COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Community Development consists of 48 credit points, combining core community development units with either a research project or a research dissertation pathway. Students first complete 21 credit points of required units that build foundational knowledge in the field, including Community Development in Indigenous Communities (COD502), Narratives of Community Practice (COD503), Community, Policy and Change (COD504), Community, Industry and Local Government (COD505), Community Development Theory and Practice (COD545), Community Development Methods (COD601) and Sustainability, Ecology and Communities (SUS512). The remaining 27 credit points are completed through one of two pathways. In the Research Project pathway, students take Doing Research for Development (DEV600) and then select 24 credit points of electives from an extensive list that includes options in community development, sustainability, governance, media, design thinking, cultural diversity, business, social enterprise and professional placement opportunities. Alternatively, the Research Dissertation pathway includes Masters by Coursework Research Dissertation (ART610), Doing Research for Development (DEV600) and 12 credit points of electives from the same broad selection. Elective choices enable students to tailor their studies to interests such as Indigenous governance, social justice, sustainable development, public policy, nonprofit leadership, environmental policy, creative community projects, or digital and media analysis. Together, the structure provides a flexible and comprehensive learning experience that equips graduates with both theoretical grounding and advanced research or professional practice capabilities in community development.