Master of Social Change and Development

This degree (48 credit point by coursework) is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand the processes of social change and development, and to improve their problem solving skills and effectiveness as administrators, researchers, development planners, educators, or managers. The course combines theoretical perspectives with empirical studies and policy-oriented perspectives.

The MSCD is a one-year full-time program (or part-time equivalent) that provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of social transformation studies. It also provides a convenient route towards a PhD degree or Masters by research.

The Faculty’s teaching program complements the research programs in the Centre for Asia-Pacific Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) so that all courses are informed by the most recent high quality research. Students are offered the opportunity to study in a research and teaching faculty with extensive international networks staffed by some of the best scholars in their respective fields.

The Master of Social Change and Development provides students with a new approach to comparative Asia-Pacific studies that transcends the limited focus of conventional development studies. Social transformation studies are innovative in terms of thinking and research and the Asia-Pacific region offers unique insights into social change triggered by national and international development policies and their effects at local, regional and transnational levels. Unlike traditional development studies courses that provide a largely econometric analysis of development, we focus on a critical sociology and critical political economy of social change.

All subjects are oriented to developing problem-solving skills grounded in specific processes within the general rubric of social transformation; increasing research and policy analysis skills through courses in research methods and policy and program evaluation; and an emphasis on student-directed learning via the use of online learning. We prepare our graduates to work in a broad range of development-related areas.

Entry Requirements

Students normally have a Bachelors degree with a minor sequence in the area studied.

Course Requirements

Masters of Social Change and Development students will complete subjects to the value of 48 credit points.

*The course co-ordinator may approve the substitution of other relevant subjects.