Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies (1895)
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 1895
- AQF Level: 9
CRICOS code: 109090K
This program applies to students who commenced in Spring 2022 or later.
The Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies (M.HADS) responds to the need for qualified workers in disaster relief and development, in government and non-government agencies involved in humanitarian operations and development practice; addressing challenges and opportunities associated with various forms of national and international migration; public health programming, preparedness and response; and building the resilience of vulnerable populations. The purpose of the program is for the practical application of specialised theoretical knowledge in humanitarian and development contexts. This is complemented by pathways to advanced research, and by career development support through extensive networks and partnerships, including with International non-government organisations. M.HADS graduates will develop specific skills that are situated in practice and geared towards further learning. They will be able to act with autonomy and accountability in complex areas of risk, equipped with the knowledge derived from substantial research in the coursework, and a placement experience with an industry partner.
The structure of the program is tailored towards individual needs and interests and is linked to the specific industry requirements of humanitarian and development practitioners.
Early Exit(s)
Students may exit this program on completion of 40 credit points with program 1897 Graduate Certificate in Humanitarian and Development Studies or on completion of 80 credit points with program 1896 Graduate Diploma in Humanitarian and Development Studies.
Study Mode
- Two years full-time or four years part-time.
- One and a half years full-time (three years part-time) or one year full-time (two years part-time) programs are also available, depending upon entry qualifications (see Pathways listed under Program Structure).
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta City Campus-Macquarie Street | Full-time | Internal | Nidhi Wali |
| Parramatta City Campus-Macquarie Street | Part-time | Internal | Nidhi Wali |
Work Integrated Learning
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Admission
There are different admission pathways based on recognition of prior learning and/or experience.
On application, potential students will be assessed carefully as to the structure and duration of the course they should pursue.
Course duration is typically one year for an 80 credit point pathway, one and a half years for a 120 credit point pathway, and two years for a 160 credit point pathway. An 80 credit point Masters option is available to applicants who meet eligibility requirements through cognate qualifications and relevant work experience.
Applicants with a cognate (related discipline) degree
Entry Pathway 1 (80 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed any one of the following:
- Bachelor honours (AQF8) degree in a related discipline; or
- Bachelor degree in a related discipline, plus two years’ relevant work experience; or
- A Graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a related discipline.
Entry Pathway 2 (120 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree or equivalent in a cognate or relevant discipline.
Applicants with a non-cognate (unrelated discipline) degree
Entry Pathway 3 (80 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed any one of the following:
- Bachelor (Honours) degree in any discipline, AND two years’ full-time equivalent relevant professional experience, or
- Graduate Certificate or higher, in any discipline and two years full-time equivalent documented relevant professional experience, or
- Bachelor degree in any discipline, and five years’ full-time equivalent relevant professional experience
Entry Pathway 4 (120 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus two years full time equivalent professional experience in related roles, or five years full time equivalent general work experience.
Entry Pathway 5 (160 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree or equivalent in any discipline or an Associate Degree in any discipline plus five years full time equivalent professional experience in a related role.
Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies - 1 year pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points which includes the subjects listed below.
Start Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Four subjects from the following eight subjects offered over the first year: | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| Introduction to Social Research | ||
| Public Health in Complex Emergencies | ||
| Political Economy of Development | ||
| International Disaster Management | ||
| Spring session | ||
| Development and Security | ||
| Global Health, Migration and Development | ||
| Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | ||
| Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Students should note that both these subjects are only offered together in 1H each year. | ||
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Mid Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Four subjects from the following eight subjects offered over the first year: | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| Development and Security | ||
| Global Health, Migration and Development | ||
| Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | ||
| Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Introduction to Social Research | ||
| Public Health in Complex Emergencies | ||
| Political Economy of Development | ||
| International Disaster Management | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Students should note that both these subjects are only offered together in 1H each year. | ||
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies - 1.5 year pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points which includes the subjects listed below.
Start-year intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 7036 | Introduction to Social Research | 10 |
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Spring session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Total Credit Points | 120 | |
Mid-year intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 7036 | Introduction to Social Research | 10 |
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Year 3 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Total Credit Points | 120 | |
Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies - 2 year pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points which includes the subjects listed below.
