Search
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Cattolica International

Course details

You are viewing

The Master in International Cooperation and Development is divided into four main parts. It combines academic training with real-world experience to prepare students for careers in development and international cooperation. 

 

1st Level – Scientific Training Skills | COURSES 

  • Economic and Human Development 
  • Geopolitics 
  • Trade and Finance for Development 
  • Development Law and Institutions 
  • Project Cycle Management and Theory of Change 

 

2nd Level – Professional Training | COURSES

  • Development Actors and Strategies 
  • Crisis Prevention, Relief and Recovery 
  • Resources and Development: Institutions, Corruption and Conflict 
  • Human Rights, Human Dignity and Development 
  • Professional and Cooperative Skills Development 

 

3rd Level | Project Work

Students complete an individual research project on a topic related to international development. The project is guided by professors or partner professionals and often connects to the internship experience, either before or after. 

 

4th Level | Internship 

Each student completes a professional internship with the support of a faculty tutor. Placements are matched to students' interests and skills, often using ASERI’s global network of development partners. 

The Master programme is supported by a strong international network of NGOs, foundations, UN agencies, and research centers. Many of these organizations contribute to teaching and also offer internship opportunities for students. 

Some of our key partners include: 

  • NGOs and Foundations: ACRA, AVSI, CESVI, COOPI, FOCSIV, Caritas in Veritate Foundation, Fondazione Cariplo, World Friends (Kenya) 
  • International Organizations and UN Agencies: UNDP, UNCTAD, UNICEF (Thailand), UNRIC, WHO, World Food Programme, Red Cross (Peru) 
  • Research and Academic Institutions: University of Notre Dame (USA), ISMU, Transcrime, Observatoire de la Finance 
  • Other partners: European Training Foundation, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See (Geneva) 

These partnerships help bridge academic learning with real-world development practice. 

Director 

Prof. Simona Beretta, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 

 

Faculty 

  • Dr. Giacomo Agosti - CESVI 
  • Dr. Lylen Albani - CESVI 
  • Dr. Mariacristina Armellin - World Vision UK 
  • Dr. Sara Balestri - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Dr. Elena Casolari - Fondazione Opes onlus 
  • Dr. Frank Cinque - E4Impact 
  • Prof. Emilio Colombo - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Prof. Paul H. Dembinski - University of Fribourg 
  • Dr. Giuliano Gargioni - Global Tuberculosis Programme, WHO, Geneva 
  • Dr. Deborah Grbac - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Dr. Soraya Johaar - Career Development Specialist, Brussels 
  • Dr. Paolo Lembo - World Green Economy Organization 
  • Dr. Mariangela La Manna - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Prof. Marco Lombardi - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Prof. Mario A. Maggioni - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Dr. Elisabetta Minelli - WHO Health Emergencies Programme 
  • Prof. Mathias Nebel - Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Pueblo, Mexico 
  • Dr. Francesca Oliva - AVSI 
  • Prof. Aldo Pigoli - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Dr. Giovanna Prennushi - Independent Consultant 
  • Prof. Riccardo Redaelli - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Prof. Michele Riccardi - Transcrime, Università Cattolica 
  • Dr. Margherita Romanelli - WeWorld GVC 
  • Dr. Andrea Rossi - UNICEF 
  • Dr. Domenico Rossignoli - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 
  • Dr. Javier Schunk - PCM Trainer 
  • Dr. Nicola Strazzari - Vision Plus Media Enterprises, Turin 
  • Dr. Simone Tagliapietra - Bruegel 
  • Dr. Manuela Tortora - UNCTAD, Geneva 
  • Prof. Teodora Erika Uberti - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 

Each year, professionals from international institutions, NGOs, and research centers are invited to give open lectures and seminars as part of the programme. 

The Specialising Master combines academic knowledge with real-world experience. Students learn how to manage projects, work with partners, and support sustainable development in many parts of the world. 

Skills developed in the programme include: 

  • Identifying local needs and using community-based, bottom-up approaches 
  • Managing financial, technical, and administrative parts of development projects 
  • Supporting local leaders, civil society, and institutions in planning and resource use 
  • Working within national and international development policy frameworks 

 

Where can graduates work? 

Graduates are prepared for jobs in NGOs, international organizations, public institutions, or private agencies. Possible roles include: 

  • Project Cycle Expert 
  • Project Assistant or Project Manager 
  • Analyst, Researcher, or Evaluator 
  • Communications Officer 
  • Fundraiser 
  • Partnership Coordinator 
  • Humanitarian Officer 
  • Administrative or HR Officer 

Students' career paths will also depend on their previous education and experience. 

Graduates of the Master in International Cooperation and Development work in NGOs, UN agencies, governments, and think tanks around the world. Many say the master gave them the tools, motivation, and professional network they needed to start or grow their careers in development. 

Here are some reflections from MICaD alumni: 

  • Melanie Weiss 

Intern, UNODC Country Office Myanmar 
“Professors challenged us to grow beyond our disciplines, and the diversity in class made the learning experience unforgettable. I’m proud to be an ASERI alumna.” 

  • Ola Wazwaz

Technical Officer, WHO Switzerland
“Courses and classmates opened my mind to global development topics—from gender to climate change. The international learning environment was a real strength.” 

  • Filippo Oggioni 

Global Digital Fundraising Specialist, UNICEF
“ASERI helped me focus my goals. Since graduating, I’ve worked with UNV, UNICEF in eSwatini, Nepal, and now in Switzerland.” 

  • Inmaculada del Pino Alvarez 

Food Security Coordinator, FAO São Tomé e Príncipe
“Top professors and a multicultural classroom gave me both tools and friendships. MICaD was the ideal launchpad.” 

  • Carolyne Nyokabi Njuguna 

Founder & Director, Impacting Youth Trust, Kenya
“This Master prepares you to be a change-maker. It teaches not just project management—but your role as a citizen of the world.” 

  • Class start date: January 2027 
  • Class end date: June 2027 
  • Exams: June 2027 
  • Project work (Thesis) discussion: end of November 2027 
  • Graduation: December 2027 
International students can join Italian language courses offered by SELDA (Servizio Linguistico d’Ateneo). These courses require a fee.

To contact SELDA: