Master of Development Studies

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Learn to understand and tackle global development challenges creatively, boldly and confidently with the Master of Development Studies.

In response to today's complex and rapidly changing environment, a degree in Development Studies equips students with specialist training to navigate global challenges and help shape a more just and sustainable future.

What is Development Studies?

Development Studies is an interdisciplinary field of research, teaching and practice that takes 'development challenges' as its central concern. It addresses the processes of social, cultural, ecological, economic and political change, and the people, organisations, practices and knowledges involved in driving that change.

As an interdisciplinary field, Development Studies integrates perspectives from disciplines such as Law, Anthropology, Sociology, Gender, Economics, Political Science and International Relations, Human Geography and Political Ecology, Critical Historical Studies, Environmental Humanities, Indigenous Studies and Decolonial and Postcolonial Studies, as well as some of the technical and natural sciences. Engagement across these disciplines adds to the methodological and theoretical rigour of Development Studies.

Why do a Master of Development Studies?

The Master of Development Studies gives you specialist training in development tools, practices and policies, along with the critical and reflexive skills to design and implement them ethically.

In your studies, you'll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address some of the most urgent and relevant challenges in contemporary development - including inequality and poverty, human rights, migration and displacement, coloniality, localisation, disasters and climate justice, conflict and security, sustainability and gender injustices.

You'll engage firsthand with insights from a range of academics and experts, and the program is designed in consultation with an Advisory Board of current senior leaders in the development sector at organisations such as the International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) and Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG).

You'll refine transferable skills that are crucial to delivering effective and inclusive development programs, including:

• Critical analysis
• Reflexivity
• Policy evaluation
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Research methods
• Project design and management
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy

You can also specialise in the optional Gender and Development stream, which guides you through gender and development theories whilst tackling the practical concerns of gendered policy and programming within government and non-government organisations.

At professional practice seminars, research workshops, careers events, and alumni get-togethers, you'll connect with leading policy makers and experts in the international development sector.

You'll also have opportunities to undertake an internship with a development organisation, or an international exchange with one of our esteemed global partners under the Melbourne Global Mobility program, or undertake an internship placement with a domestic or international development agency.

Who is the Master of Development Studies for?

Our Master of Development Studies is for anyone who wants to learn, reflect and implement creative solutions to the challenging and evolving field of development. The program is ideal for those wanting to reposition themselves as change agents and enablers in the development sector and beyond.

You can be from any disciplinary background working in or alongside the global development sector, including managers, planners, policymakers, consultants, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, medical practitioners, allied health professionals, civil servants, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and community advocates.

If you want to transform your career to drive impact and influence, this masters program is for you.