MA in Gender and Development Studies

Rationale for the Program:

The current growing demand of cultural, political as well as economic and social change at various levels in Ethiopia has necessitated a huge number of highly qualified gender and development specialists who can participate in the development process of the country.  Though, the policy design and involvement of gender mainstreaming in Ethiopia is encouraging, persons assigned in various offices do not have any high level of training in the area of gender and development. The focus of the department, therefore, dwells on enabling students to work towards gender equality and social justice and support organizations working on similar issues.

As the demand for trained human power capable of working on gender focal points at various levels in different ministries is scarce, BDU and various gender based offices (WASA, Girls Education Center & Gender Forum) have assessed this pressing need and have designed a post-graduate program in Gender, Development, & Cultural Studies in 2001. However, the courses in the curriculum were mainly focused on gender issues and development courses were missed. Hence, when the university asks all faculties to modularize courses in 2013, the department also adopts modularization system where by some redundant courses were merged, some splitted away while two new courses were also added.  This is also the main rationale for revising this curriculum. 

Admission Requirements

The Department of Gender and Development Studies will encourage wide application to the graduate program in order to ensure the ability to select the highest quality students in the areas of most critical need.  Ideally, graduate students will have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to law, economics, Agriculture, Public health, Language studies, management, social sciences, social work, special needs education, sociology, Anthropology, Journalism and Communications and cultural studies and other related fields with some work experience within a related field.  The Program would like to attract graduates already serving within key governmental and non-governmental offices and bureaus, and gender related agencies and organizations which address gender concerns within Ethiopia or elsewhere.

In order to be considered for admission to the program, candidates should have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA over the course of their undergraduate studies.  In addition, candidates should earn a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in the above mentioned disciplines.

Additional admission requirements include:

ü 

Experience on gender is preferred.

ü 

A passing score on the program entrance exam, as set by the department;

ü 

Submission of three official transcripts of their academic record, which must be sent directly to the BDU Registrar’s Office by the issuing institution;

ü 

Submission of application form to the BDU Registrar’s Office;

ü 

Presenting a letter of sponsorship from their financial supporter if any;

ü 

Payment of the university application fee.

Duration of the Study

This Master in Gender and Development studies program consists of 120 Credit Points or 36 credit hours ( course work, internship and thesis work) that shall be taken over a full two academic years period for regular students and two and half years for extension, summer and distance students. Extending the duration beyond two or two and half years respectively requires the permission of the department graduate council and the graduate program of the faculty; provided that the extension of the duration shall not be more than two years.

Graduation Requirements

In order to earn the Master’s degree, graduate students must take at least thirty six (36) credit hours or 120 CP, which encompass the four key component areas of the program. Candidates must get a passing score, i.e. “B” grade, but a “C” score could also be a passing grade as long as the candidate scores an “A” grade in other courses. In addition, candidates must earn an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in order to graduate. Finally, students must complete a Master’s thesis approved by internal and/ or external examiners with a minimum evaluation of satisfactory.

Degree Nomenclature

In English: Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies

In Amharic: የአርትማስትሬትድግሪበስርዐተ-ፆታእናልማትጥናት

 Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction for the program is English.

List of Courses and Modules Required

Module No

Course Title

Course Code

Cr hr

EtCTs

CP

LH

TH

P/L

HS

 

01

Basic Concepts & Theories of Gender & Development

      Module Code        GeDS-M6011

 

Introduction to Gender  Studies

GeDS6011

2

32

24

-

79

5

Feminist Theories

GeDS6012

3

48

24

-

90

6

Development Theories and Perspectives

GeDS6013

3

48

26

-

115

7

Total

8

128

74

--

284

18

02

Gender & Development Issues

Module Code GeDS-M6021

 

Gender & Sexual- Reproductive Health

 

GeDS6021

2

32

24

-

79

5

Gender & Economic Issues

GeDS6022

3

48

24

-

90

6

Gender & Contemporary Global Issues

GeDS6023

3

48

28

-

140

8

Gender Politics, Human Right & Legal Issues

GeDS6024

3

48

28

-

144

8

Total

11

176

108

-

445

27

03

Gender Skills & Practices

Module Code GeDS-M7031

Gender & Public Policy

GeDS7031

2

32

24

-

133

7

Internship & Seminar Report

GeDS7032

1

16

25

121

-

6

Project Planning & Management

GeDS7033

3

48

32

59

50

7

Total

 

 

6

96

81

180

183

20

04

Research Methods

Module Code                      GeDS-M6041

 

Qualitative Research Methods

GeDS6041

2

32

36

27

94

7

Quantitative Research Methods

GeDS6042

3

48

36

46

86

8

Thesis

GeDS7043

6

-

16

-

1064

40

Total

 

11

80

88

73

1244

55

                               Cumulative

 

36

480

351

253

2156

120

                   

 

 

 

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