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Graduate Program in Development Studies Faculty of Graduate Studies
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Degree Requirements

The Program is offered on a full–time and part–time basis, with a recommended completion time of 20 months and 32 months respectively. The Program offers both Thesis and Major Research Paper (MRP) options. Degree requirements for each option are as follows:

Degree OptionCompletion TimeYear/TermsRequirements
Thesis Option20 months5 terms of enrolment

Year 1: fall, winter & summer terms;
Year 2: fall & winter terms		Three and one–half (3½) full course equivalents:

5 three–credit core courses
2 three–credit electives

Fieldwork, Work placement and Thesis
Major Research Paper (MRP)20 months5 terms of enrolment

Year 1: fall, winter & summer terms;
Year 2: fall & winter terms		Four (4) full course equivalents

5 three–credit core courses
3 three–credit electives

Fieldwork, Work placement and Major Research Paper

Options

The thesis option requires students to complete twenty–seven credits within a twenty–month (5 term) time frame.

Courses and Credits

Students are required to take 21 graduate-level course credits (5 three–credit core courses and 2 three–credit electives).

Five required core courses:

  • DVST 5100 3.0: Conceptual Foundations of Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5101 3.0: Historical and Institutional Foundations of Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5105 3.0: Graduate Seminar in Fieldwork and Professional Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5120 3.0: Research Methods for Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5122 3.0: Critical Reflections on Field Work and Writing—3 credits

Two elective courses* from among:

  • DVST 5110 3.0: Development, Political Economy & Policy—3 credits
  • DVST 5111 3.0: Civil Society in Development Discourse and Practice—3 credits
  • DVST 5112 3.0: Cultural Politics of Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5121 3.0: Tools and Policy Analysis for Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5123 3.0: Forced Migration and Refugee Issues—3 credits

*One three–credit elective course may be selected from other programs with permission of program director.

Research Credits

Students are required to complete 6 credits worth of Fieldwork and Research requirements. The requirement will be satisfied by the completion of their Thesis.

Total = 27 credits

The major research paper option requires students to complete twenty–seven credits within a twenty–month (5 term) time frame.

Courses and Credits

Students are required to take 24 graduate–level course credits (5 three–credit core courses and 3 three–credit electives).

Five required core courses:

  • DVST 5100 3.0: Conceptual Foundations of Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5101 3.0: Historical and Institutional Foundations of Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5105 3.0: Graduate Seminar in Fieldwork and Professional Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5120 3.0: Research Methods for Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5122 3.0: Critical Reflections on Field Work and Writing—3 credits

Three elective courses* from among:

  • DVST 5110 3.0: Development, Political Economy & Policy—3 credits
  • DVST 5111 3.0: Civil Society in Development Discourse and Practice—3 credits
  • DVST 5112 3.0: Cultural Politics of Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5121 3.0: Tools and Policy Analysis for Development—3 credits
  • DVST 5123 3.0: Forced Migration and Refugee Issues—3 credits

*One three–credit elective course may be selected from other programs with permission of program director.

Research Credits

Students are required to complete 3 credits worth of Fieldwork and Research requirements. The requirement will be satisfied by the completion of their MRPs.

Total = 27 credits

Learn More

The Graduate Program in Development Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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