Global Development Studies Program

GDS students visit Just Us! Co-Op to learn about Fair Trade Coffee.

Global Development Studies is about addressing the causes and consequences of global poverty and social injustice. It combines critical thinking with practice in everyday life aimed at enhancing the ability of everyone to actively participate in society to confront the world’s most pressing social, economic, political, and environmental problems. While some in this world have a range of opportunities and benefits, the majority world encounters daily challenges to survive and thrive. Drawing on a distinctly global and interdisciplinary approach, the Global Development Studies is concerned with what it takes to improve lives and livelihoods, and understand and alter the historical and current patterns of global injustice.

The Global Development Studies Program at Saint Mary's University is an interdisciplinary program that offers degrees at the undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels. With a strong foundation in political economy and globalization, our Program offers students a learner-focused environment within which to develop the theoretical and practical skills required to confront today's most difficult global challenges. Faculty in Global Development Studies are actively engaged in research, policy, and development practice, welcoming students from across the globe to study at one of Canada's oldest Universities. Global Development Studies combines internationally recognized scholars with small class sizes and individual attention.