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The Masters of Development Studies (MDS) programme is an interdisciplinary social science master’s programme focusing on problems of poverty and human development. It deals with key issues and problems of development as well as different theoretical perspectives to increase the students’ understanding of the preconditions for and content of development. The MDS institutionalizes a dynamic and strategic vision to provide an interdisciplinary, advanced, research-based and practical education in the contemporary world of development. Kenya and indeed many countries of Sub-Saharan Africa are plagued with many problems directly linked to underdevelopment. These include: poverty, food insecurity, poor governance, and armed conflicts. The program takes great exception to sensitise students on the complex development issues facing the society today so that they can contribute efficiently and effectively to poverty eradication and human development endeavours.

The programme is based on the principle of integral mission in which there is recognition of the intricate interplay between people’s spiritual and physical needs. In the MDS, holistic knowledge is about development or desirable change that is rooted in theological understanding of human existence with major focus on love and service to one another.

The programme institutionalizes a dynamic and strategic vision to provide an interdisciplinary, advanced, research-based and practical education in the contemporary world of development.

The aim of the MDS programme is to enhance the students’ theoretical knowledge and concrete skills and knowledge in development-related fields. This is based on critical social science approaches to holistic positive change for effective service in the development of Kenya and the rest of Africa.

The mission is to promote innovative and responsive interdisciplinary development education and research output of high quality based on servant leadership and spiritual formation.

At the end of the programme the students will be expected to:

1. Apply acquired knowledge and skills in sustainable and holistic development for poverty alleviation in Kenya and Africa at large;
2. Formulate and evaluate development programmes, projects and policies at different levels of decision-making;
3. Be skilled in critical thinking and have a balanced technique for reviewing literary issues and topics in professional journals and forums in the field of development
4. To perform their development work and research in Africa and the rest of the world with integrity and professionalism.
5. Be up to date with the development challenges and research issues in their areas of specialisation;

• Organizational Development
• Community Development
• Theology and Development
• Children and Development
• Conflict Transformation and Peace-building

The minimum course duration is two (2) years, while the maximum will be six (6) years. Students will therefore be advised to consult with the faculty on the best way of spreading their work load to allow for differential capabilities and needs.

A student who exceeds the maximum of six years will be required to apply for an extension to the Registrar-Academics stating in writing the reasons for the extension and the extension duration thereof requested. The application for extension will be considered in view of the factors behind the requested extension and a response provided to the student accordingly. The University will not be under any obligation to provide the requested extension.

The course is be delivered in Regular (face to face) mode, on both full and part-time basis. The full-time students are expected to complete in a minimum of two years. The maximum duration is six years, after which the student will be expected to apply for extension to Senate through the Board of Post Graduate Studies.

• Regular

1. Admission into the Master of Development Studies (MDS) programme will be subject to the common admission regulations for masters’ programmes of St. Paul’s University.
2. Specifically, those intending to seek admission for the MDS course will have:
   - a minimum of an Upper Second Honours Degree or
   - a lower Second Class Honours with at least two years’ experience in a relevant field.
   Alternatively, -a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale (B+) or
   -the equivalent, from an accredited University or College.
3. Candidates will need to provide proof of their qualifications at the time of application for admission.
4. It is also expected that the students seeking admission will have proven English Proficiency. If this needs to be demonstrated, especially when the language in which the Applicants studied for their first degree was not English, they will be expected to show English language competence. This is normally with a pass in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of 5.5 or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of: (paper) 500 or (computer-based) 213; or other equivalents.

1. Academic researcher
2. Lecturer
3. Development consultant
4. Operations development manager
5. International diplomat
6. Advocacy officer
7. Monitoring and evaluation officer
8. Policy officer
9. Environmental specialist
10. Humanitarian aid worker

• January
• May
• September