Master of Arts (International Development) by coursework

Admission requirements

The Master of Arts (International Development) requires the completion of 54 units of work, and is normally available to applicants with a recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a GPA of 4 or better with a specialisation in anthropology, development studies, economics, international relations, geography, gender studies, economics, politics or sociology. International applicants must additionally be able to demonstrate an IELTS Test score of 6 overall.

Advanced entry (1 year) applicants may be eligible to complete a program of 36 units of work if they

have completed a recognised Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a specialisation in anthropology, development studies, economics, international relations, geography, gender studies, economics, politics or sociology, with a GPA of 5 or better, and a minimum one year full-time (or equivalent) work experience in a development studies related area;
have completed the 18-unit Flinders University Graduate Certificate in International Development, or the Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming Policy and Analysis. Credit may be granted, on application, for relevant work already completed in other approved programs that satisfy the requirements of a Level 8 qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
International applicants must additionally be able to demonstrate an IELTS Test score of 6.5 overall, with no sub-score lower than 6.

Advanced entry (0.5 year) applicants may be eligible to complete a program of 18 units of work if they have completed the 36-unit Flinders University Graduate Diploma in International Development. Credit may be granted, on application, for relevant work already completed in other approved programs that satisfy the requirements of a Level 8 qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

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 their application of research skills to international development issues. Practicum topics are offered which enable students to apply and reflect on their knowledge and skills.

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.

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
apply appropriate analytical tools and conceptual frameworks to understand development issues in specific fields
constructively address these issues within the broader political and institutional context of international development at local, national and international levels
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

54-unit pathway

All applicants must submit to the Program Approver a satisfactory proposal for a coherent program of studies.

To qualify for the Master of Arts (International Development), a student must complete 54 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)*
INTR9077 Global Inequality (4.5 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 GE (4.5 units)*

Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 54 units) from the following list of elective topics. Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

DVST8701 Sustainable Development GE (4.5 units)*
DVST9035  International Development Practicum (9 units)*
DVST9035A  International Development Practicum (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)
INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and International Development (4.5 units)
INTR9065A  Policy Making on a Global Stage (4.5 units)
INTR9076 Food Security (4.5 units)
INTR9078 Governing East Asia in the 21st Century (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)*
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)
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.

Master of Arts (International Development) [1 year]

All applicants must submit to the Program Approver a satisfactory proposal for a coherent program of studies. To qualify for the Master of Arts (International Development), a student must complete 36 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

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)*

Students must complete at least one of the following topics:

DVST9031 Gender Analysis (4.5 units)*
DVST9032 Gender Mainstreaming (4.5 units)*

Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 36 units) from the following list of elective topics. Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

DVST8010  Development Problems, Policies and Programs (4.5 units)*
DVST8701 Sustainable Development GE (4.5 units)*
DVST9035  International Development Practicum (9 units)*
DVST9035A  International Development Practicum (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)
INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and International Development (4.5 units)
INTR9065A  Policy Making on a Global Stage (4.5 units)
INTR9076 Food Security (4.5 units)
INTR9077 Global Inequality (4.5 units)*
INTR9078   Governing East Asia in the 21st Century (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)
WMST8003  The Global Woman: Introduction to Gender and Development GE (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.

Master of Arts (International Development) [0.5 year]

All applicants must submit to the Program Approver a satisfactory proposal for a coherent program of studies. To qualify for the Master of Arts (International Development), a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

Core - Year 1 topics

DVST9013 Applied Development Studies (4.5 units)*
DVST9023 Research Practice in Development Studies (4.5 units)*

Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 18 units) from the following list of elective topics. Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.