Master of Social Change and Development

The program is designed to provide students who wish to pursue a career with government agencies, NGOs and private firms, with the knowledge and skills to understand the processes of social change and development and to improve their effectiveness as administrators, researchers, development planners, educators, or managers. As Australia engages more and more with developing countries in the region, there is a growing need for qualified professionals to work in the community development and policy analysis sectors of funded development projects and aid organisations.

While a base undergraduate degree in an area of relevant specialisation is useful for this kind of work, professionals in the field of international development need an understanding of the implications of wider social and political changes at a global level which affect local conditions and capacities. The program aims to equip professionals with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge, which can meet the challenges of development work in a rapidly changing global environment.

The Master of Social Change and Development is available in the following areas of interest.

• Generic
• Trade and Development
• Land Care
• Organisational Leadership and Capacity Building

The University of Newcastle now has an established reputation, both nationally and internationally, as a provider of this high-quality postgraduate coursework program, the Master of Social Change and Development. The program has been in operation for eight years, with a continuously increasing number of participating students from Australia and the world. Students who have completed this program report very high levels of satisfaction in terms of the quality of the course, and the enhanced employment opportunities it offers upon graduation. International students find Newcastle a very safe and friendly environment for their University studies.

Overseas Aid Organisations, Community Development, Local Government Capacity-Building, Ministry of Finance in a Developing Country, Sustainable Land Care.

Bachelor Degree in a field relevant to development studies, such as social sciences, community organisations, human resource management, politics, health, environmental studies, indigenous studies or agriculture. Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Social Change and Development will be eligible for 40 units of credit towards the Master of Social Change and Development award.

Undergraduate degree in a relevant area.

Students who have completed relevant studies may apply for up to 20 units credit towards the Graduate Certificate in Social Change and Development and 40 units of credit towards the Master of Social Change and Development.

The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for international students, liaison with the International Development Services unit support team, which offers practical assistance and advice to international students.

All new International Students will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Education and Arts and the University at the commencement of each Semester.

There is a designated International Students Liaison Officer in all Schools within the Faculty of Education and Arts. This Officer is available to International Students as a representative and also to seek guidance and advice from.

The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Students Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness. The program does not target applicants from one or more of the groups of students identified with special needs.

The program can be completed over one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent. Please be aware that not all courses are offered in any one semester. The Faculty reserves the right not of to offer courses if there is insufficient demand.

The program may be undertaken on campus or through distance learning. Please check timetable information for the availability of individual courses and their location of offer. All courses are offered at Masters level.

Qualification for the Master of Social Change and Development award requires completion of 80 units of coursework.

Students may graduate with a Master of Social Change and Development or a Master of Social Change and Development with a specialisation in Trade and Development, Landcare or Organisational Leadership and Capacity Building.