Eric James
Table of Contents
M.A. in Developmental Studies Introduction
M.A. in Developmental Studies is a postgraduate or PG program that provides students with in-depth learning in the field of political science, sociology, and allied subjects like economics and geography. This program helps students to understand development that takes place in every aspect be it socially, politically, or economically in developing countries.
In these 2 years, a student comes to know how a student will be able to develop an understanding of a particular communication, know their problems and help to create a sustainable community.
In this article we are going to deal with what entrances are conducted, what is the eligibility, the top colleges for M.A. in developmental studies, the scope and opportunity of MA in Developmental Studies, and more.
M.A. in Developmental Studies Highlights
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Full Form | Master of arts developmental studies |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Exam type | Semester based |
| Eligibility | Having a 50 % in bachelor’s degree from any stream |
| Average annual fees | INR 5,000 to 1,50,000 |
| Average annual salary | INR 2,50,000 to 6,00,000 |
| Top recruiting companies | Consultancy firms, NGOs, PSUs, and Corporate Companies |
| Job profile | Consultant, administrator, social worker, teacher, and lecturer. |
M.A. in Developmental Studies Admission Process
- For pursuing M.A. in developmental studies, students first need to research colleges that are offering the course – M.A. in developmental studies.
- After researching, the candidates need to register their account on the particular college website after the specific colleges release their application form.
- The candidates after registration of their account need to log in through their concerned account and fill out the application form by following the proper instructions given on the college’s official website.
- After filling out and submitting the application form the candidates will receive admit cards from the website portal itself 2 weeks before the exams.
- After appearing for the concerned exam, the college releases their cut-off marks, if the particular student can crack the cut off he or she is eligible for the course.
- In many colleges, this is followed by the interview round as well and only after clearing the entrance and entrance, the student is eligible to get admission into the particular course.
- In some colleges, admission is merit based where only the bachelor’s marks are considered for admission in a particular course.
What are the steps to get into a good college? The steps to get into a good college are pretty easy and simple. These are the few steps you need to follow while seeking admission into a good college:
- First look at the NIRF ranking of the colleges. Each college is ranked according to its placements, courses offered, faculty, studies, and campus life.
- Next, what you need to do is to go through the college brochures given on the college website itself. It will give an overview of their course, placement scenario, recruiting companies, and more.
- Each college has its way of seeking admission. Check what are their qualifying criteria for admissions properly and thoroughly.
- Apply to every college be it a first-tier college or second-tier. You never know when and where you will qualify and which college’s eligibility criteria you will satisfy so it is advisable to keep a backup option.
M.A. in Developmental Studies Entrance Exams
To get admission in good colleges there are certain entrances which a candidate needs to clear to get admission into a good college offering M.A. In Developmental studies. Given below is the list of entrances:
- JNUEE: JNUEE or Jawaharlal Nehru University entrance exam is an entrance exam conducted to qualify students for various postgraduate courses. The exam is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). It’s a three-hour exam conducted to assess students based on logical reasoning, elementary maths, current affairs, and general knowledge.
- TISSNET: TISSNET or Tata Institute of social sciences entrance exam provides students admission to various M.A courses like M.A in developmental studies. This exam is conducted by TISS, which is the Tata Institute of social sciences. This entrance exam is conducted on a national level offering admission for the M.A. program in the School of Management and labor studies.
- PU CET: PU CET or Punjab University Central entrance test is a state-level examination conducted by the Punjab University offering students admission in various UG as well as PG level courses. This exam is conducted for B.sc courses as well. Candidates who wish to appear need to clear the PU CET examination. The exam is conducted to qualify students for their specific courses.
- AUCET: AUCET or Andhra University Central exam entrance exam is conducted to provide students admission to various pg courses. It is a state-level entrance exam conducted by Andhra University. The exam is a 90 minutes examination conducted as a pen and paper-based test. It offers admission to master of arts and master of fine arts.
- DUET: Delhi University entrance exam or DUET is conducted to qualify students in various pg and doctoral levels courses. The conducting body is NTA ( National Testing Agency). The test is a CBT (Computer based test) conducted for two hours.
Tips to prepare for MA developmental studies entrance exams:
The steps to get into a good college mainly depend on a few factors;
- The first is time management. Learning time management is very important as it helps you to maintain a proper schedule of everything, your studying time, breaks, relaxing time, and more.
- Next, have a proper study plan. Make your schedule in such a way that it balances out everything: your study, your breaks, and important work.
- Do meditation and avoid distractions. Doing meditation will help to focus and stay determined toward your goals. Do not fall into the trap of distractions. If you feel something is derailing you from your goal, stop getting inclined towards it. You need to develop that willpower to not let things distract you in your way.
- The next thing has clear concepts. Without having a clear knowledge or concept about something you be able to solve questions related to your entrances.
- Go for mocks. Yes, mocks are the best way to assess yourself as to how much you are preparing for your entrance exams. Mock practice should be started 1- 1.5 months earlier to your exams.
M.A. in Developmental Studies Course Syllabus
The 2-year course in M.A. in Developmental Studies is divided into 4 semesters. The course highly provides students with an overview of the historical changes in society, and political institutions, and its growing impact on developing countries. The syllabus of M.A in developmental studies is provided in an online pdf as well. Given below is a list of semester wise syllabus for M.A. in developmental studies:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Concept, History, and Theories of Development | Principles of Economics: Micro-economics |
| State and Democracy | Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics |
| Methods of social research | Industrialization, Globalisation, and Labour |
| Anthropology and Development | Theoretical Approaches to Gender and Development |
| Development and Social Justice | Cities and Development |
| Social Research – Design and Applications | Geopolitics, Development, and Conflict |
Given below is the list of subjects provided in the second year:
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Public Policy: Theories and Processes | Philosophy and Postcolonial India |
| Political Economy of International Development | Corporate social responsibility (CSR)and development |
| Public finance | Modernity and Multiplicity: Critical and Experiential Histories |
| Agrarian Relations, Agriculture and Rural Development | Gender, Livelihoods, and Development |
| Social Movements and social change | Gender-Based Violence, Culture, and Human Rights |
| Population, Ageing, and Development | Project |
M.A. in Developmental Studies course fee
The course fee for M.A. in developmental studies varies between INR 5,000 to 1,06 LPA. One thing we must keep in mind is that this course fee differs from college to college as well as in their faculties, placement, campus life, their ranking, location, research, academia, events, and much more. Given below is a list of colleges and their course fee.
| Serial Number | College Name | Fee Structure |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Amity University, Noida | INR 1.06 LPA |
| 2. | Annamalai University, Chidambaram | INR 5,885 PA |
| 3. | Central University of South Bihar, Patna | INR 14,218 PA |
| 4. | University of Kota, Kota | INR 6,000 PA |
| 5. | Azim Premji University, Bangalore | INR 22,500 PA |
M.A. in Developmental Studies Top Colleges in India 2023
To pursue M.A. in developmental studies the students need to clear the entrance exams of the particular University. These University level exams are the prescribed entrances by the conducting body. Given below is the list of renowned universities offering M.A in developmental studies:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
- Ambedkar University, Delhi
- Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
- Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi
- Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindigul
- Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata
- University of Madras, Chennai
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
- Dr. BR Ambedkar University, Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi
- National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
M.A. in Developmental Studies Top Colleges Abroad 2023
There are also top colleges in Abroad offering M.A. in developmental studies. Given below is the list of such colleges
- University of Hampshire, USA
- SOAS University Of London, UK
- Indira Gandhi National Open University, India
- Malmo University, Sweden
- University of London, UK
- University of the West Indies, Jamaica
- Friedensau Adventist University, Germany
- Massey University, New Zealand
- Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- University of North Alabama College of Arts and Sciences, USA
- University for Peace, Costa Rica
M.A. in Developmental Studies Scope
By getting a degree in developmental studies, a student can work in various sectors like government administration, civil services, and research fields as well as in NGOs and PSUs.
