Graduate Studies
Masters of Arts in International Development Studies
The MA in IDS program offers students an opportunity to complete an interdisciplinary, research degree investigating questions of poverty, social inequity and environmental degradation.
Students in the MA in IDS program study theory, research methods and design, development practice and write a thesis. The final step is an oral defense in which they must satisfy a three-faculty committee, which can include members from outside the department or the university.听
We only offer September admission into the MA program programme. 听听The MA in IDS is offered on a full-time or part-time basis.听 Students typically complete the program in 24 months, though it is not uncommon for students without fieldwork to finish earlier.听
Degree Requirements
A MA in International Development Studies involves five full credits and a thesis.听 A typical course of study includes:
- a thesis (worth听2.5 credits)
- a half-credit in theory (INTD 5006)
- a half-credit in methods/research design (INTD 5002)
- three half credits of elective courses
Financial Assistance
All students who apply to the IDS Master of Arts program by January 31 will be considered for the following scholarships: Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarships; 听Dalhousie 1-year Master鈥檚 Scholarships (MA); and internal IDS scholarship funding (as well as Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions). Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarship webpage听for more information (e.g. eligibility, value) on these awards. There is no separate application required to be considered for these awards.
However, students applying to our Master鈥檚 program are strongly encouraged to apply to the 听(deadline: December 1st, 2025). Only students who have applied for the SSHRC CGRSM via the SSHRC portal will be considered for that award.听
For more information on applying to the IDS Master of Arts our graduate program, please contact us at: idsgrad@dal.ca
Admission Requirements
The Graduate Admission Committee for IDS accepts students who have a minimum of a A- (GPA 3.7) average or higher over their last two years of full-time study in a relevant degree program, preferably an honours degree.
Approximately 6-8 students are accepted to the program each year.
To learn more about the admission process and deadlines, please check the [PDF - 377KB]
Application Procedure
Online applications are processed through Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
In addition to the FGS application, transcripts and reference letters, the IDS department itself requires a statement of research intent (roughly 2 pages), a writing sample (maximum 10 pages) and a cv.听听
The official deadline to apply is January 31 of each year, but students interested in applying for national or provincial scholarships must have their applications submitted by December 1.听
For Further Information
Questions听regarding the MA in IDS program should be addressed to听the听 Graduate Coordinator, Dr. John Cameron - John.Cameron@dal.ca or the Graduate Secretary, Nicole Drysdale -听idsgrad@dal.ca听.