Development Management

The aim of the 18-month MA in Development Management is the training of professionals to meet the increasing need for experts in programme and project management that has emerged in international development cooperation.
The course gives the student a solid theoretical background and introduces the necessary tools for dealing with the practical problems of managing development programmes and projects. Elements of the curriculum are an introduction to relevant theories in social science and economics, methods of empirical social research, project cycle management, and the application of theoretical and methodological knowledge.
During the first semester, an interdisciplinary introduction to relevant theories and strategies of development, mainly from the economic and social science perspective, is given. Attention is also given to methods of empirical research.
The second semester further substantiates the knowledge about developmental topics, focusing in particular on different methods of programme and project planning, implementation, and evaluation.
During the third semester, students concentrate on writing their Master's thesis.
For their Master's thesis projects, students, in consultation with their mentor, identify a research problem related to a development programme or project as a starting point during the first semester. During the second semester, the topic is addressed from a theoretical perspective in a seminar paper which is also aimed at preparing the student for the empirical research carried out after that semester. The final thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to embed their research in the scientific debate and to communicate it in a clear and coherent way.

Educational organisation

The programme is organised as a mixture of coursework and research work.
During their first semester, students are given an multidisciplinary intro­duction to relevant theories and strategies of development. They learn about actors in international development cooperation and the role of institutions for development and are faced with relevant case studies. Further, students select a research problem related to a development programme or project as the starting point for their own research project (Master's thesis). This project is preferably related to their home country.
After the first semester, students can undertake a three-month internship in Germany in a development organisation or a corporation in the private sector.
Based on acquired knowledge of relevant theories and tendencies in international development cooperation, the second semester is taken up with learning about the variety of methods of programme and project planning, implementation and evaluation. Students are required to apply their knowledge to case studies related to the programme or project chosen in the first semester and to present the results in a seminar paper.
After the second semester, students undertake fieldwork on projects and programmes in international development cooperation in developing countries. This will form the empirical basis of their Master's thesis project.
In the third semester, students concentrate on writing up their thesis which has to contain theory, methodology, and the results of the fieldwork. The thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to embed the re­search in the scientific debate and to communicate it in a clear and cohe­rent way.

Study abroad unit(s)

A period abroad is part of the Master's thesis project. For the empirical part of their Master's thesis, students undertake a field research (usually in their home countries or another developing/emerging country) of usually three months after the second semester.
In the context of our cooperation with the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, students also take part in a four-week summer school in Cape Town, South Africa.

Internships

After the first semester, students will have the opportunity of a three-month internship in a German development agency or private sector corporation involved in fields relevant to the programme.

Forms of assessment

During the first and second semester, students have to complete continuous assessments in the form of oral and written exams, presentations, and short papers. In addition, a seminar paper of 15-20 pages has to be submitted by the end of the second semester. At the end of the third semester the Master's thesis of 60-80 pages has to be submitted and students have to pass the final oral examination.
The examination regulations are based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). For successful completion of the programme 90 credits (30 per semester) are required.

Course objectives

The aim of the programme is the academic training of professionals for programme and project management in international development cooperation. Therefore, the course is addressed to young professionals from developing and developed countries with a first university degree and academics with first professional experience in international development cooperation.

Language requirements

English: TOEFL: 79-80 points internet-based (equivalent to 213 points computer-based or 550 paper-based) or IELTS: band 6

Academic requirements

• Above-average BA or relevant degree in political science, social science, law, economics, human geography, or in other subjects related to planning and evaluation of development programmes and projects
• practical experience related to the management of development programmes and projects

Enrolment fees

The social fee is approx. 300 EUR per semester and includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

Minimum of 670 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses

Job opportunities

At the university, there are often job offers in the research area, especially, for students with a good knowledge of German.

Arrival support

Services of the programme administration include advice/assistance in visa affairs and all organisational issues, especially during the preparation phase.
Services of the International Office include foreigners' registration authority questions, accommodation, as well as an orientation week each semester to acquaint international students with the Ruhr University, the city of Bochum, the Ruhr area and life in Germany.

Services and support for international students

Services of the programme administration include a tutorial programme with continuous administrative and social support.
Services of the International Office include advisory service for social and personal affairs, a continuous cultural programme with excursions and cultural events and intercultural tutors.

Accommodation

Students receive assistance in finding accommodation.
Facilities in Bochum:
Depending upon your needs, a room in a hall of residence costs between 200 EUR and 310 EUR per month. All rooms are singles. Online application for accommodation at http://www.akafoe.de.