Start-year intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 7036 | Introduction to Social Research | 10 |
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Spring session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 40 credit points from the following alternate subject pool, offered in quarters or semesters. Consult the handbook for when subjects are offered: | 40 | |
| Economics | ||
| Governance, Ethics and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Developing Sustainable Places | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Key Concepts in Communication and Media Research | ||
| Debates in Global Interactions | ||
| Translation from Theory and Research to Policy | ||
| Philosophy of History and Politics | ||
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Mid-year intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 7036 | Introduction to Social Research | 10 |
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 40 credit points from the following alternate subject pool, offered in quarters or semesters. Consult the handbook for when subjects are offered: | 40 | |
| Economics | ||
| Governance, Ethics and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Developing Sustainable Places | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Key Concepts in Communication and Media Research | ||
| Debates in Global Interactions | ||
| Translation from Theory and Research to Policy | ||
| Philosophy of History and Politics | ||
| 1H session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies - 1 year pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points which includes the subjects listed below.
Start Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Four subjects from the following eight subjects offered over the first year: | 40 | |
| 1H Session | ||
| Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | ||
| NOTE: From 2025 subject HUMN 4001 will no longer be included in this program. Students should take subject HUMN 7036 Introduction to Social Research which is offered in Autumn session. | ||
| Autumn Session | ||
| Public Health in Complex Emergencies | ||
| Political Economy of Development | ||
| International Disaster Management | ||
| Spring Session | ||
| Development and Security | ||
| Global Health, Migration and Development | ||
| Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | ||
| Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Mid Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Four subjects from the following eight subjects offered over the first year: | 40 | |
| Spring Session | ||
| Development and Security | ||
| Global Health, Migration and Development | ||
| Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | ||
| Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | ||
| NOTE: From 2025 subject HUMN 4001 will no longer be included in this program. Students should take subject HUMN 7036 Introduction to Social Research which is offered in Autumn session. | ||
| Autumn Session | ||
| Public Health in Complex Emergencies | ||
| Political Economy of Development | ||
| International Disaster Management | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Students should note that both these subjects are only offered together in 1H each year. | ||
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies - 1.5 year pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points which includes the subjects listed below.
Start Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| NOTE: From 2025 subject HUMN 4001 will no longer be included in this program. Students should take subject HUMN 7036 Introduction to Social Research which is offered in Autumn session. | ||
| Autumn Session | ||
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Spring Session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Total Credit Points | 120 | |
Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies - 2 year pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points which includes the subjects listed below.
Start Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| NOTE: From 2025 subject HUMN 4001 will no longer be included in this program. Students should take subject HUMN 7036 Introduction to Social Research which is offered in Autumn session. | ||
| Autumn Session | ||
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Spring Session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring Session | ||
| 40 credit points from the following alternate subject pool, offered in quarters or semesters. Consult the handbook for when subjects are offered: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Economics | ||
| Governance, Ethics and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Developing Sustainable Places | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Key Concepts in Communication and Media Research | ||
| Debates in Global Interactions | ||
| Translation from Theory and Research to Policy | ||
| Philosophy of History and Politics | ||
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Mid Year Intake
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring Session | ||
| POLI 7001 | Development and Security | 10 |
| HUMN 7023 | Global Health, Migration and Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7024 | Humanitarian and Development Agendas and Progress | 10 |
| HUMN 7028 | Management and Evaluation of Aid Programs | 10 |
| 1H Session | ||
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| NOTE: From 2025 subject HUMN 4001 will no longer be included in this program. Students should take subject HUMN 7036 Introduction to Social Research which is offered in Autumn session. | ||
| Autumn Session | ||
| HUMN 7032 | Public Health in Complex Emergencies | 10 |
| HUMN 7031 | Political Economy of Development | 10 |
| HUMN 7019 | International Disaster Management | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring Session | ||
| 40 credit points from the following alternate subject pool, offered in quarters or semesters. Consult the handbook for when subjects are offered: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Economics | ||
| Governance, Ethics and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Developing Sustainable Places | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Key Concepts in Communication and Media Research | ||
| Debates in Global Interactions | ||
| Translation from Theory and Research to Policy | ||
| Philosophy of History and Politics | ||
| 1H Session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
| Social Science Research Project | ||
| Social Science Training Placement | ||
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |