Master of International and Community Development

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Master of International and Community Development
Course Map	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023: Stream 1: Combined Stream - International Development and Community Development Stream 2: International Development Stream 3: Community Development These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023: Stream 1: Combined Stream - International Development and Community Development Stream 2: International Development Stream 3: Community Development These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023: Stream 1: Combined Stream - International Development and Community Development Stream 2: International Development Stream 3: Community Development Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Online	Yes
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Deakin course code	A765
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Set yourself up for career progression in an evolving field by studying the Master of International and Community Development. With new expertise, you’ll be able to take the lead on development programs that promote justice, reduce poverty and create environments for people to lead sustainable, fulfilling lives.

Tomorrow’s development opportunities require new ways of thinking. Want the practical experience needed to respond to future challenges in creative, culturally sensitive ways?

Deakin’s Master of International and Community Development is the largest, longest running and most reputable course of its type in Australia. Our academic staff have extensive professional experience within the sector and course content is finely tuned to the state of local and global events that impact development – just two of the reasons why our graduates are better prepared for their current and future roles. The course fosters your passion for social justice, sustainable development and human rights. At the same time, it provides professional development opportunities that take your career forward. Plus, you’ll be studying on our premium online learning platform, giving you the flexibility to fit your degree around your work.

You can tailor the degree to your interests and career goals by choosing from three study streams:

international development stream
community development stream
combined stream (international and community development)

Adding to your study options is a broad range of elective units. Select topics that matter to you, from policy and advocacy to food security and gender development and create a degree that’s built just for you.

You’ll explore a range of issues, including poverty, empowerment, inequality and environmental vulnerability, then learn how to design, resource and implement initiatives that respond to these challenges. You’ll develop skills through assessment tasks that simulate the sort of work you’ll be doing on real development projects and campaigns. Hands-on learning opportunities and access to industry professionals through seminars and guest lectures adds to your practical experience, and further enhances your readiness for future career opportunities.

Our engagement in field research puts us at the leading edge of academic and industry thinking, and you’ll be able to leverage the expert knowledge of our research team when undertaking the research component of the degree. Acknowledging that keen analytical skills are expected of professionals within the development field, the course provides rigorous research training that embeds these skills while giving you the chance to delve into a topic of interest.

Career opportunities

You’ll graduate from this course with sought-after skills that open the door to a wide range of opportunities, both in Australia and internationally. Your practical experience will prepare you for leadership roles within all organisations that respond to challenges relating to social justice, empowerment, poverty and community development. These include:

international and domestic non-government organisations
government agencies
local community organisations, councils and other civil society actors
Commonwealth departments such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
international aid and development agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
bilateral and multilateral agencies.

There is also the potential to work in related areas, such as:

social enterprise and other private sector businesses
teaching
travel
consulting
journalism
government and non-government agencies concerned with the flow of trade, services, capital and personnel.

Interested in pursuing a career in further research? You can choose to complete a minor thesis as your research option which meets the thesis requirements for admission to a PhD pathway.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development (A565)
Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development (A665)

Research information

Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway ; or
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^ ; or
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^ .

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Undertake research to acquire advanced integrated understanding, synthesis and application of theory and practice to international and community development within diverse disciplinary contexts and worldviews.
Communication	Apply oral, written and interpersonal communication skills to plan, inform, and debate complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improved social, environmental and economic outcomes to a wide range of audiences, and contexts, including scholarly research scenarios and real-world situations.
Digital literacy	Source, analyse and report on complex data and information, utilising a range of digital sources for effective research and professional development, across interpersonal, organisational and professional contexts
Critical thinking	Conduct in-depth scholarly and practice-based research to investigate, critically analyse, report and propose actions on local issues and opportunities in the context of historical and contemporary development discourse.
Problem solving	Apply advanced skills in research, comprehension, interpretation and analyses of competing option for solving complex or “wicked” problems with creativity, innovation and respect.
Self-management	Plan, organise and manage competing demands on time, to work mindfully in a personal and professional capacity, and commit to ongoing learning and self-reflection on the development as a professional practitioner.
Teamwork	Work collaboratively as an active, engaged and reflective team member by contributing to mutual goals, research, tasks and leadership across practice, cultures and disciplines.
Global citizenship	Question, engage, provoke and innovate on a broad and interrelated range of social justice, environmental and development issues taking into consideration cross cultural, indigenous, local and global contexts.
Approved by Faculty Board November 2018

Course rules

To qualify for the Master of International Community Development, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study according to one of the options listed below and AAI018 (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Streams

Students complete one of three streams

Streams (select one)

Stream 1 (Combined Stream - International Development and Community Development)

ADS704

Community Development Theory and Practice A

ADS705

Participatory and Community Development Practice

ADS733

The Economic Development Record

ADS734

Political Development Record

Plus 4 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways and Course Electives.

Stream 2 International Development Stream

ADS733

The Economic Development Record

ADS734

Political Development Record

Plus 6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways and Course Electives.

Stream 3 Community Development Stream

ADS704

Community Development Theory and Practice A

ADS705

Participatory and Community Development Practice

Plus 6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways and Course Electives.

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

AIX706

Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

AIX704

Minor Thesis A

AIX705

Minor Thesis B

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway ^

AIX701

Research Paper

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway ^

APE701

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.

Course Electives List A

ADS704

Community Development Theory and Practice A

ADS705

Participatory and Community Development Practice

ADS711

Non-Government Organisations and other Development Actors

ADS733

The Economic Development Record

ADS734

Political Development Record

ADS720

Arts and Sports-based Approaches to Community Development

ADS722

Private Sector Development: Corporations, Social-Enterprise and Microfinance

ADS723

The Development Project Cycle

ADH712

Food Security

ADH714

Gender and Development

ADH717

Sustainability and Development

ADH702

Humanitarian - Development Nexus

ADS715

Cross Cultural Communication and Practice

AHL701

The Humanitarian World

APE700

Internship A

ADS721 Policy and Advocacy in Development Contexts [No longer available for enrolment]

* Students who have previously completed any of these units within the Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development are required to substitute with an alternate unit from the course elective list

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

There are options for WIL and study tours across many of the SHSS courses.