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 Master of Development Studies should:

• 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

The Master of Development Studies 200 point program requires:

• six compulsory subjects (75 points)

Coursework Only Option

• 125 points of elective subjects

or

Minor Thesis Option

• DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies (50 points)
• DEVT90041 Research Methods in Development (12.5 points)
• 62.5 points of elective subjects

150 point program

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

The Master of Development Studies 150 point program requires:

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)

Coursework Only Option

• 100 points of elective subjects

or

Minor Thesis Option

• DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies (50 points)
• DEVT90041 Research Methods in Development (12.5 points)
• 37.5 points of electives subjects

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

The Master of Development Studies 100 point program requires:

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)

Coursework Only Option

• 75 points of elective subjects

or

Minor Thesis Option

• DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies (50 points)
• DEVT90041 Research Methods in Development (12.5 points)
• 12.5 points of elective subjects

Please note the following prior to enrolling in DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies:

• students admitted into the 200 point and 150 point program must have completed 37.5 points of compulsory subjects within the program, with an average of H1 (80%)
• to be eligible to enrol in the thesis, students must submit a 300 word thesis proposal for approval by the course coordinator prior to the semester of enrolment in the thesis
• students enrolling in the minor thesis must also complete DEVT90041 Research Methods in Development
• the minor thesis must be completed over two consecutive semesters

Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (25 points). Students must complete one capstone option:

Capstone Stream 1: DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points) and DEVT90048 Workshop in Research for Development (12.5 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to develop research skills and apply those skills in a workshop setting.

Capstone Stream 2: Co-requisites: DEVT90002 Internship in Development (12.5 points) and DEVT90001 Project Management & Design (12.5 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to acquire practical skills in development practice and project management and apply this knowledge to solve problems that arise in a professional context and develop an integrated understanding of knowledge and practice.

Capstone Stream 3: DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies (50 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a specific development research question.

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. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and

• relevance of previous studies.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Admission and Selection into Course Policy.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

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

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

• an honours degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; or

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.

Applicants seeking credit for relevant work experience must document their experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.

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.