Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Master of Arts (Community Development) – Bendigo (RMACD)
The course is designed to produce skills and leadership capacities relevant to a range of middle and senior management positions in government departments and agencies working with communities, especially those in rural areas, community development agencies, local governments, non-government organisations, and organisations who work with rural and regional development issues and communities, both nationally and internationally.
The course will develop existing undergraduate capacities acquired in a range of disciplines and integrate a number of themes that build an overall philosophy. These themes include the understanding of society and development of value systems and ethics; the integration and inter-relationship of social, economic and environmental outcomes; the environment and principles of sustainable natural resource management; how the economy operates, particularly in rural and regional communities; how to work in and for communities; public sector, business, and organisational management; the nature and particular characteristics of rural and regional areas and communities; strategic thinking, policy development and implementation, planning and leadership.
Admission requirements
An approved undergraduate degree or an approved postgraduate Diploma is required. (Advanced standing may be provided for persons possessing an approved postgraduate Diploma).
Course structure
The course consists of two years’ full-time study (twelve 20-credit point units, totalling 240 credit points) or equivalent part-time. Advanced standing equivalent to the first year of the program will be given to persons possessing the Graduate Diploma in Rural and Regional Planning or an approved qualification. The course is based on a Masters by coursework and minor thesis encompassing the following units at postgraduate level.
Students complete the compulsory units listed below.
| Teaching period | Unit code | |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Community Development Minor Thesis A | PLA5MTA |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Community Development Project | PLA5CDP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Community Development Minor Thesis B | PLA5MTB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Public Sector Management in Rural and Regional Communities | PLA5RPM |
| TE-SEM-2 | Regional and Community Planning | PLA5RCP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Researching Social Life | SOC4RSL |
In addition, students are required to complete a further six units from the following:
| Teaching period | Unit code | |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Principles of Strategic Planning | PLA4PSP |
| TE-SEM-1 | Regional Economic Development | PLA4RED |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Professional Practice | PLA4PP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Assessment of Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts | PLA4ESI |
| TE-SEM-2 | Catchment Management | PLA4CM |
| TE-SEM-2 | Heritage Planning | PLA4HP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Negotiation, Mediation and Community Development | PLA4NMC |