Emory gets funds for sustainable development degree

Emory University was named as one of 10 colleges from around the world to share a $7.6 million grant to develop a new master’s degree program focusing on sustainable development, officials announced Tuesday morning.

Emory will receive $900,000 from the MacArthur Foundation, which is involved in global conservation efforts.

Lessons in the master’s program are expected to go beyond economics and management and include agriculture, health, nutrition, policy, management and environmental science, foundation officials said in a news release.

Emory leaders said their program will emphasize health and governance-related aspects of sustainable development. The college plans to work on the program with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Carter Center and CARE, a humanitarian group.

Columbia University and the University of Florida are the other American colleges to share the award. The 10 selected universities are expected to produce 250 graduates by 2012.