Development Studies is a trans-disciplinary postgraduate programme that examines how societies and people interact with accelerating global change, and enables students to engage in development issues and policy development. It focuses on the direction of social, economic and political transformation and the environmental consequences of changes wrought by global, regional and national forces and the policy responses to emerging challenges in Pacific island countries. The Programme also explores alternatives to current policy options and development trajectories.

Development Studies began at USP in 1991. In 1997 it became a University Centre, and in 2003 joined the Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development and Governance (PIAS-DG) and since the late 2009, Development Studies is a part of the Discipline of Government, Development and International Affairs (GDIA).

The Development Studies Programme is globally recognized; many of our students receive scholarships from the Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF), the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, as well as from the governments of USP member countries.

Students of Development Studies often choose careers in government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); private sector and research institutes, and international organisations such as the United Nations (e.g. ILO, UNDP, UNESCAP, UNICEF), World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Inquiries to:
Ms. Prashila Narayan
Secretary
Discipline of Government, Development and International Affairs
School of Law and Social Science
Tel: (679) 3232297
prashila.narayan(at)usp.ac.fj

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PGDDS)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies (PGDDS) is a multi-disciplinary postgraduate programme that produces graduates able to assume creative leadership roles in shaping sustainable societies. The postgraduate diploma critically analyses ideas about governance, civil society, urbanisation, regionalism, and global institutions, and explores their relationships with development. In addition, the postgraduate diploma teaches students essential research skills needed for MA and PhD theses or for more general work-related research activities.

Admission  Requirements:

To be admitted in the Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies a full-time candidate shall have a Bachelors degree from a recognised tertiary institution with a GPA of at least 3.0. Consideration will be given to professional experience and related training.

Programme Requirements:

The PGDDS consists of four courses.

Courses:

 DG410, DG421, plus two 400-level Development Studies courses chosen from the following: DG400, DG407, DG413, DG415, DG416, DG417, DG422 and GN401. DG400 is recommended for students wishing to proceed to Master of Arts in Development Studies.

Development Studies Programme Semester Courses

Duration

• One year on a Full-time basis
• Two years on a Part-time basis

Recommended Course Load

• Full-time: two courses per semester
• Part-time: one course per semester

Please Note: You can only register for 2 courses per semester Fulltime and 1 course Part-time.

MASTER OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The Master’s programme consists of a thesis (DG700) or two postgraduate courses plus a Supervised Research Project (DG600) following the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD)

Admission Requirements:

(a) Any person who has been awarded a degree of Master’s by thesis in Development Studies or related field shall be eligible to apply for Ph. D and, if the application is approved, the candidate needs to be registered.

(b) A person can be admitted into a Doctor of Philosophy programme at the start of any semester in the year.

Contact Persons:

Ms. Prashila Narayan
Secretary
Discipline of Government, Development and International Affairs
School of Law and Social Science
Tel: (679) 3232297
prashila.narayan(at)usp.ac.fj