International Development Studies

The International Development Studies major at UCLA offers undergraduates an interdisciplinary study of the critical issues common to developing regions of the world. Incorporating courses in anthropology, economics, public health, geography, history, political science and sociology, the curriculum exposes students to urgent global issues, problems, and policies connected to the struggles and achievements of the underdeveloped world.

While encouraging the acquisition of theoretical and conceptual knowledge, the program is equally concerned with their practical application to global realities. Common topics of concern to International Development Studies majors include: population-resource issues; conflict resolution; human migration and refugee relief; war and political violence; illness and health services; human rights and environmental justice; political stability and democratization; international economic expansion; food security and self-sufficiency; gender disparities in education, health, and work. The program values field experience involving travel, study and/or work in regions in the developing world.

This Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students interested in careers or vocations requiring an understanding of the diverse development experiences of the world.

Contact Information

International Development Studies (IDS)
International Institute Office of Academic Counseling
10357 Bunche Hall

Campus Resources

UCLA Career Center
Strathmore Bldg., Floors two and three
501 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1573
310.206.1915

Internships and Study Abroad
310.825.0831
career.ucla.edu

The Career Center’s mission is to promote the career development of UCLA students and alumni and to provide access to experiential learning and employment opportunities, so students may explore career options and nurture career goals. Among the services that the Career Center can provide are:

• Advising services to assess student needs and direct them to appropriate resources
• Individual and group counseling to assist clients in determining their career related values, interests, skills, and career management issues
• Library and web-based resources to help clients research occupational fields, professional/graduate education options, employment prospects, and prepare for the job search
• Workshops on topics such as interviewing, resume writing, and job search strategies
• Access to the BruinView™ Database for local, national, and international job and internship openings and on campus interviews.

International Institute Centers and Programs- Students interested in specific regions are encouraged to participate in activities sponsored through related International Institute Centers and Programs. There are over 15 centers at the Institute focusing on major world regions and/or global issues.

Student Organizations
Becoming involved with student organizations can be a great networking tool as well as an important addition to any resume.

UCLA International Institute Student Association (IISA) is the official organization representing students of the International Institute at UCLA. The purpose of IISA is to promote awareness of international issues as well as to represent the International Institute students of UCLA and strengthen its degree programs. To achieve these ends, they provide an open forum for discussion and various social and academic activities for members. They inform students through workshops, guest speakers, meetings, and career and internship opportunities. As the student body of the International Institute, IISA will provide a supportive foundation for members to connect, interact and share ideas, and they welcome all students who have an interest in international issues.

Once students have joined IISA, they should consider joining other groups that suit their interests as well. A few that may be particularly interesting for IDS majors are:

• AIDS Awareness Committee (SWC)
• Amnesty International, UCLA
• California Student Sustainability Coalition at UCLA
• Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC)
• Global Association of Culture and Peace, The
• Habitat for Humanity
• Health for Humanity

Study Abroad

Study Abroad Opportunities for IDS Majors – International Development Studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad in areas of the developing world. There are a number of study abroad programs available to students, ranging in length from a summer to an entire academic year. Interested students should review the IDS web site for information on the following programs:

• UCLA Summer Travel
• UC Education Abroad Program (EAP)
• Internship and Study Abroad Services (Non-UC Study Abroad programs).

Graduate School: Research and Higher Education

Students who are interested in graduate and professional degree programs should start investigating schools and program prerequisites as early as possible.

Please refer to the Applying to Graduate School page for general information on the application process, making yourself a competitive candidate, the statement of purpose, and funding opportunities.

The IDS web site also provides information on Graduate School in Development Studies and related fields.

Don’t forget that TAs and professors are a great informal resource about graduate school. If you are interested in a particular graduate program, visit that school’s web site. Most university departments have extensive information online.

Additionally, the UCLA Career Center offers workshops on graduate school planning and an extensive library of resources including:

• Peterson’s Annual Guide to Graduate Study by Peterson’s
• The Grad School Handbook by Richard Jerrard and Margot Jerrard
• Getting What You Came for: The Smart Student Guide to Earning a Master’s or Ph.D. by Robert L. Peters, Ph.D.

Career and Internship Opportunities
Because the International Development Studies major is so flexible and diverse, students can choose from a variety of career paths, from development/non-profit work to the business world, law to the education sector, and much more. What you do with your degree in IDS will depend largely on the opportunities that you create by accumulating experience through coursework and internships. Internships, in addition to giving students valuable work experience, are an excellent way for IDS students to narrow their career interests.

Below are some of the career options that IDS graduates pursue:

International Agencies and Field Work

• Non-Governmental Organizations: Non-governmental agencies (NGOs) operate outside of government agencies, but often publicize issues that governments later come to focus upon. In the field of International Development, many NGOs work on international issues: "Foundation for Global Community," "Greenpeace," and the "Middle East Children's Alliance" are some examples.
• United Nations Organizations
• Multi-lateral and Bilateral Agencies: These agencies include U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, and the Inter-American Foundation, for example.
• Foreign Service / State Department
• Teaching English as a Second Language

Community Organization and Development

• Grassroots non-governmental organizations: These groups are often organized around a single issue, and attempt to publicize, educate and motive people around it. They operate outside the legal and budgetary framework of government, but usually tackle "public-interest" issues.
• Social and Environmental Justice Campaigns
• Local Political Activism
• Government-sponsored Community Development Programs: These include Americorps, Teach for America and VISTA.

Private Sector

• International Business / Trade
• Finance / Micro-Finance
• International Law
• Journalism / Media Arts
• Think-tank Research

Internships- Practical field experience before graduation is essential for pursuing a career in international development and can help you establish important contacts and relationships that may be helpful to you throughout your career. Note that while we highly encourage IDS majors to participate in internships, unit credit received will not fulfill any major requirement; however, these units can apply towards your degree.

Resources for Jobs and Internships – See a full array of internship offerings from the IDS web site.

UCLA Center for Community Learning – The Center for Community Learning offers students the opportunity for individualized education by connecting their service, career, and personal interests with academics. It also gives students the opportunity to participate in a variety of structured and rigorous academic courses that link theory and practice.

UCLA Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP) - CAPPP selects 25 to 30 undergraduates each fall and spring to participate in its Quarter in Washington, D.C. Program, which offers an opportunity to combine UCLA courses with research and field experience in areas directly related to the policy-making process of the federal government, including placements in such locations as the American Enterprise Institute, CNN, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Justice Department. Past IDS participants in the CAPPP Program have interned with the World Bank and Amnesty International.

Internship and Study Abroad - Washington D.C. Internship – These very popular and in-demand internships enable UCLA students to spend ten weeks or longer working and gain invaluable experience in the office of a legislator, a public interest group, government agency, business, private industry, media, arts, or international organization. Interns have the option of working in functional areas such as research, writing, public relations, and problem solving. 310.825.0831

Remember that the UCLA Career Center has numerous resources to pursue any path that you choose! Individual career counseling is available, as well as career workshops, assessments, pre-professional school advising, and an extensive resource library.