Qualification Regulations
Part I
These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Part II
Admission
1. Admission to the Master of International Development requires that the candidate will:
(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified; and shall have
(b) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Development Studies, with a B grade average or above across the 200 and 300 level specialisation courses; or
(c) have been awarded or qualified for any Bachelor’s degree, with a B grade average or above across the relevant 200 and 300 level courses, and have relevant field or industry experience of an appropriate kind and duration; or
(d) been awarded or qualified for a Postgraduate Diploma in International Development, or equivalent, with a B grade average or above.
Qualification requirements
2. Candidates for the Master of International Development shall follow a parts-based programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits comprising:
(a) completion of Part One and Part Two as detailed in the Schedule for the Qualification; and including
(b) any compulsory courses.
3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2 (b) candidates may, with the permission of the Academic Board or their delegate, be exempt from the requirement to complete the 131.707 Development Research Design if they have already completed a relevant research methods course at the same level, or have extensive research experience. Such candidates must complete an approved alternative 700-level course.
4. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, candidates admitted under Regulation 1(d) may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
Specialisations
5. The Master of International Development is awarded without a specialisation.
Student progression
6. For progression to Part Two in the Master of International Development (Coursework pathway) candidates must have achieved a B grade average across the first 120 credits of courses completed in Part One.
7. For progression to Part Two in the Master of International Development (Research Pathway), candidates must have achieved a B+ grade average across the first 120 credits of courses completed in Part One.
8. In cases of sufficient merit, the Degree of Master of International Development may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.
Completion requirements
9. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.
10. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for progression from Part One to Part Two, or who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in International Development or the Postgraduate Diploma in International Development should they meet the relevant qualification requirements.
Unsatisfactory academic progress
11. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.
Transitional provisions
12. All candidates who commenced study towards the Master of International Development on or after 1 January 2015 must satisfy the requirements as specified in these regulations.
13. Candidates who have completed at least 30 credits towards the Master of International Development prior to 1 January 2020 may be exempt from the requirement to complete 131.707 Development Research Design. This transition provision expires 31 December 2024.
Schedule for the Master of International Development
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Part One (Choose 120 credits from)
Compulsory courses (Choose 90 credits from)
Course code: 131701 Rethinking Development 30 credits
An interdisciplinary course that explores and critically reflects on the trajectories of development thought and the contemporary processes of international development. The main areas covered include: the origins and meaning of development; paradigmatic approaches to development; and contemporary approaches to development practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131702 Development Management 30 credits
An applied course dealing with the processes and methods for the planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes and projects. The course focuses on the managerial aspects and on the analytical tools that link contemporary policy frameworks and operational practices.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131707 Development Research Design 30 credits
An examination of research methods and ethical issues and their application in development studies.
View full course detailsSubject courses (Choose 30 credits from)
Course code: 131703 Gender and Development 30 credits
An examination of the interaction of gender difference, development planning and social change. Selected topics include empowerment and human rights, masculinities, the household, work, education, and health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131704 Sustainable Development 30 credits
A course concerned with the concept of sustainable development in all its dimensions (economic, social and environmental), focused on the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Conceptual lenses, including Indigenous understandings of sustainability and the sustainable livelihoods framework, are also discussed.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131706 Globalisation and Development 30 credits
An examination of three critical themes in globalisation and development: conflict (and post-conflict), migration, and tourism.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131708 Development Practicum 30 credits
Advanced study in development practice, involving 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency. As an integral part of the course, students will reflect on how this work can be understood in relation to current literature on development theory and practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294717 Human Security in Application 30 credits
This course examines critical analysis and application of human security in national and international contexts. This would allow the participants to understand and engage in a wide range of theoretical studies and practical projects on human security.
View full course detailsPart Two: Coursework Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 131897 Research Report International Development (60) 60 credits
A supervised scholarly research report in International Development.
View full course detailsPart Two: Research Pathway (Choose 120 credits from)
Course code: 131816 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131817 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131899 Thesis 120 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsLooking for a previous version of this regulation?