The Master of International Development is a 72-unit program which is part of the Graduate Program in International Development. The program can be completed over two years of full-time study, or 4 years of part-time study. It is designed for those who want to
- advance their capacity to understand and apply a vast array of information on the problems of development, and
- acquire the research knowledge and skills required for entry into a PhD program or research focused employment.
Delivery modes
The 72-unit Master International Development is offered face to face on the Flinders University campus. A number of its constituent core and elective topics are also offered in distance mode.
Articulation
The Master International Development forms part of an approved sequence of articulated programs comprising graduate program in International Development. Students enrolled in an articulated program may progress to Masters level with full credit for courses completed in earlier programs in the sequence. They may also use these same degrees as early exit points provided they satisfy the requirements of these degrees.
Admission requirements
Basic level entry: Students will complete 72 units of work. Applicants must hold a recognised bachelor degree, with a GPA of 5 or better, in a Social Sciences or Humanities related field from an approved tertiary institution. Students must obtain a GPA of 6 or better over at least 18 units of coursework, including DVST9023 Research Practice, to enrol in the research thesis component DVST9118 International Development Research Thesis.
Advanced level entry: Students who have completed at least 18 units of the Master of Arts (International Development), including DVST9023 Research Practice, with a GPA of 6 are eligible to transfer into the Master of International Development and complete the remaining units of the program.
Course aims
The course aims to develop critical awareness, knowledge and skills required for careers in the public, private and non-governmental sector organisations that operate in international development or international affairs.
It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of current development issues and policies areas the theories that inform them. Students will develop a broad range of research skills and apply them in a substantial piece of individual scholarship.
Students will be able to pursue specialist knowledge in a variety of related disciplines including environmental studies, international relations, population studies, public health, public policy and management, and gender studies. A selection of topics focusing on specific countries and regions is available. Practicum topics are offered which enable students to apply their knowledge and skills.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course students should be able to:
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary theories in the field of development studies and the socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental forces that shape developing countries
- demonstrate advanced skills in interpreting critically a vast array of information on the problems of development
- plan and execute a substantial research project
- work collaboratively across cultures and linguistic diversity and with a well-developed awareness of gender and other diversity aspects that affect development practices and experiences
Program of study
All applicants must submit to the Director of Studies a satisfactory proposal for a coherent program of studies.
To qualify for The Master of International Development, a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:
Core - Year 1 & 2 topics
DVST8010 Development Problems, Policies and Programs (4.5 units)*
DVST9013 Applied Development Studies (4.5 units)*
DVST9022 Theory and Evidence in Contemporary Development (4.5 units)*
DVST9023 Research Practice in Development Studies (4.5 units)*
DVST8042 Global Inequality (4.5 units)
DVST9118 International Development Research Thesis (18 units)
Students must complete at least one of the following topics:
DVST9031 Gender Analysis (4.5 units)*
DVST9032 Gender Mainstreaming (4.5 units)*
WMST8003 The Global Woman: Introduction to Gender and Development (4.5 units)*
Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 72 units) from the following list of elective topics. Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Elective - Year 1 & 2 topics
DVST8701 Sustainable Development GE (4.5 units)*
DVST9035 International Development Practicum (9 units)*
DVST9035A International Development Practicum (4.5 units)*
DVST9035B International Development Practicum (13.5 units)*
DVST9036 Supervised Study in International Development (4.5 units)
DVST9038 Environment and Development in Asia (4.5 units)
GEOG8712 Asian Regional Development GE (4.5 units)
INTR9051 International Human Rights: Theory and Practice (4.5 units)
INTR9055 African Politics: Global Issues (4.5 units)
INTR9059 Intensive Summer School on Global Citizenship (4.5 units)
INTR9061 Governance and the new Political Economy of East Asia (4.5 units)
INTR9062 Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development (4.5 units)
INTR9076 Food Security (4.5 units)
PHCA9505 Primary Health Care Practice in Developing Countries (9 units)*
POAD9026 Management in Non-Government Organisations (4.5 units)*
POAD9030 Indigenous Issues in Public Policy (4.5 units)*
POAD9119 Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance (4.5 units)*
POAD9131 Development Administration (4.5 units)*
POAD9135 Project Management (4.5 units)*
POLI9004 The Politics of Climate Change (4.5 units)
PPHR9701 Population Studies (4.5 units)
PPHR9741 Women''s Health and Child Survival (4.5 units)
PPHR9742 Population and Environment (4.5 units)
WMST8008 Engendering Justice, Rights, and Representation: Gender, State and Citizenship (4.5 units)
WMST9015 Women''s Studies: Research Strategies (4.5 units)
* These topics are also available by distance education.
Note: Other topics may be taken with the approval of the course coordinator.