Master of Arts
Development Studies – Online
It aims at professionalizing those already working in development or others for whom an e-learning program seems most fitting. It offers a solid academic base in the field of development studies. Students learn relevant theories that are necessary to critically reflect current practices in the field of humanitarian and development aid. Courses such as project planning, monitoring and evaluation advance students’ practical competencies. Academic competencies taught in the area of research methods and writing skills enable a continuation in a scientific career. Stemming from the diversity of the student body, the specific worth of the program lies in the opportunity to assess international issues through virtual co-learning with professionals from across the globe.
Content
- Theories of Development
- Development Industry and Legacy
- Development Economics
- Poverty Analysis and Social Protection
- Global Public Health
- Religion and Development
- International Peace and Conflict Studies
- Methods of Empirical Social Research (qualitative and quantitative)
- Academic Writing and Rhetoric and Presentation Skills
- Planning, Management and Evaluation of Development Projects
- Disaster Management and Response
- Sustainability, Degrowth and Resource Politics
- Globalization and Global Governance
- Migration and Development
- Gender Intersectionality and Development
- Land Use, Land Rights and Development
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Research-Oriented Master Thesis
A specialization in an area of concentration is possible.
Head of Program | Development Studies – Online for Professionals
Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-153
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:
An der Ihle 5 A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau
Short information
Jill P. Blau is a postdoctoral researcher in Development Studies and coordinates this Master’s program. She has taught and researched in Germany, Ghana, and Ethiopia, focusing on feminism, pastoralism, and natural commons. She also teaches on aid industry legacies, academic writing, rhetoric, and project planning. Previously, she led International Politics at the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation and worked for GIZ and the BMZ.
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Ph.D., M.A., B.Ed.
Director | Friedensau Institute for Evaluation
Lecturer | School of Social Sciences
Telephone: +49 (0) 3921-916-144
Fax: +49 (0) 39291-201
Email:
An der Ihle 5A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau
Short information
Kwaku Arhin-Sam is a postdoctoral researcher in intervention evaluation, migration, and integration. He heads the Friedensau Institute for Evaluation and bridges academia and practice. He has taught and worked in Ghana, Germany, Nigeria, Haiti, Ukraine, Albania, and Thailand, and consulted for DGAP, MEDAM, GIZ, ADRA, and UNHCR. An alumnus of Friedensau, he has lectured since 2013 and is a member of the African Studies Association and AEGIS.
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Ph.D. (University of Manchester, UK)
Professor of Global Development | School of Social Sciences
Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-203
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:
An der Ihle 5 A
D-39291 Möckern-Friedensau
Short information
Daniel Bendix is a Professor of Global Development. He taught and researched in Berlin, Manchester, Jena, and Kassel. His work explores colonial power in development policy, reproductive health, post-development in the North, and activism against deportation and land grabbing. In this Master’s program, he teaches development theory and public health. He is a member of Afrique-Europe-Interact and of glokal association for postcolonial education.
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Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrike Schultz
Professor of Development Sociology and Economics | School of Social Sciences
Program Director M.A. International Social Sciences (Development Studies)
Vice Dean | School of Social Sciences
Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-193
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:
An der Ihle 5 A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau
Short information
Ulrike Schultz is a Professor of Development Sociology and leads the full-time Development Studies program. She previously taught in Berlin, Bochum, and Khartoum. Her research focuses on migration, refugees, gender, and intersectionality, with a regional focus on North-East and East Africa. In this Master’s program, she teaches gender, migration, social protection, and qualitative methods, and collaborates with universities in the Global South.
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Prof. Dr. phil. Thomas Spiegler
Professor of Sociology and Empirical Social Research | School of Social Sciences
Dean | School of Social Sciences
Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-202
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:
An der Ihre 5 B
39291 Möckern-Friedensau
Short information
Thomas Spiegler is a Professor of Sociology and Methods of Social Research and Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Friedensau Adventist University. His research focuses on educational inequalities. In this Master’s program, he teaches social research methods and statistics, aiming to make statistics easily understandable. He recently published a German textbook and plans to develop a global English version soon.
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Dr. phil. Annette Witherspoon
M.A. International Social Sciences
Program Director B.A. International Social Work (EN)
Telephone: +49 (0) 39291-137
Fax: +49 (0) 39291-201
Email:
An der Ihle 5 A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau
Short information
Annette Witherspoon is a doctoral researcher in Development Sociology. She has worked in Germany, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar, focusing on agricultural value chains. She has freelanced with ADRA and Mercy Corps in project monitoring and emergency response. A Friedensau alumna, she has lectured since 2014, teaching participatory project planning and public health.
FAQ:
Is this online program and degree accredited?
The MA Development Studies (part-time) offers the study program of the accredited MA International Social Sciences (Development Studies) as part-time distance learning for students with relevant professional experience.
Is there an opportunity to accelerate the degree completion?
It is not possible to accelerate the duration of the study. In case you have studied some similar courses, an accreditation of the courses can be discussed.
Do you offer scholarship for the MA Development study program?
We do not offer scholarships for our part-time program. However, there is a reduction for the program for early birds. The Early Bird reduction is for students who have received admission before 31st Jan 2021. Students that register for 2021 will only pay 50% of the tuition fee for first two semesters.
How is the classroom structured?
The Master Development Studies is based on a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching methods. The synchronous classes are facilitated through the platform zoom.
For the asynchronous teaching, we use the leaning-platform Moodle.
Are classes self-paced or scheduled?
Students should plan to be available to study between 10–15 hours per week. Most of the studying will be self-paced, but the students should be available for the synchronous session. These will be coordinated depending on the time zones of the students in the program.
How many students in courses?
To ensure the quality course delivery, online courses have an enrollment to between 10–25 students.
What platforms or systems are used?
We use Moodle as our learning platform, a virtual portal where students can view the syllabus and grades; contact professors, classmates and support services; access course materials; and monitor their progress on lessons.
This platform is where students find their individual assignments. For each individual assignment, the lecturer gives personal feedback. Forum discussions and other interactive forms where the students get the opportunity to interact complement this.
Most instructors utilize Zoom or Skype for class chats or conference calls.
How does a platform interface look like?
What are typical assignments?
In general, students should expect assignments similar to in-class programs, such as research papers and proctored exams in addition to online-specific assignments such as responding to professor-posed questions in a discussion board. Standard assignments include reading the course text and additional materials, active participation in online discussions, quizzes, writing papers etc.
How much time should I expected this program to entail a week?
Students are expected to spend 10 to 15 hours a week on coursework. This varies depending on the individuals background and skills. Do not expect your course to be easier just because it is online.
Is the material available online from the beginning till end?
All obligatory and additional readings are available online during the semester and students will receive virtual access to the universities library.
Are there group projects within class and how can we work it out?
Yes, also virtual group assignments are part of the coursework.
How are online classes graded?
The grading is based on continuous assessment and a final term assessment, which is either in the form of a term paper, a presentation or an oral exam. This varies depending on the course.
How do I interact with the professor?
Professors are very accessible and responsive to students. Students and instructors communicate primarily through the platform moodle in online courses. Most instructors also utilize Zoom for class chats or conference calls.
What technology do I need to be successful?
Students are expected to be confident with their skills regarding standard computer applications for completion of your coursework and have sufficient internet access for a zoom class.
