Master of Development Studies(CWT)

The coursework masters provides specialist training for professional qualification purposes, usually to graduates working in the fields of development and environment, development and gender, development and urbanisation, and health policy and development, but may also be taken for general interest. This course does not necessarily lead to higher degree study, however high achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to a masters by research or PhD.

Students who complete the masters will:

• understand current practice and thinking about development;
• comprehend the relations between development and environmental conditions, gender and urbanisation and culture;
• know and be able to use some of the techniques employed in development planning.

2 year/200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 6 years part-time

• one compulsory subject (usually completed in the first year of enrolment)
• 3 core subjects at 400 level and 3 core subjects at 500 level
• elective subjects to complete the total 200 points required
• Students must complete at least 100 points at 500-level

Students planning to enrol in a Minor Thesis must consult with the course coordinator prior to enrolment. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 50 points of subjects at the University of Melbourne and received an average of at least 75% for those subjects. Please see Minor Thesis Option below for more information.

Written permission from the course and subject coordinators must be obtained prior to enrolling in: Development Studies Minor Thesis, Governance & International Institutions

1 and half year/ 150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / up to 3 years part-time

• one compulsory subject (usually completed in the second semester of enrolment)
• at least three core subjects
• elective subjects to complete the total 150 points
• Students must complete at least 100 points of 500-level subjects

Students planning to enrol in a Minor Thesis must consult with the course coordinator prior to enrolment. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 50 points of subjects at the University of Melbourne and received an average of at least 75% for those subjects. Students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in the subject Field Methods for Development. There are a further two subjects that count as electives towards the overall masters degree but are considered core within the Minor Thesis option: Explanation & Understanding, and Directed Study in Development.

Written permission from the course and subject coordinators must be obtained prior to enrolling in: Development Studies Minor Thesis, Governance & International Institutions

1 year/100 point program (500 level, coursework only)

Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

• one compulsory subject
• at least two core subjects
• elective subjects to total 100 points

200 Point Program

First 100 points

Compulsory subject:

Core subjects (400- Level):

Elective subjects (400-level):*

Notes:

• Additional elective subjects may be selected from the second hundred points: see 100 point program structure below. Some cross-listed electives may require prerequisites and therefore students are advised to contact subject coordinators for approval

Second 100 points

Core subjects (500-level):

Elective subjects (500-level):

150 point program

First 50 points: see first 100 points of the 200 point program above for subjects

Remaining 100 points: see 100 point program structure below for subjects available at 500-level.

100 point program

(500 level, coursework only)

Compulsory subject:

Core subjects (500-level):

Elective subjects (500-level):

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria -

For the 200 point program

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and two years of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent.

For the 150 point program

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least one year of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least one year of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent.

For the 100 point program

• an honours degree in development studies/gender studies or a cognate discipline with a research component with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in development studies/gender studies or a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least two years of full time documented relevant professional work experience.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Documented evidence of relevant professional experience:
Applicants seeking admission into 100 and 150 point programs must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:

• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.

In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

Admission process

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability