This program prepares students for a broad range of careers both locally and internationally that contribute to social change. You will learn how to successfully undertake projects in close collaboration with community members, and graduate equipped with the skills to influence positive outcomes. With our hands-on learning opportunities, you don’t have to wait until you finish the program to make an impact.

Graduates can work in key areas including Indigenous affairs, organisational leadership and capacity building, roles within government agencies, non-government organisations and private firms, trade and development, and sustainable agriculture and food security for rural development - in Australia as well as developing countries.

The University of Newcastle’s Master in Social Change and Development is designed to enhance students existing knowledge and open up further career opportunities in the global environment. The program will build on your prior learnings as you study a range of progressive subjects. All students must complete 60 units of core courses and 20 units of directed courses from Group A, with the option to complete an additional 40 units of directed courses from Group A and Group B - refer to ‘Course Information’ for further details.

Core courses to support your drive and direction include:

• Project Design and Evaluation
• Development and Social Change
• Social Science Research Methods
• Social Change and Development Research Project

In addition to the core courses, directed courses include, but are not limited to:

• Policy and Social Considerations in Disaster Management
• Issues in Developing Economies
• Comparative Education: Debates and Dilemmas
• Managing Human Resources in International Organisations

Upon completion of the above courses you will have enhanced your existing knowledge of social change and development, and will have the relevant theoretical and practical knowledge to take on high-level roles in government agencies, non-government organisations and private firms.

2024 Program Handbook

Refer to the program handbook for details of the complete program structure, course requirements and availability.

View program handbook

There is a continuously growing need for qualified professionals to undertake roles in the community development and policy analysis of funded development projects and aid organisations. At the completion of your Masters in Social Change and Development you will have the fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge to take on these roles within government agencies, non-government organisations and private firms.

This program will open up new opportunities and see you possess the potential to embark on some of the following career pathways:

• policy analyst
• community and social developer
• advocacy and public policy coordinators
• overseas aid officer
• ministry of finance in a developing country
• stakeholder engagement and evaluation

You will graduate with the ability to apply your social change and development expertise in real-world settings and position yourself at the forefront of the industry.

For admission into the 80-unit program, applicants must have one of the following qualifications or equivalent: Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma; or Bachelor Honours Degree; or Bac

TOEFL paper-based test score of 550; TOEFL internet based score of 79; IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5; PTE GSE score of 58; Cambridge English: Advanced score of 58.