COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Development Studies at Murdoch University is structured to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in the field of international development. The course requires the completion of 48 credit points, combining core units and elective options that cater to both research-focused and practice-oriented career paths. Core units, accounting for 30 credit points, cover critical areas such as critical approaches to development, research methods, corruption and anti-corruption, political economy of development, security, conflict and violence, and development and sustainability. These units provide students with a solid foundation in understanding the complex socio-political, economic, and environmental factors that influence development globally.To complement the core learning, students must complete 18 credit points of specified elective units, which are designed to allow flexibility and alignment with individual career goals. There are three options for these electives: a supervised research thesis, an applied research practicum, or a supervised research project. The supervised research thesis pathway focuses on traditional academic research and includes a supervised thesis, research proposal, and additional electives such as literature review, special project, or challenges in food security. The applied research practicum allows students to undertake an industry project for business or other applied research experiences, while also selecting from a wide range of development-related electives. The supervised research project pathway emphasizes policy research strategies and methods alongside applied project work, giving students practical skills in policy development and evaluation.Students can tailor their elective choices to focus on areas such as public sector management, global governance, international law, sustainability, community development, cybercrime, or strategic risk management. This flexible structure ensures that graduates develop a combination of theoretical understanding, research capability, and practical skills, preparing them for careers in regional and international development organisations, government agencies, consultancy firms, and non-government organisations. By completing this program, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to contribute meaningfully to development initiatives and policy-making in complex, dynamic global contexts.