Program Structure

* Performance at a written admission test and interview will be used to decide whether a student will be asked to take any of the preparatory courses.

* Exemption from one foundation course (Introduction to Economics) may be given if a student (ii) has passed this or a similar course at undergraduate or graduate level, and (ii) can demonstrate a good grasp of the subject in a written evaluation.

* A total of 15 elective courses will be offered at the beginning, out of which each student must choose at least 4. Students may choose to concentrate in a specific area of study by opting for appropriate elective courses in consultation with their academic advisors.

Course Description

Foundation Courses: Each course carries 3 credits (see Academic System). All courses are compulsory.

DEV 300: Economics and Development

DEV 301: Fundamentals of Social Science I: Sociology and Anthropology of Development

DEV 302: Fundamentals of Social Science II: Politics, Political Economy and Government in Bangladesh.

Core Courses: Each course carries 3 credits. All courses are compulsory.

DEV 501 Development Perspectives
DEV 502 Poverty: Concept, Measurement, and Policy
DEV 503 Global Dimensions of Development
DEV 504 Rural Development
DEV 505 Gender and Development

DEV 506: Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Programs

Elective Courses: Each course carries 3 credits. At least 3 elective courses, - a total of 9 credits must be studied. A student may choose to concentrate on a specific area of study by opting for appropriate elective courses in consultation with his/her academic advisor.

DEV 601: Comparative Development Experience

DEV 602: Development Informatics

DEV 603: Education and Development

DEV 604: Environment and Development

DEV 605: Governance and Development

DEV 606: Health and Development

DEV 607: Indigenous knowledge and Development

DEV 608: Micro-finance and Development

DEV 609: Nationalism, Identity Politics and Development

DEV 610: NGOs and Social Entrepreneurship

DEV 611: Population and Development

DEV 612: Project Appraisal and Management

DEV 613: The Rights Based Approach to Development

DEV 614: Technology and Development

DEV 615: Urban Development

DEV 616: Financial Management

DEV 617: Law and Development

DEV 618: Social Communication

Research Concepts, Methods and Application: Each course carries 3 credits. All courses are compulsory.

DEV 690: Research Methods and Concepts

DEV 691: Statistics and Computer skill development

DEV 692: Research Design and Proposal Writing

Thesis (optional): Students may choose to write a thesis based on the proposal defended in DEV 692. The thesis will be an original research completed under a supervisor assigned by the university. The thesis will be approximately 30 pages long. A student will have to present and defend his/her thesis in front of an academic committee. After successful defense and necessary revisions, the student will be eligible to get an MDS with a thesis.  

Please click here to download the detailed course description document of MDS

Duration of the Program

The duration of the program will vary depending upon the number of credits a student registers for. If a student registers for 12 credits every semester, she\he will complete the program in 4 semesters.

Grading and Evaluation

The program will follow the normal grading and evaluation policy of BRAC University. You can read about them on the ‘Academic System’ page. 

Degree Requirements

Students will be awarded the MDS degree if the following requirements are met:

1.      Completion of three foundation courses;

2.      Completion of six compulsory core courses totalling 18 credits;

3.      Completion of at least three elective courses totalling 9 credits;

4.      Completion of Research Concepts, Methods and Application courses of 9 credits;

5.      Earning a CGPA of 2.5.

6.      Maintaining a satisfactory record of conduct and behavior.