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Home  «  Future Students  « MA in Development Studies

Postgraduate study: MA in Development Studies

WHY STUDY DEVELOPMENT?

Improving our understanding of all aspects of social, economic, political and environmental conditions in developing countries and the inequality between the developed and the developing world, where most of the world’s population lives is the goal of Development Studies. Studying development assists in building the individuals knowledge and skills to address the issues and equips them and organisations with the capacity to engage in the debates about development and participate in development work.

WHY STUDY WITH US?

The postgraduate coursework program draws from the broad range of knowledge and skills available in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and other Faculties to achieve an integrated social scientific approach to understanding development issues. The program aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate in development projects and to hold responsible positions in development analysis in either the not-for-profit, public or private sectors.

The MA and Graduate Diploma in Development Studies cultivates creativity and a critical perspective, and helps students develop valuable research, policy and program skills. The program is suitable for students in Australia and internationally, who wish to enhance their careers or equip themselves with skills to move in new directions.

Some of the reasons for the choice of the different Development Studies Programs available in the School of Social Science and International Studies can be seen at: http://ssis.arts.unsw.edu.au/alumni/pg_coursework/index.html

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

The MA and Graduate Diploma in Development Studies applies a social science and humanities perspective to questions of social, economic and political development. Students acquire a solid grounding of knowledge in the core program of the nature of poverty, inequality and the other development challenges in the developing world and the theories, policies and practices developed to address it.

The core courses are supported by program of electives covering the areas of Development Management; Asia-Pacific Regional Studies; Political Economy and the Environment; Humanities, Human Rights and Politics in which students can specialise. The program prepares students for work that requires analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of development, development policy and implementation.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should hold a Bachelor’s degree in any field from an approved university or college of advanced education and have some experience in an area appropriate to the degree program.

An exception to the degree requirement may be made if the applicant has general and professional experience acceptable to the School. Note that students whose first language is not English may need to meet an English proficiency requirement.

APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINES

Details of postgraduate coursework programs, entry requirements, fees, etc., for domestic and international students can be viewed on the UNSW web site at:
http://www.unsw.edu.au/futureStudents/postgradCourse/sad/postgradcourse.html

Deadline for applications for International Students are usually late November and May and domestic students a month later. Later applications may be accepted subject to place being available.

International applicants should use the Application Form included in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences International Postgraduate Prospectus. Information on English language requirements are available from the International Office: http://www.international.unsw.edu.au

MASTER OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The Master of Arts in Development Studies is a coursework degree (program 8225, plan code COMDBS8225) takes two sessions full-time or three sessions part-time of study. There are four core units and four electives. The program for completion requires the completion of courses totalling 48 units of credit. Postgraduate coursework courses in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are usually valued at 6 units of credit (UOC) but courses in other Faculties may be valued at different values and students may need to enroll a Linkage Subject (s) that sets additional work to complete the requirements of the degree. Please consult the Development Coordinator for additional information if required.

Full-time students take four courses (including two core courses) in Session one of their course and four courses (including two more core course) in Session 2. Students who complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma In Policy Studies may graduate in that program.

Part-time first year students usually take a common core of 2 courses plus two electives in their first year. This also qualifies them for the Graduate Diploma in Development Studies. In the second year, part-time students take a further two core subjects and two electives to qualify for the Master of Arts in Development Studies. Part-time students must enroll in a minimum of one course in each session

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The Graduate Diploma in Development Studies (program 5225, plan code COMDBS5225) requires students to complete six courses in total (36UOC) made up of three of the core courses and three approved electives to qualify.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Students who complete four courses (24UOC) of the core units qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Development Studies (program 7348, plan code SLSPBS734).

CORE COURSES IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The Master of Arts in Development Studies requires students to select four of the 6 units of credit core courses listed below. The Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate students must select core courses as required by their program.

