Development Studies

About Program Degrees Offered and Application Requirements

Program focus is to provide students with a full range of conceptual and methodological tools necessary for developing a deeper understanding of current issues and challenges of sustainable human development as it confronts us in our globalizing world. Gain real-world experience with a variety of international internships and volunteer opportunities and through the program’s required field work component.

This exciting new program will provide an additional opportunity for you to undertake studies in the area of graduate-level international development studies at York University. The program that follows York’s commitment to the values of social justice, equality, democracy and sustainability.

The program integrates critical theoretical exploration and practice, and incorporates contemporary discourses on development to better reflect the new realities of globalization and recent developments in the field.

You will graduate with solid grounding in the practices, processes and issues of international development.

Designed for persons who are either currently working or wishing to work in the field and will serve as an excellent foundation for those intending to complete a specialized doctoral program in development studies.

You will have the option of completing either an MA thesis or a major research paper (MRP) and one additional elective course.

Development Studies
MA

MA

Program Description

Program Components (including coursework)
  • Course work AND
  • Major research paper OR
  • Thesis
Average Program Length
  • Full-time - 5 term(s)

    • Admission Requirements

    Offered
    • Fall Entry - available as a full-time OR part-time program
    Application Deadline(s)
    February 14, 2018 (Full-time Entry - Fall entry only)
    Because the number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of positions available, meeting our minimum admission requirements is not a guarantee of admission.
    We encourage all applicants to submit complete documentation (including those submitted via MyFile - supplementary applications and referee recommendations) within two weeks of the application deadline. Review the Admissions process for timing.
    GPA Requirement
    B
    Language Requirements
    Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based)600
    Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based)100
    IELTS (Academic Module)7.5
    York English Language Test (YELT)Band 1
    YUELILevel 6 with Distinction
    MELABOverall score of 85, no component score less than 80
    CAELOverall score of 70, no component score less than 60
    Minimum CPE ScoreC
    Minimum CAE ScoreB
    Number of Recommendations Required
    3
    Other Requirement(s)
    • Statement of interest
    • Resumé or CV
    • Sample of written work

    Completed Application Package means:

    1. Use York University's graduate studies online application
    2. Upload the required and supplementary documents and materials permitted for submission through MyFile. All other required documentation submitted by mail must be sent in a single package.
    Exception: official transcripts sent to York directly from previous educational institutions. Official transcripts must come directly from, and bear the unbroken seal of, the issuing institution.
    See graduate application checklist (PDF)
    Mail or courier completed application package to:
    Mail

    York University
    Office of Graduate Admissions

    P.O. Box GA2300
    4700 Keele Street
    Toronto, ON
    Canada M3J 1P3

    Courier

    York University
    Office of Graduate Admissions

    W322 Bennett Centre for Student Services
    4700 Keele Street
    Toronto, ON
    Canada M3J 1P3