Master of Development Studies

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.

200 Point Program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

Coursework Option

• Compulsory subjects (100 points)
• Elective subjects (100 points)

Coursework with Minor Thesis Option

• Compulsory subjects (150 points)
• Elective subjects (50 points)

Please note: the minor thesis must be taken over two consecutive semesters

150 point program

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

Coursework Option

• Compulsory subjects (75 points)
• Elective subjects (75 points)

Coursework with Minor Thesis Option*

• Compulsory subjects (125 points)
• Electives subjects (25 points)

Please note: the minor thesis must be taken over two consecutive semesters

100 point program

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

• Compulsory subjects (50 points)
• Elective subjects (50 points)

*Minor Thesis Option (available only in 200 or 150 point program)

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework. Students also should also refer to information in the Student Policy Directory.

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 any discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.

For the 150 point program

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

For the 100 point program

• an honours degree in development studies or in any discipline with research component of relevance to development and a grade average of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) 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 equested.

Admission process

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students who complete the thesis option may be eligible for entry into the PhD.

Students who complete the masters will:

• comprehend the relations between development, environmental conditions and health, globalisation and development, culture and development, and gender, globalisation and development.