The Master of Social Science (International Development) program is designed to provide development professionals, and those wishing to embark on a career in international development, with the skills and knowledge they need to work in a complex and changing environment.

The program aims to:

improve knowledge and understanding of development issues across the world, especially focusing on underprivileged communities in developing and developed countries;
improve understanding of issues and challenges that confront these communities and countries, and processes that regulate such phenomenon in an era of globalisation;
improve specific professional skills, required to have a broader understanding of the development sector and during planning, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; and,

help students develop advocacy skills; gain familiarity with tendering process and develop practical skills in designing and delivering training workshops..

Why Study International Development?
More than one billion people live in absolute poverty. They do not have sufficient food to eat each day, have no access to clean water or sanitation, die from preventable illness, and have limited rights as human beings. This program addresses the issues of international development and provides students with an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge to assist them in making the world a better and equitable place for the future. Students not only study the theories explaining various models of development but also policies and practices emanating from various development models as well as critiquing competing power dynamics in development discourses. They understand gender dynamics and health issues and how these issues keep communities and countries in adisadvantaged position. They debate macro and micro finance and its relevance for development economics. Students contest the politics of development and how global systems disadvantage certain countries while at the same time giving an edge to others. The scope of the program is not limited to community development as the focus remains on understanding and making sense of the bigger picture of the world before designing and implementing development models at local level.

Special Features of the Program
A special feature of the program is its industry links. Not only has industry input been a key factor in the design of many courses, but formal links with key industry players have been established.

These links will allow students to gain relevant and practical industry skills while completing their degrees.

General information is available at Postgraduate Study at RMIT

Duration

The Masters program incorporates the Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate qualifications.

Masters: one and a half years full-time or three years part-time
Graduate Diploma: one year full-time or two years part-time
Graduate Certificate: six months full-time or one year part-time
On-campus or off-campus study mode available
Courses taught within the program combine a mixture of theoretical and empirical material. The program is multi-disciplinary, drawing principally on economics, cultural studies, sociology, politics, history and environmental studies.

Pathways

Candidates with previous postgraduate study and/or significant professional experience mayapply for credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For example, a successful applicant with a Graduate Diploma (in a relevant field), a four-year honours degree or similar can complete the Master in less than three semesters full-time or four semesters of part-time study.

Career Prospects

Employment in the development sector is very competitive; however, our graduates have an edge over others due to the professional skills gained through the program. Some of our recent graduates work in non-government organisations in Australia and overseas, as well as various government agencies and other multilateral organisations in various places around the world. Our students range from recent graduates seeking to enter the development sector as their initial career, to those currently working in the sector seeking to enhance their skills and qualifications, and those with established careers in other fields seeking to enter the development sector with a passion for improving the world. The International Development program opens up career avenues in Australia and overseas within the development and public sector. Past graduates work in agencies such as World Vision Australia, Oxfam, TEAR, Save the Children Plan, Australian Red Cross and AUSAID in a variety of roles. Graduates have gained placements with the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program in developing countries in South Asia, South–East Asia, Asia–Pacific, Africa and South America. It is possible for students to use this program as the first step in advancing to PhD research.

Professional Recognition

A key feature of this degree is its industry links. Industry input has helped design many of the courses. Formal links with key industry people have been established, enabling students to gain relevant and practical industry experience during their candidature at RMIT.

Entrance Requirements

A recognised university qualification and/or relevant work experience and a demonstrable capacity to pursue study at a postgraduate level.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants' skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Click here for further information.

Application Procedures

Timely applications for postgraduate coursework programs are due by:
10 November each year (Semester 1)*
31 May each year (Semester 2/Midyear entry)*

* Note: Applications will continue to be accepted until all places have been filled. You are encouraged to lodge your application early.
Future students may enquire through Info Corner (formerly the Office for Prospective Students) at any time.

Apply via:RMIT direct application form
Info Corner (formerly the Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. +61 3 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries.

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Fees

Fees for 2009:Masters: AU$10,560 per year full-time.

Tuition fees are subject to annual adjustment and are not fixed for the duration of your study. Changes to fees are applied from 1 January each year. Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered/fullfees

Programs by coursework are offered on a Fee Paying Places (FFP) basis. A limited number of coursework programs and all honours programs have Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) (previously HECS).

Fee Paying Places (FPP)
FPP students are required to pay the complete cost of their program. FPP fees vary according to each program.

Students offered a FPP maybe eligible for the FEE-HELP (FEE-Higher Education Loan Program) scheme, which enables eligible fee paying students to obtain an interest-free loan up to a maximum value of $80,000 from the Commonwealth Government to pay all or part of their tuition fees.

For further information: www.goingtouni.gov.au

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees will range between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Calculating tuition costs for Commonwealth supported students

Postgraduate Coursework Commonwealth Supported Equity Places
RMIT has a limited number of government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) in full-fee postgraduate coursework programs for applicants who meet entrance and equity criteria. Instead of paying full-fees either upfront or with a FEE-HELP loan, the CSP Equity place allows students to complete their program as a Commonwealth supported student in a subsidised place with a choice of up-front, partial up-front or deferred payment options.

For further information: www.rmit.edu.au/equity

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

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Program Structure

The Master of Social Science (International Development) consists of 144 credit points and incorporates exit points at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma levels. Students can also enrol directly into these intermediate awards. Students graduating with the Master degree must have completed Theories of Development, Practising Development, Gender Issues in Development and International NGOs, Civil Society and Development.

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

Dr Tahmina Rashid
Program coordinator
Tel. +61 3 9925 2960
Email: tahmina.rashid@rmit.edu.au

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Owning School

Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.