Master's Programme in Development Management

Study programme code MASTDEVM

ECTS credits 120

Admission requirements

Entering students will need to have at least a bachelor's degree in a social science discipline, with at least an 80 ECTS concentration in a relevant major area, Relevant fields of specialisation are development studies, human geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, business administration, public administration or management studies. In addition, applicants need to have a strong command of the English language, oral and written. They must be familiar with the use of PCs and Internet communication. Students who do not have the necessary experience with Information and Communication Technology tools (ICT-tools), and who are otherwise qualified, may take an up-date preparatory course in the use of the computer.

Recommended previous knowledge Students should preferably have relevant working experience, e.g. lecturing, project work, research and development work, administration, or management.

General description and profile of the programme

The DM Master study programme is an interdisciplinary, social science programme, focusing on the direct and indirect linkages between environment, development and management issues. The concept of development management in the programme is defined as the various measures, means and principles that are utilizable in the process of enabling long-lasting, sustainable improvements for social groups at various societal levels.

At a global, regional and local level, several interacting factors have led to increased pressure on the environment, such as population growth, emergencies, mismanagement of natural resources, environmental pollution and climate change. An important aspect of the programme is to discuss how some countries have progressed to a high level of socio-economic growth without strong resource endowments, while other have had a very bleak development process despite an abundant resource base.

The objective of the study programme is to familiarize students with various theoretical and methodological tools and empirical case studies concerning the possibility of managing sustainable development processes, and to enable them to utilize these tools in their academic endeavours, most specifically in their thesis work. Within DM, the approach to academic challenges is typically interdisciplinary, and based on a variety of disciplines, including economics, management, philosophy, political science, sociology, anthropology, and geography. A wide variety of institutional contexts is considered, including local and international corporations, non-government organizations (NGOs), central and local governments, multilateral and bilateral donor institutions etc. The master programme has a strong focus on fieldwork, and will consequently train students in various fieldwork methods, aimed at writing a research based master thesis.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the Master programme in Development Management, the students should be able to:

• analyse and apply major theories and findings concerning sustainable development
• evaluate mainstream theories and findings concerning environment, management and development issues.
• analyse to which degree and under what circumstances environmental factors and emergencies affect development, and vice versa
• apply managerial skills necessary for improving the development process
• use management and planning methods as tools for sustainable development
• identify and discuss linkages and synergies between environment, development and management
• seek solutions to development challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining knowledge from a variety of fields, including management, economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, and geography
• use research methodology
• write an academic paper and a master thesis

Teaching methods

The Master's Programme is innovative in its linking of education and research on managing sustainable development with new information technologies, applying on-line learning (e-learning pedagogy). Study guides will be made available at the programme start. The teaching, instruction, tuition and supervision will take place in virtual classrooms (except two face to face sessions) in the Learning Management System (LMS) called Fronter. The pedagogy is learner focused, including group work, discussions and joint assignments. Each student is expected to participate actively, taking his or her share of responsibility for own learning as well as taking part in the development of an optimal learning environment.

The beginning of the first semester starts with a face-to-face session of 2-3 weeks where students, professors and tutors will meet. The first face-to-face meeting will be at the University of Agder in August. The idea of the first face-to-face session is to get to know each other, have a brief introduction to learning resources, computer technology and applied pedagogies. The second face-to-face session will take place in the second semester (4 weeks from May - beginning of June) at one of our partner institutions. NB! Please note that face-to-face sessions are compulsory.

Literature and tuition is in English.

Assessment methods

Assessment is based on portfolio, term papers, home exams, fieldwork and thesis. A study guide and calendar for each course will provide more detailed information at the beginning of the semester.

Student exchange Student exchange is not feasible in this programme.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme Students will need to have passing grades in ME-505 and UT-504 before submitting the master's thesis.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies

A serious constraint in many poor countries is the lack of managerial competence. Such competence is needed for the development and implementation of policies and practical solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. It is clearly recognised both by national and international institutions that there is a need to increase the competence and capacity that can contribute to a positive development process.

The programme seeks to recruit students who are interested in working with development programmes internationally or in their home country. Applicants should have an interest in seeking careers in NGOs and national and international institutions, or in special "development" roles of public service or business administration.

The majority of the students who have graduated from the DM programme are now working with relevant jobs; research managers in disaster management, information and programme officers in NGOs, coordinators for distance learning programmes, lecturers in management etc, etc.

The master programme may qualify for admittance to relevant doctoral programmes.

Qualification awarded Successful completion of the programme awards the degree of Master (M.Sc.) of Science in Development Management

Other information

The master´s thesis

Half of the third semester (15 ECTS) and the whole of the fourth semester (30 ECTS) will be fully devoted to the writing a master's thesis - building upon coursework and personal experiences, and focusing on problems and issues of high interest to the individual student and the societies and institutions they represent. Students are encouraged to do fieldwork in connection with the master's thesis. We will encourage Norwegian students to do fieldwork in a developing country as we consider this experience to be of particular value for research on management, environment and development issues. Students from the partner universities will conduct fieldwork in their own country.

Digital competence

The rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) has produced new ways for people and organisations to relate to one another. Students of the DM programme should therefore increase their digital competence and become comfortable with the use of various ICT tools. In addition to the main communication tool; Fronter, the students are also introduced to other digital resources such as developing wikis.

Partnership

The master's programme in Development Management is partly funded by the Norad's Programme for Master Studies (NOMA) 2006 - 2013. It is run in collaboration with a network of universities. University of Agder's (UiA) main partner in the programme is the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. The other partners are Mzumbe University, Tanzania; Mekelle University, Ethiopia; Makerere University, Uganda; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana; and United Nations University, Tokyo.

Contact person Arne Olav Øyhus