Development Studies - 8942
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Contact: Professor Anthony Zwi
Campus: Sydney
Career: Postgraduate
Typical Duration: 2 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 96
Award(s):
Master of Development Studies (Specialisation)
View program information for previous years
Program Description
THIS PROGRAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2015 ONWARDS.
The program will offer the 72 units of credit (UOC) stream (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent) and the 48 UOC stream (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent). The 96 UOC stream (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent) will not be offered until 2017.
The Master of Development Studies (MDS) is offered by the School of Social Sciences and is a flexible and interactive program that provides specialist studies in international development at the local, national and international level. It is based on a philosophy of human rights, social justice, community development and participatory approaches.
The program will provide you with the knowledge base and analytical framework to understand and negotiate the complexities of the geopolitical, economic, social, ethical and cultural contexts in which development takes place. You will be equipped with practical professional skills which may be applied to a diverse array of career options which relate to development. The Master of Development Studies will be of value to those who see themselves playing a role in understanding and promoting development, whether from a community, government, civil society, donor or other organisational role.
Students may take elect to pursue one of the following streams:
The Master of Development Studies (MDS) is offered by the School of Social Sciences and is a flexible and interactive program that provides specialist studies in international development at the local, national and international level. It is based on a philosophy of human rights, social justice, community development and participatory approaches.
The program will provide you with the knowledge base and analytical framework to understand and negotiate the complexities of the geopolitical, economic, social, ethical and cultural contexts in which development takes place. You will be equipped with practical professional skills which may be applied to a diverse array of career options which relate to development. The Master of Development Studies will be of value to those who see themselves playing a role in understanding and promoting development, whether from a community, government, civil society, donor or other organisational role.
Students may take elect to pursue one of the following streams:
International Development
The overall goal of this stream is to offer a graduate degree in development practice with an international focus. In this stream, you will develop substantial knowledge and a range of skills related to the planning, delivery and management of programs relevant to international and local social and community development, aid work (policy and practice) and human rights. The program also encourages critique of the politics, policies and research methods related to this field.
Refugees and Displacement
The overall goal of this stream is to offer a graduate degree in development practice with a focus on refugees and other displaced persons. In this stream, you will develop substantial knowledge and a range of skills related to the planning and delivery of programs relevant to international and local social and community development work with refugees and other displaced persons.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge
Graduates will have an advanced knowledge relevant to international development and will possess an ability to apply this in a diverse range of contexts and environments.
2. Research-based learning
Graduates will have acquired significant knowledge and skills in research methodologies specific to the development discipline and through the application of these will have developed an in depth understanding of a core area of development theory and practice.
3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking
Graduates will have developed advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills relevant to development.
4. Communication and adaptive skills
Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply the principles, practices and skills learnt and be reflective, adaptive and ethical learners and professional practitioners.
5. Global outlook
Graduates will have an understanding of both local and global issues in the field of development studies.
Graduates will have an advanced knowledge relevant to international development and will possess an ability to apply this in a diverse range of contexts and environments.
2. Research-based learning
Graduates will have acquired significant knowledge and skills in research methodologies specific to the development discipline and through the application of these will have developed an in depth understanding of a core area of development theory and practice.
3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking
Graduates will have developed advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills relevant to development.
4. Communication and adaptive skills
Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply the principles, practices and skills learnt and be reflective, adaptive and ethical learners and professional practitioners.
5. Global outlook
Graduates will have an understanding of both local and global issues in the field of development studies.
Career Opportunities
The program is designed to address the continuing education needs of specialists in development as well as to provide a general orientation to the field of international development and/or development work with refugees and other displaced persons.
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements are as follows:
For the 1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
- Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
For the 1 year (48 UOC) stream
- Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Work.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.
* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.
* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Credit Transfer
If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit Transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, a maximum of 24 UOC credit transfer for the 48 UOC stream and a maximum of 36 UOC credit transfer for the 72 UOC stream.
Program Structure
MDS 1.5 year (72 UOC) stream (International Development or Refugees and Displacement)
- Core Courses (36 UOC)
- Advanced Disciplinary Course (6 - 18 UOC)
- Prescribed Electives (18 - 30 UOC)
MDS 1 year (48 UOC) stream (International Development or Refugees and Displacement)
- Core Courses (24 UOC)
- Advanced Disciplinary Course (6 - 18 UOC)
- Prescribed Electives (6 - 18 UOC)
ARTS5503 Academic Writing (6 UOC)
This course can be taken as an additional course for students wishing to develop their academic writing skills. It will not count towards the program requirements. Click here for further details about the course.
This course can be taken as an additional course for students wishing to develop their academic writing skills. It will not count towards the program requirements. Click here for further details about the course.
Academic Rules
1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
- Enrol in the Master of Development Studies and complete 72 UOC
- Complete 6 Core Courses (36 UOC)
- Complete 1 Advanced Disciplinary Course (6 - 18 UOC)
- Complete 3 - 5 Prescribed Electives (18 - 30 UOC)
1 year (48 UOC) stream
- Enrol in the Master of Development Studies and complete 48 UOC
- Complete 4 Core Courses (24 UOC)
- Complete 1 Advanced Disciplinary Course (6 - 18 UOC)
- Complete 1 - 3 Prescribed Electives (6 - 18 UOC)
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
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