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 4 years part-time

Coursework Option

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

Coursework with Minor Thesis Option*

• Six Compulsory subjects (75 points)
• Electives totalling 125 points which include:
• DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies (50 points)
• DEVT40004 Directed Study in Development (12.5 points)
• DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points)
• Other Elective subjects (50 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

Coursework Option

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

Coursework with Minor Thesis Option*

• Four Compulsory subjects (50 points)
• Electives totalling 100 points which include:
• DEVT90011 Minor Thesis - Development Studies (50 points)
• DEVT40004 Directed Study in Development (12.5 points)
• DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points)
• Other Elective subjects (25 points)

Students must complete at least 100 points at postgraduate level.

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

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

Students must complete all 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 into Minor Thesis. Students are strongly advised to consult the course coordinator for course and subject planning at an early stage of study no later than by end of first semester.

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 DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development;
• Submission of an application form which includes a thesis abstract, a well structured research proposal, and an Ethics Checklist.

Additional Requirements for undertaking the Minor Thesis include the following co-requisite subject:

• DEVT40004 Directed Study in Development

Note: Students are expected to complete to complete DEVT40004 Directed Study in Development in the first semester of their thesis. Please note the thesis is taken over two consecutive semesters.

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.

200 Point Program

Coursework Option

Compulsory subjects:

100 points

Note: It is strongly reccomended that students should aim to complete the compulsory component in their first 100 points

Elective subjects:

Maximum 100 points: up to 25 points of language study may be included as electives in the 200-point program or the 150-point program.

Coursework with Minor Thesis Option

Compulsory subjects:

75 points

Elective subjects:

125 points

Students undertaking the Minor Thesis must include DEVT40004 Directed Study in Development (12.5 points) and DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points) as part of electives. The Thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.

For the remaining 50 points, refer to the full list of Elective subjects available under the 200 Point Program (Coursework Option) above.

150 Point Program

Coursework Option

Compulsory Subjects:

75 points

Elective Subjects:

75 points

For the full list of Elective subjects available, refer to the 200 Point Program (Coursework Option) above.

Coursework with Minor Thesis Option

Compulsory subjects:

50 points

Elective subjects:

100 points

Students undertaking the Minor Thesis must include DEVT40004 Directed Study in Development (12.5 points) and DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points) as part of electives. The Thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.

For the remaining 25 points, refer to the full list of Elective subjects available under the 200 Point Program (Coursework Option) above.

100 Point Program

Compulsory Subjects:

50 points

Elective Subjects:

50 points

Note: In the 100 points course, students need to select postgraduate level elective subjects to meet the requirement of 50 points of electives.

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.