Master of Arts in Rural Development

Purpose

The Master of Rural Development Degree programme is designed to equip learners with knowledge and skills on how to analyse rural development issues through application of interdisciplinary research principles. In the process they gain specialised competence in interdisciplinary rural development research, analysis, planning and implementation of appropriate initiatives. Special emphasis is placed on the importance and value of participatory action research.

The qualification prepares learners for careers in

• Rural development analysis and research.
• Rural development planning and implementation.
• Rural development teaching.
• Leadership and management in the public and private sectors [Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), business etc.] at national and international levels.

Rationale

The need for a critical mass of professionals with research skills that can be deployed to improve the quality of life of people in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, is increasing. Rural society faces numerous challenges that militate against its positive transformation and development. Among the challenges are the ever-worsening rural poverty and underdevelopment, serious backlogs in the provision of basic services to rural communities, poor infrastructure, dearth of leadership for development, weak institutions expected to spearhead rural transformation and development, shortage of entrepreneurial and technical skills, low levels of literacy, inadequate social cohesion, corruption, environmental degradation amidst growing populations, high unemployment coupled with job losses, the HIV and AIDS pandemic and the need for unique approaches that inculcate self-driven development. In order to craft appropriate, sustainable solutions to these issues there is need to develop professionals who understand the dynamics of rural society and enable the citizens of affected areas to find scientific research-informed solutions they can own. For these noble goals to be achieved, well-rounded academics with a deep understanding of the realities of rural society are required. All in all, the Master of Rural Development programme is designed to produce graduates who understand the theory and practice of interdisciplinary research. Such graduates can become development practitioners in a wide range of government departments such as agriculture, local government, tourism, rural and agrarian reform and health, among others. They can also be absorbed in non-governmental organisations, private sector especially to spearhead development-oriented initiatives and universities as academics. Lastly, the graduates can become consultants in rural development or run their own research-focused companies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In exceptional cases where holders of Bachelors' Degrees and with extensive experience in rural development-oriented work apply for admission, the University of Venda policy on Recognition of Prior Learning is applied.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Honours (BA Hons) or Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) in related fields such as Agriculture, Development Studies, Public Administration, Environmental Science, Agrarian Studies, Youth Development, Gender Studies, Public Health, Social Studies and Economics, among others. Admission will be guided by the University of Venda's Policies on Admission and Postgraduate research.

This is an entirely Masters by Research Degree.

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Evaluate existing processes of knowledge production and select appropriate process (es) of enquiry for the identified rural development issue.
2. Identify and apply appropriate methods, techniques, processes or technologies to solve complex practical and theoretical problems in an innovative way.
3. Make appropriate decisions on how to address ethical issues relevant to knowledge production and positively contribute to the development of improved ethical standards in a rural development context.
4. Use a range of specialised skills and discourses appropriate to interdisciplinary research in rural development to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.
5. Develop own learning strategies for effective research and learning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Development of a research proposal with well-articulated background, state of the problem and research methodology.
• Preparation of a review paper using existing literature, statistics and other useful information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Knowledge of and application of various interdisciplinary research designs, sampling techniques, approaches to data collection and analysis applied.
• Successful formulation and execution of research focusing on a rural development issue under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
• Qualitative and quantitative scientific data, analysis techniques and their capacities to present seminars to academic audiences are developed.
• Academic, professional or occupational ideas and texts are presented and communicated effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Knowledge of a range of ethics in Human and Social science research.
• Selection and application of appropriate measures to address relevant ethics in the course of executing own research
• Critiquing how ethical matters are addressed in planned studies and published research outputs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Preparation of a full research dissertation.
• Publication of scientific research papers in journals and conference proceedings.
• Generation of information sheets, media and policy briefs.
• Presentation of papers drawn from own or published work in seminars.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Preparation of work plans with clear activities, timelines for completion and budgets.
• Use of work plan as a Project Management tool.
• Preparation of analytical progress reports in a timely manner.

Integrated Assessment

Learners develop research proposals, collect and analyse data, and write a full dissertation. Only the dissertation is subjected to both internal and external examination to determine successful completion of learning in the qualification.

The University Senate approves the dissertation and examination results upon receipt of recommendations from the Institute for Rural Development's Board, School of Agriculture Higher Degrees Committee and School of Agriculture Board.