Graduate Diploma in International Development

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Credit arrangements

Applicants who have completed the Flinders Graduate Certificate in International
Development, the Flinders Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming Policy & Analysis, or courses that are deemed equivalent, are eligible for 18 units of credit.

Course aims

The Graduate Diploma in International Development is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers where knowledge is required on the theoretical and policy issues in international development. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of current development policy areas and the development theories underpinning them. 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. Practicum topics are available which enable students to apply and reflect on their knowledge and skills.

The Graduate Diploma course provides a basis for continuing on to Masters level study within the graduate program, as well as providing a mid-career opportunity for practitioners to address major issues in development in greater depth and breadth.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course students should be able to:

demonstrate familiarity with contemporary theories in the field of development studies and a broad understanding of the socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental forces that shape developing countries
apply appropriate analytical tools and conceptual frameworks to contemporary development issues
contextualise socio-economic, political and environmental sustainability problems within the broader political and institutional context of development at the local, national and international level
demonstrate an awareness of gender and other inequalities that impact on development policies and programs
demonstrate a solid understanding of development issues and approaches in a specific field, such as international relations,environment, population studies, or public health
work collaboratively across cultures and linguistic diversity and with an awareness of gender and other aspects of diversity that affect development practices and experiences.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in International Development, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Core - Year 1 topics

GEOG8012 Development Problems and Solutions (4.5 units)*
GEOG9022 Debates in International Development (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  Gender, Globalisation and International Development GE (4.5 units)*

Elective - Year 1 topics

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

GEOG8030 Sustainable Development: Concepts and Principles GE (4.5 units)*
GEOG8712  Asian Regional Development GE (4.5 units)
GEOG9035 Work Integrated Learning (9 units)*
GEOG9035A  Work Integrated Learning (4.5 units)*
GEOG9050 Population Dynamics GE (4.5 units)
INTR9055  African Politics: Global Issues (4.5 units)
INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and International Development (4.5 units)
INTR9065A Policy Making on a Global Stage (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)*
POAD9131  Development Administration (4.5 units)*
POAD9135 Project Management (4.5 units)*

*Available in distance education mode

Note: Other topics may be taken with the approval of the course coordinator.

Every effort has been made to ensure the information published on the Course Rule pages is accurate at the time of publication. Flinders University reserves the right to amend its curriculum without prior notice, and will update the Course Rules to reflect any amendments at the earliest opportunity.