International and Community Development studies

Good development promotes justice, reduces poverty, and builds environments for people to lead productive, creative and fulfilling lives.

Development programs and project work for poverty reduction are major areas of professional employment. Demand is high for people with a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to undertake projects that benefit the communities in which they work.

Your Career

Deakin's International and Community Development courses have been developed for professionals seeking to advance their careers by gaining relevant, skills-based, theoretically sound professional qualifications. Studied from an interdisciplinary perspective, these courses allow you to tailor your course to suit current professional commitments and aspirations. You can pursue strands of study focused on developing countries or communities within Australia.

Employment Opportunities

Qualified professionals find employment in a remarkably diverse range of international and local fields. Expanding employment opportunities can be found in community organisations, local government, development consulting, project management, development communication and journalism, non-government organisations, teaching, travel, and export-oriented enterprises including banking and finance.

Course overview

The courses are structured around a range of skills-based and knowledge generation units that address technical and social issues, policy development, project management and resource-use analysis. Graduates gain expertise to design and lead creative, effective and culturally-sensitive ways of responding to the challenge of poverty and disempowerment.

The philosophical foundation is based on a commitment to work globally and locally, to learn from others and to remain people-centred. As a student you will be encouraged to incorporate your professional commitments into your coursework.

For off-campus students there are no formal attendance or residential requirements.

About the International and Community Development academic staff

Longest established program Deakin's International and Community Development program is one of the longest established in Australia, giving you the assurance of many years experience in teaching this highly developed course.   What our academics say: “Community Development is emerging as a major area of employment in Australia and overseas. There is a growing need for people who have the balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to undertake projects that benefit the communities in which they work. We have designed the Deakin Community Development program so that graduates gain the expertise to instigate exciting, creative, empowering and strategic ways of responding to social issues. It is important to work globally as well as locally in order to learn from others working in different programs throughout the world.” Professor Sue Kenny “Our communication with practitioners, policy makers and students allows us to respond in ways that keep this course lively, relevant and effective, helping to keep Deakin's MICD at the forefront of the field.” Professor Damien Kingsbury

Why Choose Deakin University?

Knowledge and skills
The courses cover the progress of ideas, thinking on key issues, understanding concepts, and the examination of community or international development case studies. While units are regularly updated to ensure contemporary relevance, study guide material and teaching media are informed by practical experience and the involvement of staff in development research and project-related technical assistance.

We recognise that students working in the development sector require a wide range of skills. As a Deakin postgraduate student, you may elect to study Indonesian language or undertake a research dissertation (in the Masters degree).

Flexibility
We know that postgraduate study is a big commitment. Deakin's postgraduate programs are genuinely flexible to help you fit your studies in with workplace and personal commitments. Regardless of where you live, resources can be posted, or accessed from our library's comprehensive electronic collection.

Quality
At Deakin we pride ourselves on providing quality postgraduate courses. Excellence is evident in all aspects of our courses from the standard of our study materials to the teaching staff, who are leaders in their field. Setting a benchmark for Australian universities, our library service is among the best in the world.

Technology
As a Deakin student you have access to the best new technologies. The University has produced its own Software Essentials DVD to support online communication. All units offer a dedicated teaching and learning site Deakin Studies Online.

Networks
As a Deakin postgraduate student, you will become part of a network of researchers, academics, practitioners and alumni. You will have access to specialist knowledge and the opportunity to establish new resources and contacts with people who are currently shaping and influencing this field.

International and Community Development postgraduate program edition of School of International and Political Studies publication - 2010 August