Master of Development Studies
Introduction
Master of Art in Development Studies (MDS) founded in 2006 with the approval from the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport. The establishing of MDS are:
To instill in students a thorough and in-depth comprehension of the contemporary theory and practice of development, emphasizing why and how the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions are relevant to development;
To train students to become intellectually and technically competent in both quantitative and qualitative research and to apply them in diverse fields, stressing originality, relevance and practicality;
To develop students’ capacity to run their social enterprise (business),
To develop students’ capacity to interrelate theory with reality, to reason logically, and to present arguments convincingly; and
To inspire students to be professional researchers and practitioners of quality, creativity and flexibility in the area of development, both nationally and internationally.
Admission
To be admitted to one of the programs, applicants must:
hold a Bachelor’s degree in any field or an equivalent; and
pass a written entrance examination in English.
Application Requirements
Application forms (2) (one in Khmer and one in English for Cambodian applicants; one in English for foreign applicants)
A certified copy of Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent and a copy of transcript
Good communication in English
Recommendation (1) from a former/current employer or professor
Research Plan (completed with the application forms)
A copy of valid ID card or a copy of family book
Recent 4 x 6 photos with blue background (5)
- Recent 3 x 4 photos with blue background (2)
Satisfactory entrance examination results
Experience in the development sector preferred Download application forms here: Khmer( DOCX PDF and English( DOCX , PDF )
- Application and Entrance Examination Fees: US$ 20.00
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for the entire program (24 months) is US$ 2,000.00 for Cambodians or US$ 4,000.00 for foreigners. This fee should be paid by US$ 500.00 or 1,000.00 installment at the beginning of each semester or by US$ 1,000.00 or 2,000.00 installment at the start of each academic year.
Class Schedule
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Weekend
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AM
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PM
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|---|---|---|
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Saturday
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8:30-11:30
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1:00-4:00
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Sunday
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8:30-11:30
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Course Structure
The programs are credit-based. The total number of credits for graduation is 48, which comprises 36 credits of coursework, and 12 credits of a thesis.
Year I
Semester I
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Course Code
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Course Title
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Credits
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|---|---|---|
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MLN101
|
Essential Skills for Graduate Studies
|
2
|
|
MLN102
|
Quantitative Research Method
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2
|
|
MLN103
|
Introduction to Development Studies
|
2
|
|
MLN104
|
3
|
2
|
|
MLN105
|
3
|
2
|
|
MLN106
|
3
|
2
|
|
MLN107
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3
|
2
|
Semester II
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Course Code
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Course Title
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Credits
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|---|---|---|
|
MDS 204
|
Qualitative Research Method
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3
|
|
ECO1205
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Applied Economics
|
3
|
|
SOC2107
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Community Development: Theory and Practices
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3
|
Year II
Semester I
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Course Code
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Course Title
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Credits
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|---|---|---|
|
SOC2108
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Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise
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3
|
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SOC2116
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Governance and Development
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3
|
|
ENV2210
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Environmental Economics
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3
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Semester II
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Course Code
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Course Title
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Credits
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|---|---|---|
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ENV2211
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Social and Environmental Impact Assessment
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3
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MDS514
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Development Economics
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3
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RES2212
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Project Cycle Management
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3
|
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RES2313
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Thesis (research project)
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12
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Graduation Policy
To graduate with a degree, students are required to complete the coursework (see Curriculum) and pass a thesis defense
Students who fail to get a GPA of 2.75 from the first 2 semesters will not be allowed to enroll in the third semester.
Students who get a GPA of 2.75 from the first 2 semesters are allowed to submit a thesis proposal.
Students who fail a thesis proposal will repeat just one time with the next cohort.
Students who fail a thesis proposal a second time will be dropped from the program.
Students have 4 years since enrollment to complete the program. They can suspend their study two times, one time for one year. The first suspension is free of charge. The second suspension incurs a year’s tuition fee.
Repetition of Courses
Students who fail any course(s) must take make-up exam(s) within one month. Those who fail the make-up exam(s) must retake the course(s) by cost (i.e., 1 course = USD 150.00) with the next cohort. Those who fail three or more courses in a semester will be dropped from the program.
Extension of Coursework
Students must complete the coursework and thesis defense within 4 years upon enrollment.
Students may extend their coursework by course or by semester with incurrence of course or semester fee.
Extension of the coursework must be applied before the inception of the course or semester. Late submission of extension means failure and students re-take the course(s) with the next cohort.
Students may resume the coursework before the extension’s due date by informing the Program Coordinator in writing.
