Contact: Dr. Niamh Gaynor
niamh.gaynor@dcu.ie
Tel: +353 1 700 6472 Room: C232
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Click to see a short (3 minute) video about the MA in Development programme
Despite the recent global financial crisis international development remains a growing field, employing people both in Ireland and overseas and with annual budgets in excess of US$ 150 billion.
In tandem with these developments, the field has become increasingly professionalised and a muti-faceted approach is now required which moves beyond traditional charity-based approaches to legally embedded rights-based frameworks which both interact with and challenge the international political economic context in which they are embedded.
The DCU MA programme in Development, delivered by leading specialists with research and practical expertise in the fields of development, politics, economics and law meet these requirements by offering world class training and education at graduate level.
Courses are offered on both full-time and part-time bases and develop the knowledge, skills and capacities of development practitioners, people seeking a career change and recent graduates who wish to embark on a career in international development.
1. Knowledge and understanding - a comprehensive understanding of contemporary development challenges. Core courses include:
Programme participants also choose a selection of additional modules from the widest range of options offered in an Irish university. Click to see options offered last year.
2. Skills and capacities - a range of practical skills aimed at enhancing your capacity in the following areas:
3. Practical experience - the thesis component of both programmes provides an opportunity to undertake primary research in the field. In collaboration with a number of NGOs, both our programmes offer a limited number of internship opportunities to participants as part of their field research for their thesis.
4. Networking opportunities - in addition to the opportunities for building solid relationships with colleagues on both your development programmes and the two other MA programmes offered within the School, the programme features informal, interactive sessions with a range of specialists. Click here for a list of previous guest speakers.
5. Specialisation - the thesis component of the programme offers you the chance to specialise in a particular area of your own choosing under the guidance and mentorship of a member of staff.
Our graduates work as researchers, policy-analysts, managers, facilitators and educators in a wide range of agencies and institutions across the development spectrum. Employers of graduates in the past include the Department of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, the United Nations Volunteer Programme, Trócaire, Goal, Amnesty, Concern, Oxfam, together with a wide range of small local NGOs overseas as well as community development and development education organisations in Ireland.
"Having worked in the areas of development and development education both in Ireland and overseas, the MDev in DCU was an opportunity for me to build on the practical experience I had to date, and to investigate some of the questions I had about the complexities of development in an unequal world. I found the course content and approach to be very engaging, particularly as we were encouraged to interrogate all theories and perspectives on development - which led to lively discussions both in class and in the online forum. The structure of the course was also very flexible, the part-time option allowing me to combine work and study over two years. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to challenge themselves and gain a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of development."
"The DCU part-time masters in Development gave me a deeper understanding of the history, politics and economics of development. The methods of engagement with students were learner centred and flexible allowing me to fit study in with my work and family life.
The lecturers on the course were both stimulating and supportive, creating a learning environment for critical engagement on current development issues.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of global development issues and the impact of underlying power structures on current development trends."
"The busy year studying at DCU Masters in Development programme gave me a better insight and understanding of the politics of international development and the disciplines directly linked to it such as political economy of development and international human rights. The year at DCU equipped me with better research skills and allowed time to put them to practice. The MA in Development programme had enough flexibility that I could concentrate on the topics most important to me. Coming out of the year I felt more confident in understanding international politics and development. Working for European Movement Ireland well as Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation and gaining in field development work experience in Thailand has been a desired outcome for me during the year after completing the course."
WFP Food Drop Operation in Sudan