Global Development Studies, MA

Global Development Studies (GDS) offers interdisciplinary graduate programs leading to both the Master of Arts and PhD degrees. Both degree programs make considerable use of the techniques and concepts of social science disciplines, including Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Environmental Studies, History, and Economics, to critically analyze and engage with some of the world’s most complex and enduring problems.

Graduate students benefit from faculty expertise in:  

• Environment, Climate Change and Development 
• Fair Trade, Free Trade and Trade Policy
• Migration, Gender and Development 
• Global Displacement
• Agrarian Change, Food Sovereignty and Resource Rights 
• Race and Capitalism
• Sexuality and Social Difference
• Participatory Development and Local Knowledge in Development 
• Labour and Development 
• Global Political Economy
• Global Governance and Development

Complete details of the Program and currently offered courses or seminars, together with information regarding supports for students and student life, can be found on the GDS Program website.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants should possess the following minimum requirements:

• an Honours baccalaureate undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in International or Global Development Studies, or a closely related social science discipline; and,
• A minimum GPA of 3.3 on a scale of 4.3 (B+).

Language Requirements

Applicants to this program, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate their English Language proficiency as outlined here by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Minimum acceptable scores for this program include:

• a TOEFL score of at least 90 (no band below 20);
• an IELTS score of 6.5 (no band below 6.0).

Application Process

Details on the general application requirements from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research are available here. In addition to official transcripts and, if applicable, proof of English language proficiency, applications should include:

• a sample of the applicant’s written work;
• three recommendation forms from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic preparedness for  graduate studies in global development, and,
• a complete curriculum vitae.

The deadline for submission of applications is February 1, for entry in the September of the same year.  There are no deferred admissions to the MA Program, and there are no mid-year (January) entries into the MA Program.

The Admissions Committee of the GDS Program carefully reviews the files of all applicants, and recommends admission to the Program on a competitive basis. Successful applicants will be advised of the Admissions Committee’s decision by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. 

Financial Support

Full-time students admitted to the program may be eligible for funding administered by Saint Mary’s University. Funding recommendations are made by the program. All successful applicants are automatically considered for graduate funding. Students are encouraged to apply for external scholarships.

Note: Students not registered in any course work but working on their Program/Thesis must register in Program Continuation (Prog Registration/Continuation (FGSR 9000)) for every semester (including summer) in which they are in their graduate program.

To obtain a Master of Arts degree in Global Development Studies, all students will complete a thesis or a Major Research Paper (MRP).  The Admissions Committee determines at the time of admission which stream (thesis or MRP) an applicant will enter, and Supervisors are assigned prior to the commencement of one’s studies.

• Thesis-stream: The supervisory committee consists of a supervisor, a reader, and an external examiner, with a public thesis defence required.
• MRP-stream: The supervisory committee consists of a supervisor and a reader, with the MRP submitted for grading.

Program Requirements: Twenty-four (24) credit hours from the following required and elective courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses
GDST 6601	Dynamics of Development: Frameworks of Analysis and Practice (formerly IDST 6601)	3
GDST 6695	Research Design and Methodology (formerly IDST 6695)	3
Elective Courses
Thesis Option: requires an additional 9 credit hours of electives (3 courses)		9
Major Research Paper Option: requires an additional 15 credit hours of electives (5 courses)		15
Master's Thesis or Major Research Paper (MRP)
Thesis Option: GDST 6690 - Master's Thesis Research		9
GDST 6690 requires a one-time enrollment during the first term of study. Enrollment will remain active until the successful defense of the thesis.
MRP Option: GDST 6691 - Major Research Paper		3
GDST 6691 requires a one-time enrollment during the first term of study. Enrollment will remain active until the successful completion of the MRP.

MA Thesis: The Master's Thesis is developed through independent and original research, and consists of an in-depth exploration of a particular topic. It should demonstrate a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the relevant literature in the field, the development of a theoretically and methodologically rigorous framework of analysis, and should, where possible, make an original contribution to the field of analysis. Topics should be approved by thesis Supervisors, with research and writing carried out under the guidance of the Thesis Committee, consisting of a Supervisor and a Reader. Theses are publicly defended and must satisfy the requirements of the Examination Committee, consisting of the Supervisor, the Reader, and an External Examiner. Theses should be approximately 85-100 pages in length and will be graded according to a Pass/Fail scale. 

Major Research Paper: The Major Research Paper consists of an extensive paper on an approved topic, allowing students to develop an in-depth examination and analysis of the relevant issues and considerations that shape the topic. MRPs should demonstrate theoretical rigor alongside an extensive engagement with the literature relevant to the topic. The MRP Committee will consist of a Supervisor and a Reader. MRPs should be approximately 50 pages in length and will be assigned a letter grade upon successful completion.