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.

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

• Six compulsory subjects (75 points)
• Minimum two Core Subjects (25 points)
• Elective Subjects to complete the total 200 points required (100 points)

Students must complete at least 100 points at postgraduate level

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

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• minimum 2 core subjects (25 points)
• elective subjects from the list for the 200 point program to complete the total 150 points required

Students must complete at least 100 points at postgraduate level

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

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)
• minimum two core subjects (25 points)
• elective subjects to complete the total 100 points required

Students must complete at least 100 points at postgraduate level

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

Upon completion of a minimum of 50 points in the 200 or 150 point programs, students may enrol in the Development Studies Minor Thesis (50 points). Course coordinator approval is required for entry to Minor Thesis. Students are strongly advised to consult the course coordinator for course and subject planning at an early stage of study.

Eligibility for application to the Minor Thesis is based on the following criteria:

• overall grade average of 75% or above in the first 50 points;
• Completion of pre-requisite subject Research Methods for Development;
• Submission of an application form which includes a thesis abstract, well structured research proposal, and an Ethics Checklist.

• Directed Study in Development
• Explanation & Understanding

Note: Students are expected to complete Explanation & Understanding in the first semester or prior to their commencement of the thesis, and to complete Directed Study in Development in first semester of their thesis. For students commencing their thesis mid-year who have not completed Explanation and Understanding in semester 1 of their study, they must seek the coordinator's approval for exemption.

Please note the thesis is taken over two consecutive semesters.

Compulsory subjects:

75 points

Note: Students usually complete Understanding Development; Development, Culture & Conflict and Poverty; Microfinance and Development in their first 100 points.

Core subjects:

Elective subjects:

Compulsory Subjects:

Core Subjects:

Elective Subjects:

Maximum 75 points

refer to the list of elective subjects for the 200 point program above

Compulsory Subjects:

Core Subjects:

Elective Subjects:

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

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.