Master of Leadership for Development

Program Overview

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This fully-online Master's program, jointly offered by the University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne, equips professionals with the skills and knowledge for leadership roles in the development sector. It emphasizes practical skills, global connections, and collaborative outlook, preparing graduates to navigate complex development challenges and promote positive social transformation in a global context. Delivered in partnership with the University of Melbourne, the program provides flexibility for part-time studies over 24 months.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This fully-online Master's degree, delivered jointly with the University of Melbourne, focuses on the practical skills, global connections, and collaborative outlook needed to make a real difference in the development world. It is designed for individuals who want to reposition themselves to take up a leadership role in the development sector, but don't want to take time out from their important work to study. The program is also suitable for those who already work in or alongside the global development sector – as a manager, planner, policy maker, consultant, educator, entrepreneur, researcher, or community advocate.

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Objectives:

• Build leadership capabilities with strong foundations in sustainability and collaboration.
• Learn to effectively navigate the complex circumstances and challenges of contemporary development.
• Build practical skills for effective negotiation, diplomacy, and cross-cultural communication.
• Champion positive, proactive, and improved social transformation in a global context.
• Develop the digital competencies required in the modern development sector.

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Outline:

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Content:

The program explores key development theories, contemporary global issues in development, fundamental principles of leadership and the nuances of leading in development, the complexities of institutional structures, and how to implement change within an organizational context. It emphasizes highly applicable skills and knowledge, with interactive teaching and opportunities to experience and practice developing leadership skills in real-world scenarios.

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Structure:

The program is structured over two years, with four taught units in year one, followed by two taught units and a research project in year two.

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Course Schedule:

• Academic teaching start date for 2024 entry is 26 August 2024.
• Each institution (University of Manchester and University of Melbourne) is responsible for teaching three units over the two years.
• Units are delivered throughout the year, with study periods beginning in September, November, February, and May.

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Individual Modules:

• Contemporary Development: Examines the rapidly changing landscape of contemporary global development, exploring key development theories, paradigms, and concepts, as well as critically examining the implications of shifts in the global context for development institutions, programs, and frameworks.
• Contemporary Leadership: Examines the key aspects of leadership theory, specifically the foundations of exercising influence and the role of situational factors.
Key themes include understanding different styles and models of leadership, the distinction between the role of manager and leader, the connection between leadership and political and organizational governance, issues of power, dependencies, accountability, and responsibility, and the requisite qualities of leadership.
• Leading Development: Examines the distinctiveness of leadership in the development sector, critically exploring the changing meaning of leadership and the implications of the post-heroic perspective on leadership for global development.
• Organization Development and Change: Focuses on the organizational context where development leaders plan and implement change initiatives.
It draws on theoretical foundations from applied behavioral sciences and covers interpersonal, group, intergroup, and organization-wide interventions to effect comprehensive and lasting change. It examines innovative strategies for training and developing leaders, as well as planning and implementing succession in global development sector organizations.
• International Management and Leadership: Examines the processes of internationalization in private- and public-sector, multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations, examining the challenges and opportunities for addressing global inequalities.
It explores global trends including the formation of public/NGO private partnerships, corporate social entrepreneurship, new forms of business models, value chain arrangements, and open innovation.
• Leadership Skills in Action: Applies management and leadership knowledge and skills gained through the program using adaptive simulations.
The focus is on the practical management of change and leading through challenges and uncertainties related to a specific challenge and context.

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Assessment:

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Methods:

• Written assignments
• Peer reviews
• Reflective learning
• Scenario simulation reporting
• Group work
• Engagement and contribution to group discussions

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Criteria:

• Critical analysis of complex institutional structures and power relationships
• Development of leadership skills in a highly complex sector
• Ability to navigate and make change happen
• Application of learning and practical leadership competencies directly into the workplace using real-life scenarios and global case studies

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Teaching:

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Methods:

• Interactive teaching
• Virtual learning environment (VLE) with access to course materials, online reading lists, podcasts, and the University's extensive online library
• Inductions to the two virtual learning environments at the start of the course

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Faculty:

• Jaco Renken (Manchester)
• Natalie Cunningham (Manchester)
• Violeta Schubert (Melbourne)

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Unique Approaches:

• Action-based, reflective learning facilitated through a comprehensive online platform, simulations, individual and group projects
• Emphasis on forging strong enduring networks among study fellows and alumni

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Leadership roles in the development sector
• Management positions in international organizations
• Policy development and advocacy
• Consulting and research
• Education and training

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Opportunities:

• Build a professional network across the globe
• Gain a broader perspective through interactive teaching and learning from colleagues and fellow students in diverse settings
• Hone leadership skills and knowledge acquired through the course in the workplace
• Build resilience and practice applying skills in real-life scenarios

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Outcomes:

• Advance in career roles
• Work with complex stakeholders and organizations
• Champion positive, proactive, and improved social transformation in a global context

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Other:

• The program is delivered in partnership with the University of Melbourne, drawing on the combined strength of two world-class institutions.
• The fully online course provides flexibility to study around commitments and complete the program part-time over 24 months.
• Applicants from all disciplinary backgrounds are welcomed.
• The program embraces action-based, reflective learning, facilitated through a comprehensive online platform, simulations, individual and group projects.
• The program is designed to forge strong enduring networks among study fellows and alumni.

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• Total course tuition fee for entry in September 2024 is $28,152AUD.
• One-discount policy : Discounts and scholarships are not accumulative.
If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
• Payment by instalments
You will be able to pay for each unit as the unit starts at the beginning of each study period. This will take place in September, November, February and May of each year you study with us.