SESSION 1 COURSES

SLSP 5015 International Development Policy
SLSP 5001 Policy Analysis
SLSP 5002 Information and Research for Policy
SOCW7850 Issues and Policy in Social Development
COMD 0508 Special Program

SESSION 2 COURSES

POLS 5122 The International Political Economy
POLS 5161 Developing Countries and the International System
SLSP 5017 Policy Advocacy
SOCW7852 Politics of International Aid
POLS5100 International Relationships Internship Program
COMD 0508 Special Program

ELECTIVE COURSES

The Master of Arts in Development Studies requires completion of four elective courses from the one of the following focus areas or two courses from a focus area and one from regional studies.

The Graduate Diploma in Development Studies requires the completion of two courses from the one of the following focus areas or one course from a focus area and one from regional studies. Not all courses will be offered each year.

The Coordinator of Development Studies can approve courses in other graduate programs related to students field of development interest being substituted for the courses listed here. Students should note some courses offered outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (marked * in the list of electives) account for less than 8 units of credit (usually 6 UOC) and an additional linkage subject (s) that sets additional work, may be required to complete the requirements of the degree. Please note LAWS subjects, student numbers may be limited. Contact the School of Law for details.

Development Management

GEOS9011 Environmental Impact Assessment *
MGMT5949 International Human Resource Management
MGMT5949 International Human Resource Management *
SLSP5004 Policy in Organisations
SLSP5016 Social Policy
SLSP5017 Policy Advocacy
SLSP5013 Program Evaluation
SOCW7851 Social and Community Development
SOCW7855 Program Design and Evaluation
SOCW7856 Program Management in Social Development
SOCW7890 Working with Aboriginal People

Political Economy and the Environment

ATAX0326 Tax and Investment Regulation in China
HPSC5500 Society, Environmental Policy and Sustainability
HPSC5520 Fundamental Knowledge in Environmental Management
LAWS4183 Aspects of International Governance
LAWS4187 International Trade law: Environment and Development
PHIL5402 Ethical Issues in Business and the Professions
PHIL5503 Organisational Ethics Public and Private
POLS5120 Global Politics
POLS5121 International Institutions
POLS5122 International Political Economy

Humanities, Human Rights and Politics

LAWS4088 Law of Armed Conflict*
LAWS4181 Contemporary Issues in Human Rights*
LAWS4182 Aspects of Social Justice*
POLS5125 The Politics of International Law
POLS5126 Nationalism and Ethnicity in International Relations
SAHT9131 Visual and Museum Cultures in the Asia-Pacific Region
SOCW7852 Politics of International Aid
SOCW7857 Refugees and Forced Migration
SOCW7855 Social Development Internship

Asia Pacific Regional Studies

ATAX0326 Taxation and Investment Regulation in China
CHIN5906 Chinese Business and Management
HPSC5600 Environment and Development in the Asia Pacific
LAWS4120 Themes in Asian and Comparative Law
POLS5108 Regional Orders in the Asia Pacific
POLS5108 Regional Orders in the Asia Pacific
POLS5127 China and Asia Pacific Security
POLS5156 The International Political Economy of East Asian Development
SOCA5010 Anthropology Fieldwork

*Note: 6UOC Courses

OTHER ELECTIVE COURSES AVAILABLE
Students may, with the permission of the course coordinator, select from a wide range of elective courses offered by other Schools in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and in other Faculties. Additional courses with a Development Studies orientation are offered in fields such as:

Environmental Studies
Law
Politics and International Relations
Media
Taxation
Public and Community Health
Built Environment and Economics

Students Rights and Responsibilities

School Handbooks contain the details of the rules and procedures applying to the Development Studies courses offered by each School. Students must make themselves aware of these and conform to them. These rules, that may apply in courses involving fieldwork for example may be additional to the UNSW rules relating to academic misconduct etc.

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH

Research degrees in development topics are offered by the Schools in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the PhD, Masters and Graduate Certificate levels.

For further information about our research programs contact us either on-line at:
http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/pgresearch/index.shtml
or by email at: artsresearch@unsw.edu.au.

See individual Schools at: http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au

 

Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences

Development Studies  UNSW Sydney 2052, Australia Tel:(International)+61 2 9385 1492 Email: developmentstudies@unsw.edu.au
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Authorised by Program Coordinator, Development Studies, ©Copyright 2005, Last Updated: January 6, 2009