Master of Social Justice (Development Studies)

Confront the challenges of achieving just and sustainable development outcomes.

Address issues in development policy and debate with experts in anthropology, international relations, political economy, linguistics, public health, human geography, economics and sociology. Benefit from workshops, seminars and conferences in a research-driven environment and industry connections.

Best suited to those who want to make a meaningful difference in developing nations and address humanitarian crises in a practical, sustainable way. It provides the critical knowledge you need to develop imaginative, ethical and evidence-backed approaches to make a real, sustainable difference.

What you’ll study

Students in the Master of Social Justice (Development Studies) take four elemental cores that offer an interdisciplinary grounding in development, peace and conflict, and human rights. All MSJ students take these cores together, thereby building cohesion among and between students in the different streams. Students will grapple with some of the world’s most complex social justice problems in these cores, including eradicating poverty, facilitating conflict transformation, addressing human rights violations, and responding to the globe’s most pressing environmental crises.

Students in the MSJ (Development Studies) additionally complete three elective units that ground students in the wide range of development practices and theories that guide those who seek to improve the wellbeing of marginalised populations. Students will focus on the intersection between development and key elements of the development sector, like economic growth, cultural practice, and civil society activism.

Three additional electives allow students to broaden their knowledge in social justice-related fields.

Finally, students undertake a 2-semester capstone project focusing on a topic relevant to development, either completing a dissertation or undertaking a social justice internship pathway, preparing students for higher degree research or professional practice, respectively.

In sum, to qualify for the Master of Social Justice (Development Studies) you must complete 12 units of study (72 credit points) including:

• Four core units (24 credit points), common to all MSJ streams;
• Three development studies selective units (18 credit points);
• Three elective units (18 credit points) from approved units offered throughout the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and
• A two-semester capstone (12 credit points), (either a dissertation or an internship) on a topic related to development studies

Upon graduation, you will be in a strong position to seek employment in government, non-government and private sector organisations concerned with development and poverty alleviation. You can also use the skills and knowledge acquired in the programs to become a more effective researcher, planner, educator, administrator, and manager.

Work within non-government organisations such as:

• Australian Council for International Development
• Coffey International Development
• Devex
• GRM International
• Oxfam
• United Nations
• World Bank
• World Wildlife Fund