Title of the award: Master’s in Development Practice
Duration and mode of study: Two years (full-time)
Award granting body: The Royal University of Bhutan
Date of initial approval: August 2013
Date of last review: 2018
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Aim of the Programme
Aim of the Programme
The Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) programme aims to provide a broad based cross disciplinary education and relevant holistic training in sustainable development practice for development professionals from a local, national, regional and international perspective. Through the programme the students will deepen their understanding of the challenges facing the development of communities and regions in the contemporary context, and gain the skills to help find solutions to these problems. The programme also aims to strengthen global dialogue on sustainable development by providing opportunities for international development practitioners to experience and research sustainable development from a GNH-based context; and to improve the quality of life for the world’s poor while maintaining a healthy planet. The programme also integrates practical skills through extensive field experience that will not only help students to better understand the complex dynamics of development, but also provide them with opportunities to design and manage integrated development interventions and to implement appropriate policies to support sustainable development.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme, student will be able to:
Understand and use the key concepts from natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences, management, and sustainable development practice.
Integrate knowledge of key discourses and understanding of international development practice and the application of this knowledge to address challenges of sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
Synthesize and summarize information from a wide range of sources and draw reasoned conclusions with reference to development practice.
Apply different perspectives of scientific concepts, policy implications and management techniques to development practice.
Communicate effectively in a variety of settings using the most appropriate forms of communication and other interpersonal skills necessary for an effective development practitioner.
Work fluidly and flexibly across disciplines, policy levels and socioeconomic settings.
Design, implement and manage result-oriented and integrated approaches to sustainable development.
Critique a country’s development policies and processes in terms of sustainability, equitability and equality.
Demonstrate skills in conducting a wide range of project impact evaluations and assessments and in the recording, analysis and critical interpretation of data.
Demonstrate the ability to carry out an individual scientific research project under supervision, including an appreciation of the significance of the research project results and the effective communication of the outcomes.
Programme Structure
Programme Structure
The MDP is a two-year full-time programme which requires successful completion of 60 credits each semester and a total of 240 credits to gain an award. The programme comprises of ten 15 credit modules, a field attachment of 30 credits and a dissertation of 60 credits.
A mandatory one week bridge course will be offered to all students before the commencement of the programme given the diverse academic and professional backgrounds of the applicants. The bridge course will provide an introduction to basic statistics, sustainable development and academic writing to bridge the gap in knowledge required for the students to complete the programme successfully.
The first semester of Year I comprises of four taught modules of 15 credits each. These cover the study of Development Economics, Gender and Development, Environmental Science for Sustainable Development, and GNH, Public Policy and Development.
The second semester of Year I comprises four taught modules of 15 credits each. The modules on Statistics and Research methods introduce students to the fundamentals of research and statistical tools to prepare them for research and data collection during the field attachment and dissertation. In addition, instruction in multidisciplinary subject knowledge will continue with the study of Program and Project Development Management and Sustainable Agriculture Practices.
The first semester of Year II will build upon the knowledge and skills gained in Year I with the study of two taught modules of 15 credits each that cover Global Health and Organisational Management. During this semester, students will undertake a field attachment worth 30 credits (equivalent to two taught modules) for three months from mid-October till mid-January. Further, students will attend a non-credited module called the Global Classroom/Emerging development issues and innovation/ offered by Earth Institute, Columbia University which is a cross-disciplinary collaboration that allows students and teachers from around the world in the Global MDP Network to participate in collective assignments and learning experiences. Through this experience, students will have the opportunity to learn from experts/development practitioners from around the world. Since the students will have to go for the field attachment from mid-October, the teaching and assessments for the three modules Global Health, Organisational Management and Global Classroom will be completed tentatively by first week of October.
The final semester (second semester of Year II) will comprise of the Dissertation which bears 60 credits. The proposal for the dissertation will be developed during the second semester of Year I therefore students will be engaged in the field collecting data, analyzing the data and report writing. Student will present and defend their dissertation at the College. A designated supervisor will be appointed for each student with which the students will maintain regular contact.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the MDP programme can take up a range of careers in the private and public sectors, in nongovernmental organisations and in international organisations (within and outside the country) across many functional and technical areas. Common positions include planning and/monitoring officer, programme/project coordinator, research officer, and development manager among others. Graduates can also find self-employment in consulting firms, as a private consultant or a researcher.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
The minimum requirement for entry in the programme is a Bachelor’s degree with minimum overall percentage of 55% for honors students and 65% for general graduates. Applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements will undergo a two tier selection process that includes a written English proficiency test and an interview aimed at assessing the applicants’ ability to meet the demands of the programme.The minimum marks to pass the proficiency test is 50%. Applicants passing the proficiency test will sit for an interview by the selection committee and must obtain a minimum average score of 60% to be accepted for admission.
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