Tuition fees paid for enrolled courses or semesters cannot be re-deemed for next courses or semesters within the cohort and with the next cohort.
Suspension of Thesis Defense
- Students are allowed to suspend their thesis defense for 2 times (one year for one time) if they cannot do the defense by the due date set in their cohort.
- The suspension may be applied when the students cannot complete their coursework within two years set in their cohort or when they cannot complete their thesis by the due date set in their cohort.
- In the latter case, students apply for the suspension 3 months before the defense date. Late submission of suspension means failure and students will do the defense with the next cohort.
- Failed students still need to apply for a one-year suspension in order to do the defense with the next cohort. In this case, students will pay a supervision fee of USD 500.00.
- The first suspension (for one year) is free of charge, except in the above case. The second suspension (for another year) incurs a year’s tuition fee to be paid upon submission of suspension.
Research Projects & Seminars
Past Research Projects
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No
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Title
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Partner
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Funder
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|---|---|---|---|
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1
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Migration, Rural Poverty and Natural Resource Management
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Department of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Battambang Province
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International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada
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2
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Ecosystem Services Supporting Livelihoods in Cambodia
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Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI), Sweden
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Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA)
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|
3
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Industrial Skills Development in Cambodia
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Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan
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Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS)
|
|
4
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Skills Development for the Emerging New Dynamism in Asian Developing Countries under Globalization
|
Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan
|
Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS)
|
|
5
|
Capacity Building for Gender, Poverty and Mobility Analysis of Road Transportation Development in GMS Region
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Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
|
ASEAN Foundation
|
|
6
|
Study of Financial Access to Health Services for the Poor Phase 3: Combining Health Equity Funding and Community-Based Health Insurance in Cambodia and Lao PDR
|
RMIT University, Australia, and World Health Organization (WHO)
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Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
|
|
7
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Community Needs and Attitudes to the Impact of Growth and Development in Phnom Penh
|
RMIT University Global Cities Institute
|
United Nations Global Compact- Cities Program
|
|
8
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A Comparison of Decentralization Policies, Community-Level Collective Action and Elite Capture in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
|
University of California, Irvine, USA
|
University of California’s Pacific Rim Research Program, USA
|
|
9
|
Impacts of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Events on Cereal Production, Area and Yield in Asia: Cambodia
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NA
|
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy
|
|
10
|
Costs and Benefits Analysis of Small Scale Jatropha Curcas Plantation in Cambodia
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NA
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Environmental and Economic Program in South East Asia (EEPSEA)
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Recent Research Projects and Training
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No
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Title
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Partner
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Funder
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|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
The Role of Social Enterprise in Capacity Building for Business and Enterprise
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Bradford University, UK, and Friends International
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Department of International Development (DFID) through the British Council via Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) Program, UK
|
|
2
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Competing Hegemonies: Foreign- dominated Processes of Development in Post-conflict Cambodia
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VU University Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
|
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, WOTRO Science for Global Development
|
|
3
|
Evaluating the Connections and Contributions of Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments to Adaption Strategies in the Health and Water Sectors: A three-Country Study in the Asia-Pacific Region
|
Australian National University (ANU), Australia
|
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
|
|
4
|
Building Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change in Southeast Asia
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Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Philippines, and Hue University, Vietnam
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International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada, Environmental and Economic Program in South East Asia (EEPSEA), and Climate Change and Water (CCW)
|
|
5
|
Evaluation of Pilot Program on Payment for Forest Environmental Services in Viet Nam and Policy Implication for Laos and Cambodia
|
Hue University, Vietnam, and National University of Laos
|
Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI), Sweden, SUMERNET Program
|
|
6
|
Analysis of the Impact of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis on Employment in Cambodia
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Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI)
|
International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada
|
|
7
|
Monitoring and Evaluation of “Village Development Partnership” Project of Population and Development International-Cambodia
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NA
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Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation
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Seminars, Workshops, Conferences and Exchange Programs
|
No
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Title
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Partner
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Funder
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
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Socio-Cultural Research Seminars
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NA
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Development Research Forum in Cambodia (DRF)
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Monthly
|
|
2
|
Second Annual Conference of the Academic Network for Development in Asia on “Skills Development for the Emerging New Dynamism in Asian Developing Countries under Globalization”
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Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan
|
Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS)
|
January 2010
|
|
3
|
First Workshop on “Alternative Approaches to Development in Cambodia?”
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VU University Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
|
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, WOTRO Science for Global Development
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June 2010
|
|
4
|
Second Workshop on “Alternative Approaches to Development in Cambodia?”
