Graduate coursework

Anthropology

The School offers access to undergraduate Anthropology subjects via the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Anthropology) and the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Anthropology). These programs aim to provide a general understanding of key concepts and issues in Anthropology.

Graduates from other institutions who have majored in Anthropology are eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Anthropology) which is equivalent to an honours program and provides a pathway to higher degree research for students who have not completed a four year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a research component in Anthropology.

The Faculty of Arts administers entry to graduate coursework programs. For more information please visit the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences website.

Please consult links to the University course and subject Handbook for official course descriptions:

Development Studies

The School offers access to undergraduate Development Studies subjects via the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Development Studies), the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Development Studies). These programs aim to provide a general understanding of key concepts and issues in Development Studies and also provide the opportunity to undertake an Internship project.

One or two Development Studies subjects can also be taken via the University's Community Access Program (CAP).

Graduates from other institutions who have majored in Development Studies or a cognate discipline are eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) which is equivalent to the honours program and provides a pathway to higher degree research for students who have not completed a four year BA (Honours) with a research component in Development Studies.

The Master of Development Studies by Coursework and Minor Thesis is available to honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies' graduates as a one-year coursework only program. The Master of Development Studies is also available as a two year (200 credit point) or a one and a half year (150 credit point) program.

This course is designed for graduates who are seeking careers in government institutions (such as AusAID, DFID, USAID) national and international non-government organisations (NGOs), the United Nations institutions (UNDP, UNHCR etc.) and international financial institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the IMF.

The Master of Development Studies course provides students with sound grounding in key concepts and theories of development, critical thinking, research methodologies, development research experience and practical skills relevant to a career in development. It provides students with a balance of development theory, practice and substantive issues (civil society, NGOs, governance, poverty, gender) and debates of contemporary relevance to the developing world. The relevant professional skills development is provided through ‘work placement’ subjects such as Local and International Internships that incorporate ‘industry partnerships’, and professional skills subjects such as Project Management and Design, Monitoring and Evaluation in Development, Management in Development A and Management in Development B. The course provides an entry point to a career in development. This course does not necessarily lead to higher degree study, however high achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to a masters by research or PhD.

The Master of Development Studies (Gender and Development) stream is especially relevant to those with an interest in pursuing careers in fields related to gender and development. The stream provides students with a firm grounding both in recent theorizing about gender and development and in practical concerns surrounding planning for gender in development projects within government and non-government organisations.

The Faculty of Arts administers entrance to the coursework programs. For more information, please visit the Bachelor of Arts Fields of Study web page.

Please consult links to the University course and subject Handbook for official course descriptions:

Internship information

Development Studies internship program

The Master of Development Studies course is one of the key loci of the Development Studies Program and students who are selected for internship placements have typically completed core masters' level subjects in theories and understandings of development, critical analysis, cross-cultural sensitivity, vocational and applied research skills and have an appreciation of the complex and varied approaches to development both locally and globally. We also have a wide range of graduate students applying for internships in related fields and disciplines, including environmental studies, public policy, international studies, gender, and politics.

The Development Studies Program recognizes the considerable skills, enthusiasm and commitment of graduate students to broaden their educational experience and increase their understanding of current development related practices. The broad aim of the internship program therefore is to provide the opportunity for graduate students to gain invaluable practical experience and build their individual 'industry' networks in order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature and expectations of work in their chosen field or area of interest.

Application process and further information: Internship project web page.

Human Research Ethics

Graduate coursework students undertaking research that involves interviews and/or questionnaires may need to submit an ethics application to the School Human Ethics Advisory Group (SHEAG). Such an application needs to be approved BEFORE commencing your research. It is recommended that honours students aim to submit their ethics applications either to the April SHEAG meeting or, for mid-year entry, the October SHEAG meeting. For further information, consult your supervisor, refer to the Office for Research Ethics and Integrity website and visit the School's Ethics clearance for research web page.

Research supervision

The School's Research supervisors web page provides information on academic staff research and supervision areas.

University Policy documents

For information on University policies and guidelines in connection with your studies, please refer to the Melbourne Policy Library website.

Faculty of ArtsSchool of Social and Political Sciences

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