MA in Development Studies – 20th century saw the emergence of development studies as a significant academic field. During this period, postcolonialism was shifting and third-world nations were working to restore their economy. An interdisciplinary field known as “development studies” focuses on how nations evolve from a wide range of cultural, social, geographical, & economic viewpoints. It has recently become quite popular with people who desire to pursue careers in public policy. Although this field’s undergraduate courses will lay a foundation, completing a degree like an MA in Development Studies might be helpful if you want to develop in it. We have outlined the key information about this programme in this blog post.
What is MA in Development Studies?
Applicants taking the MA Development Studies programme are required to learn about topics in sociology, political science, & economics, among other related fields. The course is interdisciplinary in character since it is crucial to keep in mind the distinctive context of the community while developing public policy. It aids in the formation of an informed viewpoint on the methods of community development used in many nations, particularly India. Students accepted into the programme gain knowledge of the numerous problems and constraints that limit the growth of a given community. For individuals who want to comprehend the mechanics of growth in a growing nation like India, this course is ideal. Applicants will learn about project management, behavioural science, and foreign languages, and conduct a lot of fieldwork in this course.
Why Choose a Master of Arts in Development Studies?
Studying for an MA in Development Studies has several advantages. The following are the primary advantages of enrolling in this programme:
- The choices include choosing professional programmes like CA and CS or higher education alternatives like M.Phil., PhD, etc.
- Students who successfully complete this degree can find employment in a variety of government and corporate sectors, as well as consultancies, PSUs, NGOs, and research institutions.
- You will be able to make a respectable wage package thanks to the variety of work profiles and career sectors available to you.
- After graduation, MA holders have the opportunity to explore a variety of businesses, including banks, advertising agencies, corporations, etc.
MA in Development Studies Course Eligibility Criteria
The following are the basic requirements for applicants to Indian colleges’ MA Development Studies programmes:
- Candidates possess a Bachelor’s degree in a pertinent field from an accredited university.
- Candidates must have received an overall grade in the bachelor’s degree test of at least 50%.
MA in Development Studies Courses Admission Process
The MA Development Studies Admissions Process may change in accordance with university policies. On the basis of merit, certain universities admit students to this programme. To admit competent individuals, several of the best colleges in India opt to hold entrance tests. The following information outlines the admissions processes used in Indian universities for the MA Development Studies programme.
Merit-based
With merit-based admission, students are admitted to MA Development Studies programmes at institutions based on their graduation-level grades.
Entrance based
Below are the steps for entrance-based admission:
- Registration
- completing an application
- the submission of documents
- Fee for Applications
- Release of Entrance Exam Admit Card
- Enrollment of Result Declaration
MA in Development Studies Entrance Exams
Candidates must take the admission test and pass the cut-off in order to be accepted into the top MA Development Studies colleges in India. Several of the common admission tests include.
- JNUEE
- TISSNET
- PU CET
- AUCET
- DUET
- AUAT
MA in Development Studies Course Fee Structure
The fees of an MA in Development Studies in India range from 5,000 to 1.06 LPA. Based on the type of organisation, institute rating, location, infrastructure, faculty, and amenities offered, the fees may change from university to university. The following is a list of various universities’ MA Development Studies fees:
| Name of the College/ University | Average Annual Fees |
| IIT Guwahati | Rs. 30,350 |
| JNU, New Delhi | Rs. 12,600 |
| NIT Rourkela | Rs. 56,500 |
| Amity University, Noida | Rs. 1,06,000 |
| Annamalai University, Chidambaram | Rs. 5,885 |
| Central University of South Bihar, Patna | Rs. 14,218 |
| University of Kota, Kota | Rs. 6,000 |
| Azim PremJi University, Bangalore | Rs. 22,500 |
| TISS, Hyderabad | Rs. 64,500 |
Master of Arts in Development Studies Syllabus
A thorough and integrated curriculum of practical and theoretical study is included in the MA Development Studies syllabus, which is divided up into four semesters and two years. The general MA Development Studies course is divided into semesters as shown in the table below:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Fundamentals of Economics | Human Development |
| Fundamentals of Geography | Project Management |
| Introduction to Development Studies | Social Work Research |
| Communication Skills & Behavioural Science | Programming Techniques |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Micro Finance | Disaster Management |
| Gender & Development | Environment Management |
| Rural & Urban Development | Civil Society |
| Development of Administration & Planning | Block Placement |
MA in Development Studies Scope
After completing the MA in Development Studies programme, students have a wide range of professional opportunities. The following list outlines the potential career paths for MA Development Studies students:
MA in Development Studies Higher Studies
- M.Phil
- PhD
- MBA
- B.Ed
- Competitive Exams
MA in Development Studies Job Profiles
- Policy Maker
- Researcher
- Social Worker
- Academician
- Policy Analyst
- Development Officer
- Diplomat
- Government Relations Advisor
- Intelligence Officer
- Market Researcher
- Political Risk Analyst
- Program Analyst
- Project Coordinator
- Researcher
- Professor
MA in Development Studies Employment Areas
- Consulting Firms
- NGOs
- Think Tanks
- Academic Institutions
- Government Bodies
MA in Development Studies Recruiters
- PwC
- Deloitte
- KPMG
- United Nations
- Pratham
- GOONJ
- Niti Aayog
- Sir Dorabji Tata Trust & Allied Trusts
- FINO
MA in Development Studies Salary
The graduates will be able to obtain a respectable compensation package due to the variety of work profiles and employment sectors available. A MA in Development Studies graduate may expect to get an average beginning salary of between Rs. 2.5 and 7 LPA. By pursuing further study or doing certificate programmes, graduates can raise their income even further.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
| Public Policy Consultant | Rs. 7,44,000 |
| Social Worker | Rs. 3,64,000 |
| Lecturer/ Professor | Rs. 6,63,000 |
| Admission Officer | Rs. 5,63,000 |
| Researcher | Rs. 8,46,000 |