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VU University Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
|
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, WOTRO Science for Global Development
|
June 2011
|
|
5
|
Third Workshop on “Alternative Approaches to Development in Cambodia?”
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VU University Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
|
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, WOTRO Science for Global Development
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October 2011
|
|
6
|
Conference on “Social Enterprise: Developing the social economy and generating sustainable and creative solutions to poverty and social exclusion”
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Bradford University, UK, and Friends International
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Department of International Development (DFID) through the British Council via Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) Program, UK
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August 2011
|
|
7
|
Workshop on Environmental Economics for Teachers and Researchers
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Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA)
|
Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA)
|
June 2009
|
|
8
|
Inception Workshop on Climate Change Research
|
Hue College of Economics, Vietnam, and SEARCA, the Philippines
|
Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA)
|
February 2011
|
|
9
|
Workshop on Introduction to Climate Change and Vulnerability Assessment
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Hue College of Economics, Vietnam, and SEARCA, the Philippines
|
International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada
|
June 2011
|
|
10
|
First Exchange Program on "Fostering Research Capabilities of Young Researchers” through the “Academic Network for Development in Asia”
|
Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan
|
Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS)
|
May 2010
|
|
11
|
Second Exchange Program on "Fostering Research Capabilities of Young Researchers” through the “Academic Network for Development in Asia”
|
Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan
|
Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS)
|
October 2011
|
Guest Lectures Conducted in Academic Year 2010-2011
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Topic
|
Lecturer
|
|---|---|
|
Angkor as World Heritage Site and the Development of Tourism: A Study on In-Destination Revenue in Accommodation Sector in Siem Reap Angkor Region
|
Dr. Neth Baromey, Head of Tourism Department, RUPP
|
|
Urban Job Migration in Phnom Penh and Continuity in the Cambodian Rural Social System
|
Prof. John Pilgrim, Visiting Professor, RUPP and City University of London, UK
|
|
The Role of Culture in Educational Development
|
Dr. Eng Sothy, Professor of Practice, Lehigh University, USA
|
|
Health and Development: Meeting Water Sanitation Target in Developing World
|
Dr. Yi Siyan, Researcher and Lecturer, National Center for Global Health and Medicine and University of Tokyo, Japan
|
|
The paradox of formal private property rights and the informal settlements: Can social economy organizations help to provide a market-based solution in Phnom Penh?
|
Mr. Isaac Lyne, Doctoral Student, University of Bradford, UK
|
|
The Bio-economic Impact of Alteration of Mekong Flow on the Fisheries of Tonle Sap Lake
|
Mr. Veasna Kum, Doctoral Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
|
|
Development without Conformity: Impacts of Large Scale Economic Development on Indigenous Community Livelihoods in Northeastern Cambodia
|
Dr. Neth Baromey, Head of Tourism Department, RUPP
|
|
Financial Planning and Management:Understanding Financial Statements
|
Mr. Yoeurn Bunyim, Founder, Eden Park Restaurant, and Founder and Chairman of Board of Directors, Wisdom International School
|
Field Research
On the 7th of December 2024, students from the Master of Development Studies Program (MDS) paid a short visit to the Okauv Gold Mining Project of Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia) Limited. With their course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Dr. Sam Chanthy guided 16 MDS students to gain firsthand insights into how environmental impacts are assessed and managed at this significant site, which marks the first gold mining project from Australia in Mondulkiri province. During the visit, Mr. Sven Sewell, the environmental and community superintendent, provided an engaging presentation that covered the history of gold exploration and mining in the area. The experience not only enriched the students’ understanding of EIA processes but also emphasized the importance of responsible mining practices in preserving the environment while contributing to local development.
On the 19th to 22nd of December 2024, the students from the Master of Arts in Development Studies as a part of the course on community development spent 3 days on a field trip which was organized with hands-on experience to provide students with real-world insights, allowing them to reflect on and apply their theories into practices in Andoung Kraloeung village, Sen Monorom commune, Oraing district, Mondulkiri province, Cambodia. This village is in charge of the Community-Protected Area (CPA) situated within the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. The focus of the fieldwork was on the theme of sustaining the Community-Protected Area (CPA). The trip was led by Lecturer Il Oeur and included 13 students. Each student was assigned a specific thematic lens, such as self-help and solidarity, participation, benefit-sharing, agency, social capital, evaluating changes or outcomes, and influence. Students developed interview questions and field processes, which underwent at least two rounds of feedback from the lecturer before being finalized.