Master's Programme in Global Development Theory and Practice

The master's programme is two years (120 ECTS)

Full-time

English

Autumn

The aim of this master's programme is to train advanced professionals in the field of Global Development Theory and Practice with specialisation in either health promotion or gender in global development. The overarching objectives for both specializations are to provide the students with in-depth understanding of:

• Global development through critical evaluation of relevant theories; integration of human rights and social justice; appraisal of global governance and the politics of aid; and assessment of impact of climate change on sustainable development.
• The practice of development, including policy and programme planning, implementation and evaluation at the levels of local organisations and communities, municipalities and states, national and international cooperation projects.
• The contexts of sustainable human development including culture, international cooperation and physical environment.

Specialisation in health promotion

The aim of this specialisation is to give the student expertise in health promotion theory and practice in the context of global development. The general approach of all aspects of the health promotion specialisation is a resource-based perspective. The specialisation includes the 10 ECTs module on Foundations of Health Promotion and either a 60 ECTs thesis researching a health promotion subject or 30 ECTs internship plus 30 ECTs thesis on a health promotion topic.

Specialisation in gender in global development

The aim of this specialisation is to give the students expertise in gender and feminist analysis and enable them to take a critical and reflective perspective on the significance of gender in the context of global development. Focus is put on gendered power relations and vulnerabilities as well as processes of empowerment and social change. The specialisation includes the 10 ECTs module on Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues and either a 60 ECTs thesis researching a gender and global development subject or 30 ECTs internship plus 30 ECTs thesis on a gender and global development topic.

In both specialisations, qualitative or quantitative research methods will be taught, and may be used by students depending on thesis topics. All students are integrated into the Department Research Groups, and many will undertake thesis research that is part of the Advisor's research activities. Research ethics is an integral part of learning.

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has in-depth knowledge of relevant development theories as they have evolved over time; how human rights and social justice have interacted with global development; the changing structures of global governance and aid; the impact of climate change on sustainable development.
• can critique development plans and proposals in light of best practice and development values
• has in-depth knowledge of development practice models that are appropriate to specific development intentions
• has an overview of the major activities of development professionals at levels from the local to the international
• has in-depth knowledge about different theoretical and practical approaches to empowerment
• has in-depth knowledge of research ethics, methods and analyses relevant to global development
• is familiar with resource based perspectives on development and with gender analysis in the context of development

Skills

The student:

• can critically apply key concepts relating to gender and health promotion analysis
• can analyse and critically trace the conceptual and policy trajectory from economic growth to human development and beyond
• can work independently on practical and theoretical global development problems
• can scrutinize the planned and unplanned consequences of development policies
• can apply state-of-art development planning and evaluation models in establishing new development initiatives
• can facilitate partnership-building and empowerment-oriented collaboration with development stakeholders
• can conduct needs assessments and assets assessments as early-stage development activities
• can formulate research questions, and plan, carry out and report on independent research
• can critically evaluate research literature
• can critically evaluate research plans
• can adhere to ethical principles when planning and conducting research and apply for ethical clearance for research

General competence

The student:

• can analyse critically the field of global development both at policy and academic levels
• can identify and analyse ethical challenges in global development related research
• can communicate extensively their own independent research and assess that of others
• can engage in public debates on global development issues
• can design and implement development initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders and communities
• can evaluate the processes and outcomes of development initiatives
• can report to stakeholders in writing and orally on the design, implementation and evaluation of development initiatives

Prospective students for the Master's Programme in Global Development Theory and Practice must have obtained an undergraduate degree or Bachelor's degree of at least 3 years' duration at a recognised institution in either social or health sciences, or have an equivalent educational background. The applicants must document special competence equaling one and a half years of study (90 ECTS) in a field or specialisation relevant for the study of global development theory and practice.

For international applicants a minimum of 2nd Class, Upper Division or the equivalent on the Bachelor's degree is normally required in order to be considered for admission. For Norwegian applicants the requirement is an average of C or above on the courses of specialisation.

All applicants must present a letter of motivation with the application (written in English) , demonstrating their reasons for applying to this particular programme, and what they would like to achieve in the course of the 2 years' study period.

Ranking

Applicants are firstly ranked according to their academic results, based on the grades in the specialisation in their Bachelor's degrees.

The second criterion taken into consideration when ranking candidates is depth and relevance of work experience.

Thirdly, applicants for the specialisation in Gender in Global Development who have a gender studies component in their Bachelor Specialisation will be given priority, although such a component is not required. Similarly, applicants for the specialisation in Health Promotion who have a health promotion-related component in their Bachelor Specialisation will be given priority, but such a component is not required.

Fourthly, considerations will be taken to ensure diversity of the student pool.

GLODE301 Critical Perspectives on Global Development (20 ECTS)

GLODE302 Introduction to methodology (10 ECTS)

GLODE307 Development practice (10 ECTS)

GLODE303 Qualitative methods and research planning (10 ECTS) OR

GLODE304 Statistical analysis and research planning (10 ECTS)

GLODE310 Internship (30 ECTS) and GLODE330Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

OR

GLODE360 Master's thesis (60 ECTS)

Health Promotion:
The specialisation includes the 10 ECTs module on Foundations of Health Promotion and either a 60 ECTs thesis researching a health promotion subject or 30 ECTs internship plus 30 ECTs thesis on a health promotion topic.

OR

Gender in Global Development:

The specialisation includes the 10 ECTs module on Theoretical Perspectives and Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and either a 60 ECTs thesis researching a gender and global development subject or 30 ECTs internship plus 30 ECTs thesis on a gender and global development topic.

None

1st semester:

• GLODE301 Critical Approaches to Global Development (20 ECTS)
• GLODE302 Introduction to Methodology (10 ECTS)

2nd semester:

• GLODE306 Foundations of Health Promotion (10 ECTS) OR GLODE305 Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues (10 ECTS)
• GLODE303 Qualitative Methods and Research Planning (10 ECTS) OR GLODE304 Statistical Analysis and Research Planning (10 ECTS)
• GLODE307 Development Practice (10 ETCS)

EITHER:

3rd semester:

• GLODE310 Internship (30 ECTS)

4th semester:

• GLODE330 Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

OR:

3rd and 4th semester:

• GLODE360 Master's Thesis (60 ECTS)

The students will be subject to different forms of assessment such as annotation, term paper, reflection paper, oral presentation, take-home exam, and master's thesis.

Two grading scales are used:

1) A-F

2) Pass/not pass

See the course descriptions of the specific courses.

The Diploma and the Diploma Supplement will be issued when the degree is completed

A master's degree in Global Development Theory and Practice may qualify the student for further studies at PhD level

A Master's degree in Global Development Theory and Practice Development gives the candidate broad competence in the development field, and qualifications for employment in a broad spectrum of local, regional, nation and international development aid organisations (the UN, national development agencies and NGOs), as well as in different parts of national and local public administration. All students who complete the programme satisfactorily will be qualified for public and private positions that require entry-level skills in development programme planning, implementation and evaluation, related to their specialisation in either health promotion or gender and development. Graduates of the programme will have demonstrated skills in interdisciplinary teamwork and will know how to build, participate in and manage teams with members from different professional backgrounds, and from community organisations. Graduates will also be qualified to work as research assistants both in industry and in the public sector. Students with superior performance in the programme may be qualified for further academic work, including doctoral study.

Department of Health Promotion and Development, The Faculty of Psychology.

Faculty of Psychology,

Information Centre: studierettleiar.psyfa@uib.no

Tlf: (+47) 55 58 27 10