The International Policy and Development track offers opportunities for students who are interested in exploring the process of economic growth development in countries around the world. Courses provide a discussion of issues and the analysis of different approaches to alleviating poverty, the role of institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and USAID, and the comparison of economic policies across countries in both the industrialized and developing countries. IPD courses cover an introduction to economic development, health and education policies in developing countries, comparative economic policy, economic and social policy of advanced industrialized countries, the role of international institutions, and key policy issues in Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. The other courses in the track offers courses on key areas of development such as include microfinance, corruption, post-conflict reconstruction, European Union, and pension reform. Courses also cover the approaches role of multinational and bilateral development institutions, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, and private foundations in promoting economic development. IPD courses cover economic development, social development, comparative economic policy, economic and social policy of advanced industrialized countries, the role of international institutions, and key policy issues in Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to the wide variety of IPD courses offered at GPPI, students occasionally enroll in courses through the Science, Technology & International Affairs program, the McDonough School of Business, and the School of Foreign Service.

Students in this track become well-versed in key international policy issues and, as a result, are well-positioned for careers in a variety of international, national, and non-governmental organizations such as Ashoka, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Council on Foreign Relations, Development Alternatives, Inc., Inter-American Development Bank, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), Oxfam America, Pan American Health Organization, Population Services International, Save the Children, Social Compact, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors, U.S. Department of State, and the World Bank.