Global Development (BS)

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Program Website

Program Description

Located within the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, the Global Development (GDEV) undergraduate major responds to the need for innovative and critical thinking about the concept and practice of development, the process of improving the standard of living and the economic, social, and political conditions of people in communities around the world. It prepares students by building tangible skills to analyze real-world problems, clarify solutions, develop leadership, and foster positive social change. We do so in the joint spirits of Gro Harlem Brundtland's vision of sustainable development as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs," and Margaret Mead's reminder that "a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."

Students receive comprehensive training in key skills, issues, and debates that are central to global development. All GDEV students begin with core interdisciplinary coursework in development scholarship and practice. They then gain depth in a focused elective area of their choice, selecting from social and economic development, agriculture and food systems or environment and development. 

As a Global Development major, students are required to spend at least eight weeks in an international or domestic field-based internship. Throughout their field experience, students work with and learn from innovative development and community leaders, crafting cutting-edge strategies to address some of the world's most significant challenges and advance the well-being of people and the planet.

Academic Standards

Declaring the Major

Current Cornell students who are interested in transferring to the Global Development major must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum cumulative Cornell GPA of 3.0
  • Completion of GDEV 1102 Introduction to Global Development, GDEV 1300 Just Food: Exploring the Modern Food System, and GDEV 1105 Global Development Cornerstone completed before transfer with an average grade of a B+ or better in 1102 and 1300, and a "S" in the Cornerstone (note: the three courses are only offered in the fall semester).

To apply to join the major and be assigned a major advisor, students should contact Lynn Morris (lm747@cornell.edu).