The Graduate Diploma in International Development is a 36-unit program which is part of the Graduate Program in International Development offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
The course articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in International Development and the 72-unit Master of Arts (International Development) and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards. Candidates who have completed the Graduate Certificate, or courses that are deemed equivalent, may be awarded credit for related topics.
The 36-unit Graduate Diploma in International Development is also offered by distance education with a limited range of optional topics.
The topics available for distance education are indicated by an asterisk (*). A computer with internet access is required for study in distance mode.
Admission requirements
Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Credit may be granted, on application, for comparable prior studies.
Course aims
The Graduate Diploma in International Development is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers where knowledge is required on the theoretical and policy issues in international development. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of current development policy areas and the development theories underpinning them.
The Graduate Diploma course provides a basis for continuing on to Masters level study within the graduate program, as well as providing a mid-career opportunity for practitioners to address major issues in development in greater depth and breadth.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course students should be able to:
- demonstrate familiarity with contemporary theories in the field of development studies and a broad understanding of the socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental forces that shape developing countries
- apply appropriate analytical tools and conceptual frameworks to contemporary development issues
- contextualise socio-economic, political and environmental sustainability problems within the broader political and institutional context of development at the local, national and international level
- demonstrate an awareness of gender and other inequalities that impact on development policies and programs
- demonstrate a solid understanding of development issues and approaches in specific fields such as education, health, human resources, international relations, human rights and/or public health
- work collaboratively across cultures and linguistic diversity and with an awareness of gender and other aspects of diversity that affect development practices and experiences.
Program of study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in International Development, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
Core - Year 1 topics
DVST8010 Development Problems, Policies and Programs (4.5 units)*
DVST9022 Theory and Evidence in Contemporary Development (4.5 units)*
DVST9034 The Politics of the Global South: From Bullets to Ballot Box and back (4.5 units)*
Students must complete at least one of the following topics:
DVST9031 Gender Analysis (4.5 units)*
DVST9032 Gender Mainstreaming (4.5 units)*
Elective - Year 1 topics
Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 36 units) from the following. Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
DVST8701 Sustainable Development GE (4.5 units)*
DVST9014 Indigenous Peoples and Development (4.5 units)
DVST9035 International Development Practicum (9 units)
DVST9035A International Development Practicum (4.5 units)
DVST9035B International Development Practicum (13.5 units)
GEOG8712 Asian Regional Development GE (4.5 units)
INTR9055 African Politics: Global Issues (4.5 units)
INTR9061 Governance and the new Political Economy of East Asia (4.5 units)
INTR9062 Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development (4.5 units)
PHCA8505 Primary Health Care Practice in Developing Countries (9 units)
POAD9119 Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance (4.5 units)*
POAD9131 Development Administration (4.5 units)*
PPHR9701 Population Studies (4.5 units)
PPHR9741 Women's Health and Child Survival (4.5 units)
PPHR9742 Population and Environment (4.5 units)
WMST8003 The Global Woman: Introduction to Gender and Development (4.5 units)
WMST8008 Engendering Justice, Rights, and Representation: Gender, State and Citizenship (4.5 units)
*Distance education mode