Development Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts

Transform lives with development studies. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in development studies without completing a second bachelor’s degree.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand
Note: Not all courses are available in any given year

Specialise in Development Studies for your Graduate Diploma in Arts at Massey

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to get the equivalent of a major in development studies. You can then go on to a postgraduate qualification in development studies if you wish.

Help transform lives

In this qualification you’ll analyse and gain an understanding of the processes transforming people's lives throughout the world.

Development studies seeks to understand differences. It examines key development issues and ideas. It also introduces skills to help solve development problems.

You’ll study a number of subjects. That will help you understand the complexities involved in understanding the differences countries face in solving development problems.

Further study

If you successfully complete your Graduate Diploma in Arts, you could go on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts or a Master of Arts.

A Graduate Diploma in Arts in Development Studies is a good fit if you:

  • have a bachelor’s degree and want to expand your horizons
  • wish to develop your interest in development studies
  • are interested in pursuing postgraduate study.

Planning information

If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in one year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.

Not all courses are available in any one year.

100-level prerequisites

When you are granted entry to the qualification, you are not required to pass any 100-level prerequisite course/s for the specialisation. You may need to apply for 200-level courses using the Special Request function in Course Enrolment in your student portal if your previous study was not completed at Massey. If you plan to take any electives in subjects such as Languages, Economics, Mathematics or Statistics, you will need to meet the 100-level prerequisite requirements.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

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.

Compulsory courses

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 131221 Global Development Issues 15 credits

This interdisciplinary course investigates contemporary global development. This course will explain different approaches to development and will explore a choice of topical themes that highlight problems and some of the strategies involved in addressing global concerns.

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Course code: 131321 Strategies for Sustainable Development 15 credits

A consideration of concepts, processes, practices, and possible strategies for sustainable development at global, national and community levels. Special attention is paid to examples of strategies that seek more sustainable livelihoods.

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Subject courses

Choose no more than 15 credits from
Course code: 145203 Geographies of Inequality 15 credits

This course will consider how economic and social inequality is reproduced across space.

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Course code: 146205 Environmental Anthropology 15 credits

An exploration of contemporary approaches in environmental anthropology.

Restrictions: 146318

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Course code: 176216 Globalisation in a digital world 15 credits

This course examines the intersecting material, social, and digital complexities of late capitalism in the context of increasing conditions of globalisation and glocalisation. Using a variety of sociological optics, the course aims to assist students to develop critical understandings that will enable them to be constructive contributors to their future worlds.

Restrictions: 176316

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Course code: 176218 Race, Nation and Modernity 15 credits

A review of the development of ideas of race and nation from the early modern era in Europe through to their world-wide crisis of the twentieth century including contemporary attempts to move beyond race via the concepts of ethnicity and indigeneity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Course code: 176223 Social Inequality and Justice 15 credits

An examination of how social structures create inequalities with a focus on gender, class, and ethnic diversities and identities and how claims for social transformation are made.

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Course code: 200201 Middle Eastern Politics 15 credits

An examination of the contemporary politics of the Middle East, including North Africa.

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Course code: 294202 Human Security 15 credits

This course explores the theory and practice of security from multiple perspectives including individual, community, social, economic and environmental.

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Choose at least 45 credits from
Course code: 145311 Geographies of Globalisation 15 credits

The course explores processes of globalisation emphasising spaces and agents of global change, and global-local connections across a variety of topics.

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Course code: 176308 Sociology of the Environment 15 credits

An advanced examination of the interconnections between society and the environment with a particular emphasis on the roles of science and politics in the creation of environmental knowledge and practice.

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Course code: 178370 Development Economics 15 credits

An examination of major development problems and issues, both domestic and international, from a combined economic theory, empirical and policy-oriented perspective.

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Course code: 179320 Community Development 15 credits

An examination of the fundamental theories, principles and definitions of community development. Individual, group and community action is examined with emphasis on the relationship between individual and social change.

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Course code: 200301 Contemporary International Conflict 15 credits

An examination of contemporary international conflict drawing on case studies from around the world.

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Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

You’ll gain the skills and experience to begin your career in a wide range of government, non-government, multilateral and private sector spheres. That could be in organisations such as Red Cross, World Vision, the New Zealand Aid Programme, United Nations Development Programme and Caritas.

  • adviser in tourism, health, education or agriculture
  • advocacy officer
  • community affairs officer
  • development officer
  • diplomat
  • human rights adviser
  • policy analyst.

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