with GOV 726.
GOV 673Democracy & Development3
Analyzes the nature and character of democracy and democratic institutions, compares theoretical approaches to democratization and political development, and analyzes practical case studies. Cross-listed with GOV 773.
GOV 674International Political Economy3
A multi-disciplinary study of international and multinational social, political, and economic problems from a Comparative and international perspective. Cross-listed with GOV 774.
GOV 680Comparative Politics3
Presents an introduction to the systematic study of comparative politics. Examines political systems, processes in historical and current contexts in order to understand how they differ and why. Cross-listed with GOV 780.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$9006$5,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)$6959$6,255
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$9009$8,100

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$9006$5,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)$6959$6,255
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$9009$8,100

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Ann Buwalda, Regent University alumna.

When it comes to taking down giants, Ann Buwalda has quite a few tools in her belt. “Prayer and relationship with God give you the faith that you need to conquer your giant.” Buwalda has been slaying “giants” since 1991 as executive director of Jubilee Campaign USA, a nonprofit that focuses on international religious freedom and advocating for the release of prisoners of conscience; aiding in the resettlement of refugees seeking asylum; and combatting human trafficking — including protecting vulnerable women and children and providing support to victims. Read about her work.

Kenton Lee, a 2010 graduate of Regent’s School of Business & Leadership, is the founder and executive director of Because International, a nonprofit company that provides adjustable shoes to accommodate a child’s growing feet. On a mission trip to Kenya eight years ago, Lee’s heart broke when he saw orphans struggling to cram their feet into shoes they had outgrown. One of the girls “actually had to cut open the front of her shoes to let her toes stick out. … Most of the kids had shoes that didn’t fit.” Read about “The Shoe That Grows.”

Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.

“Your time in school, and certainly at Regent, molds how you think, molds how you approach things … Regent offers a serious academic environment that provides for growth in those areas.”

Chris Connelly, M.A. in Public Policy, 1998; Ph.D. in Communication, 2020 Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

“All the time, when people hear I am studying public administration, they say, ‘Oh, we need more Christian leaders in government!’ It’s a perfect fit for Regent’s mission. And if you’re a Christian, you have something anchoring you to the decisions you make that affect an entire country.”

Sonya Mills, MPA, 2018 Human Resources Administrative Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice, Hawaii

“Through the MPA program at Regent, I was chosen to participate in the Ph.D. Project ― an award-winning program designed to create diversity in corporate management. I learned that the pursuit of a doctoral degree is a challenging, yet rewarding experience.”

Theresa Judge, MPA, 2017 The Ph.D. Project

“Professors give real-life lessons and then connect them with God's purpose for your life in a relevant manner.”

Hannah Bell, M.A., 2012 Nonprofit Organization Leader

“Regent’s Military Resource Center introduced me to a network of mentors and went the extra mile to support me.”

Natasha Moore, B.S. in Criminal Justice, 2019; MPA, 2020 Navy veteran; preparing to be a commissioned officer in the military