• Create truly sustainable development projects.
• Learn from leading academics, researchers and practitioners who are proficient in their field, and who have strong connections to international and local organisations and agencies.
• Learn through practical applications and undertake real-world projects locally and internationally through VU's Learning in the Workplace and Community (LiWC) commitment.
• Train and educate yourself to a high level in your chosen profession of helping international communities to help themselves.

Nested suite

The Master program is the final stage of a nested suite of three courses comprising of the Graduate Certificate in International Community Development and the Graduate Diploma in International Community Development

You can enter and leave at any stage; completion of one stage gives you credit towards the next.

Our Master in International Community Development program offers students the opportunities to acquire Community Development frameworks and theories, various practical skills and opportunities to apply these knowledge and skills through study tour and fieldwork.

Minor Thesis or Professional Project

Students who enrol in the Master program can choose to do a Minor Thesis or Professional Project.

Most students prefer the practicality of professional project as it provides you with the opportunity to develop practical skills while gaining field experience with NGOs, community groups, government or on a campaign. Many students choose to conduct their Professional Project overseas in countries such as Timor Leste, Fiji, Bangladesh and Thailand.

VU may provide a small travel grant to help with overseas placements.

The breadth of the professional project can seen in the
Community Development Students' Fieldwork Symposium 2011
Community Development Students' Fieldwork Symposium 2012

Students also share their fieldwork experience via ‘Postcards from the Field’.

The school has agreements with other universities, such as the National University of Timor Leste (UNTL) and NGOs which enrich our program. For example:

• Study tour unit to East Timor. The school also jointly convenes a regular conference in Timor Leste with UNTL.

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• Faculty:
  Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
• School:
  School of Social Sciences and Psychology
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  Burst Mode, On campus, On-line and Working in the Workplace
• Course code:
  AMID
• Duration:
  1.5 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here for the international version of this course

How to apply

Lecturer Dr Siewfang Law talks about the course 
Read Transcript   

Some of our graduates find employment as

• International consultants (i.e. in areas of human rights, gender, poverty reduction and project evaluation)
• International project managers (e.g. Australian Red Cross and World Vision)
• Government officers (e.g. local and federal government, AusAid)
• Non-government agencies concerned with the flow of trade, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery
• International project officers
• Journalists
• Researchers
• Educators

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

This course provides students with the opportunity to:

• Identify historical and contemporary issues in international community development;
• Identify different schools of thought on the meaning and character of globalisation and its impact on international community development;
• Use critical analytical skills as well as communication and writing skills to discuss and debate key theories and academic concepts;
• Employ advanced skills in research as well as project analysis, design and management in the international community development contexts;
• Produce written reports or a thesis which shows evidence of independent thought and wider research;
• Apply knowledge and skills in a real world context, and network with industry partners and stakeholders.

• Community Development: Theory and Practice

  Unit code

  ASA5001

  Credits

  12

• Community Development: Project Planning and Management

  Unit code

  ASA5002

  Credits

  12

• Management in Non-Government Organisations

  Unit code

  ASA5024

  Credits

  12

• Transnational Gender Issues and Human Rights

  Unit code

  ASA5010

  Credits

  12

• Women and International Development

  Unit code

  ACF5031

  Credits

  12

• Professional Project (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  ASA6001

  Credits

  36

• Professional Project (Part-Time)

  Unit code

  ASA6025

  Credits

  18

• Thesis (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  AAA6002

  Credits

  48

• Thesis (Part-Time)

  Unit code

  AAA6003

  Credits

  24

• Research Methods

  Unit code

  AAA5002

  Credits

  12

• Interpreting 'Asia' and the 'Pacific'

  Unit code

  AAA5011

  Credits

  12

• Approaches to Research

  Unit code

  ACG5200

  Credits

  12

• Cross-Cultural Issues in Counselling

  Unit code

  APT5080

  Credits

  12

• Hiv / Aids and International Development

  Unit code

  ASA5003

  Credits

  12

• Engaging Communities for Sustainability

  Unit code

  ASA5004

  Credits

  12

• Psychosocial Approaches in Aid and Development

  Unit code

  ASA5005

  Credits

  12

• Peace, Violence and Conflict

  Unit code

  ASA5008

  Credits

  12

• Working in Cross-Cultural Contexts

  Unit code

  ASA5009

  Credits

  12

• Approaches to Globalisation

  Unit code

  ASA5022

  Credits

  12

• Building Capacity and Mobilising Civil Society

  Unit code

  ASA5023

  Credits

  12

• Conflict Resolution in Groups and Communities

  Unit code

  ASA5050

  Credits

  12

• Regional and International Organisations and Policy

  Unit code

  ASA5055

  Credits

  12

• Oceania in the Modern World

  Unit code

  ASS5002

  Credits

  12

• Timor Leste: History, Politics and Society

  Unit code

  ASS5027

  Credits

  12

• Contemporary Africa and Social Change

  Unit code

  ASS5080

  Credits

  12

• Study Tour

  Unit code

  ASX5000

  Credits

  12

First semester provides students with required KNOWLEDGE of international community development. Classes are designed to encourage students to engage, interact, discuss and debate on a range of topics including community development history, current issues and the impact of globalisation on social actions and change.

Second semester equips students with PRACTICAL SKILLS and tools required to work effectively at management level in the field of international community development. Core units have been integrated with the aim to provide students with coherent international project design, planning, management and research skills. Students have the opportunity to tailor their learning to their planned areas of work. Third semester provides students with the opportunity to consolidate and APPLY their knowledge and skills. Students may choose to do a professional project with a government, non-government or international organisation. This will enable them to utilise their skills and knowledge in actual community development contexts, and extend their work-based experience which is highly valued by employers. Alternatively, students may choose to complete a minor thesis, which requires them to examine a topic of interest related to the field of international community development.

• International: The admission requirement is a three year first degree. Applicants with relevant work, education and/or community experience may be considered on the basis of equivalence. IELTS minimum 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent.
• Mature: The admission requirement for the Masters is a three year first degree. Applicants with relevant work, education and/or community experience may be considered on the basis of equivalence.