M.Sc. Developmental Studies is a 2- year full- time course divided into 4 semesters, with each semester lasting a period of 6 months. A developmental study is a university program classified under the discipline of Social Sciences. For most universities, the program also encompasses units that cover International Relations.
Top Institutes offering this course are:
- Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
- Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
- Ambedkar University, Delhi
- Central University of South Bihar, Patna
The course curriculum focuses on three key areas affecting mankind, namely social, economic and political sectors. Different development policies that have had impacts on and helped shape the community, both locally and internationally, often form the point of scrutiny for the students enrolled in this program. The course aims to enable students to develop a critical awareness of the society.
Students who graduate with this degree find professional careers in academic institutions pursuing inter disciplinary research and teaching the specialization of Development Studies in civil and allied administrative services. Such graduates work towards facilitating organizations in both government and corporate sectors in areas of Research Consultancy and Development Journalism.
The average annual course fee charged in India ranges between INR 20,000 and 1,00,000, depending upon the institute offering the course. The average annual starting salary offered in India to successful postgraduates of the course ranges between INR 2 and 7 lacs depending upon the candidate’s expertise in the field.
M.Sc. Developmental Studies: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent degree in science. |
| Admission Process | Counselling after taking an entrance examination |
| Course Fee | INR 20,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2,00,000 to 7,00,000 |
M.Sc. Developmental Studies: What is it About?
The program throws light on the historical changes in the configuration of the State, markets, social institutions and civil society, and their increasing consequences on developing societies such as India. The program aims to equip enrolled students to develop critical perspectives in the analyses of development experiences and their effects on society, especially on the vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized sections, and the natural environment.
The curriculum attempts to introduce students to various experiences in development, forge an understanding of democratic, participatory and inclusive public policies, and train them in methodologies and skills for development research, and in programme planning, management and evaluation.
The program offers students a wide range of courses, both basic and elective, and a research project undertaking. The course includes components from multiple disciplines, such as Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Geography, Women’s Studies, Media Studies and Policy Studies.
Top Institutes Offering M.Sc. in Developmental Studies
Some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by the respective colleges are listed below.
| COLLEGE NAME | CITY | AVERAGE ANNUAL FEE IN INR |
| Indian institute of technology | Guwahati | INR 21,545 |
| Bharat ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar university | Delhi | INR 72,000 |
| Gujarat university | Gujarat | INR 33,000 |
| Annamalai university | Cuddalore | INR 35,390 |
| Amity University | Noida | INR 1,00,000 |
Eligibility for M.Sc. Developmental Studies
As a minimum criterion of eligibility, the program requires the completion of a Bachelor's degree in any discipline or its equivalent from a recognized university completed over a minimum duration of 3 years.
| SCIENCE COLLEGES IN Haryana | SCIENCE COLLEGES IN Punjab | SCIENCE COLLEGES IN West Bengal | SCIENCE COLLEGES IN Gujarat |
M.Sc. Developmental Studies: Admission Process
Applicants satisfying the stipulated eligibility requirements are assessed for selection through a written test. The written test aims at an assessment of knowledge of contemporary issues in the field and sensitivity to social issues expressed through written analyses in English.
M.Sc. in Developmental Studies: Syllabus and Course Description
A semester- wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.
| SEMESTER I | SEMESTER II |
|---|---|
| Foundation course | Development economics |
| Concept, history, and theories of development | State, democracy, and civil society |
| Contemporary Indian economy | Laws, institutions, society, and development |
| Methods of social research | Women, history and social change |
| - | Tutorial on the database for development research |
| SEMESTER III | SEMESTER IV |
| Development and the social sector | Sustainable development and climate change |
| Agrarian relations, agriculture and rural development | Industrialization, globalization and labor |
| Social movements and social change | Social exclusion and social justice |
| Inequality, poverty, and financing of human development | Project planning, monitoring, and evaluation |
| The political economy of space, development and uneven development | Roundtable on the development process |
M.Sc. Developmental Studies: Career Prospects
A higher education degree in Human Development Studies opens up doors to diverse career opportunities in areas like counseling, therapy, and social services.
Programs in Human Development Studies are often grouped with the field of Family Studies. The curriculum covers topics such as Human Development, Therapy, and Counselling, and prepares graduates for careers in the community, social service, and educational institutions.
Some common careers for such graduates include positions like School Counsellors, Marriage, Family Therapists, Certified Family Life Educators, among others.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
| JOB POSITION | JOB DESCRIPTION | AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY IN INR |
| Economics Teacher | Economics Teachers are primarily engaged in a combination of teaching and research. They prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as Econometrics, Price Theory, And Macroeconomics. | INR 6,40,000 |
| Enterprise Account Manager | Enterprise Account Managers are responsible for managing business relationships with an organization's larger customers, known as enterprise accounts or key accounts. Organizations that sell business products segment their markets into enterprise, small and medium-sized business sectors. | INR 3,60,000 |
| Agency Development Manager | Agency Development Managers are responsible for managing agency channel sales for the company. They are also responsible for managing agents, training agents and achieving sales targets for the team. Primary job responsibilities of an Agency Sales Manager are sales target achievement and effective team management. | INR 4,80,000 |
| Business Development Executive | Business Development Executives are responsible for assisting their companies in acquiring new customers and sell additional products or services to existing ones for the purpose of expanding its clientele. | INR 2,70,000 |
| Officer- Business Development | Officer Business Developments are responsible for developing marketing and business plans for the achievement of revenue goals of a company. They also participate in media communication activities for the company. These activities include marketing press releases, websites and advertisements. | INR 2,84,000 |
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