Glossary

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Development Studies - 8942

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: Dr Krishna K. Shrestha

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

The following information applies to students commencing from 2017.

If you commenced prior to 2017, please refer to the following links for your stream requirements:

International Development A (1 year)

International Development B (1.5 years)

Refugees & Displacement A (1 year)

Refugees & Displacement B (1.5 years)

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.

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 has three different streams depending on your existing qualifications: the 1 year stream (A) requires completion of 48 units of credit over 1 year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); the 1.5 year stream (B) requires completion of 72 units of credit over 1.5 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); and the 2 year stream (C) requires completion of 96 units of credit over 2 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent). Please see below for more information on entry requirements.

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.

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 social and community development for professionals wanting to enter the field.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are as follows:

For the 1 year stream (A)

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

For the 1.5 year stream (B)

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%

Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Work; Psychology/Psychological Science.

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.

For the 2 year stream (C)

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

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, up to 24 UOC credit transfer for the 1 year stream, 36 UOC credit transfer for the 1.5 year stream, and 48 UOC credit transfer for the 2 year stream.

Award with Excellence

You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.