Talking about opportunities, graduates in M.A in developmental studies also get work in various fields like
- Enterprise Account Manager
- Development Manager
- Analyst
- Human Relations Manager
- Project Head
- Public Relations officer
- Consultant
M.A. in Developmental Studies Job Prospects
The job prospects are already discussed. Let’s now see what kind of jobs one can get in the government as well as private sector after getting a degree in M.A in developmental studies
| Government Job roles | Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations officer | INR 3.04 LPA |
| Public Policy Consultant | INR 7.44 LPA |
| Lecturer/ Professor | INR 6.63 LPA |
| Admission officer | INR 5.63 LPA |
| Researcher | INR 8.46 LPA |
Roles are given to graduates in private sectors:
| Private job roles | Salary |
|---|---|
| Development Manager | INR 12 LPA |
| Analyst | INR 5.5 LPA |
| Human relations manager | INR 7 LPA |
| Project Head | INR 13 LPA |
| Marketing head | INR 18 LPA |
M.A. in Developmental Studies Average Salary
The average salary of an MA in Developmental Studies is between the range of 3.5 to 8.5 LPA. The pay scale of the graduates varies according to their roles. A fresher might not get paid the same as an experienced one. Given below is the list of how much an M.A in developmental studies graduate gets paid.
| Job roles | Payscale |
|---|---|
| Public Policy Consultant | INR 7.44 LPA |
| Social Worker | INR 3.64 LPA |
| Lecturer/ Professor | INR 6.63 LPA |
| Admission Officer | INR 5.63 LPA |
| Researcher | INR 8.46 LPA |
M.A. in Developmental Studies Conclusion
Thus, I conclude the article by stating that getting a degree in development studies not only helps you to increase knowledge about the developments taking place in your community or the communities but also makes you eligible to formulate policies, laws, and schemes to maintain sustainability in the development.
A degree in development studies also clears and enhances your vision of growth and development regarding a particular society. All activists, policymakers, and socialists that we see as professionals are a part of developmental studies.
Moreover with the growing modern period and modern education having a hold on your roots is equally important. Development studies give us that scope to learn and knowledge about our culture as well as historical development from past to present and future.
Talking about the recruiters and companies, these companies and recruiters all work towards development be it in the form of communication or any other work. The companies are mainly from government firms or consultant firms or private sectors, archeological museums, and more.
Belonging from an arts background development studies also helps to get into the field of fine arts as it gives equal importance to the evolving culture, traditions, and customs covered in the arena of fine arts.
Thus securing a degree in development studies opens up a huge Career and bright prospect for a graduate in the field of arts, science, and modernity.
Frequently Asked Questions about M.A. in Developmental Studies
Q. What is MA in Developmental Studies?
Ans. MA in developmental studies is a study of various fields like sociology, political science, and anthropology along with allied fields like geography and economics which deals with the developmental and sustainable changes in a community and developing countries.
Q. What can we do with a degree in development studies?
Ans. There are various options open after getting a degree in development studies. The options are far and wide with a heavy paycheck. The options are:
- Policy Maker
- Researcher
- Social Worker
- Academician
- Community Service Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Business or Government Consultant
- Community Development Worker
- Development Officer
- Diplomat
Q. Give a brief overview of subjects in MA in development studies.
Ans. The brief overview of subjects overview of MA in development studies is as follows:
- Fundamentals of Economics
- Project Management
- Environment Management
- Human Development
- Gender & Development
- Disaster Management
- Communication Skills
- Global Health and Population Change
- Civil Society
- Fundamentals of Geography
- Rural & Urban Development
- Introduction to Developmental Studies
Q. Is MA in developmental studies in distance learning a good option?
Ans. Yes, MA in developmental studies in distance learning is a very good option for those who cannot afford to go to college. It helps you to cut time and invest in some other certified courses as well which will help you in your prospects.
Q. What is the difference between MA in developmental studies and MA in developmental studies distance education?
Ans. Though there are no differences and the syllabus remains the same. The only difference is that in distance learning you get the leverage to cut off time and have the time to attend it online without going to college whereas in offline mode you are required to give your presence in the college. Apart from this the placements, examination everything is the same.
