Designed with expert knowledge of working professionals, development practitioners and academicians, Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) have collaboratively launched a Master’s Programme in Participatory Development (MAPD). Keeping working professionals, new graduates and development practitioners in mind, MAPD will help in strengthening the understanding of the concept and practice of participatory development and developing knowledge and skills for managing development projects and programmes in a participatory manner. Through course work, assignments, field exposure and interactions with students and instructors, learners will explore the process of participation in development and governance interventions as well as strengthen understanding of key elements of managing developing organizations.
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Within a minimum period of two years and a maximum of five years learners can complete either one or all of the following:
PG Certificate in Participatory Development – PGCEPD (6 months)
PG Diploma in Participatory Development – PGDPD (1 year)
Advanced Diploma in Participatory Development – ADPD (18 months)
MA in Participatory Development – MAPD (2 years)
The two year program is delivered through a combination of distance mode and residential sessions based at IGNOU-PRIA Field Placement Centers (IPFPC). The Programme also provides working professionals with the flexibility of identifying the field sites of their choice in their area and also to complete their field work in flexible time-slots.
Combining theory with practice and field placement, this programme will prepare professionals who can manage development projects at district and state levels. This programme will also enable development practitioners to upgrade their professional competence, thereby improving their career prospects.
Benefits of this program/Why choose MAPD Program
This programme is unique in its foundations, approach and delivery:
Unique Foundations: This professional programme is based on a partnership between academicians and practitioners:
IGNOU, recognized as Centre of Excellence in Distance Education by the Commonwealth of Learning
PRIA Education, the academic and research unit of a civil society organization with three decades of experience in participatory development and democratic governance.
Unique Approach: This MA programme provides space for students to analyze and address current, complex problems, including livelihood security, inequality, and poverty. This programme will equip students to be agents of change, facilitators of change and to be champions of change. It will prepare students with the tools to design, develop and regenerate institutions-community organizations, NGOs and government.
Unique Delivery: The programme is offered in a distance mode, making learning accessible through part-time study, outside working hours. Distance delivery includes print materials, audio-visual CDs, guest faculty and immediate and engaged communication through web enabled bulletin board service.
Who should take up this programme?:
Candidates who possess a Bachelor´s Degree in any discipline are eligible to apply. It is open for people working or interested in working for inclusive development. The participants can be fresh graduates, mid-career development professionals or young professionals with limited practical experience.
Curriculum:
This programme consists of 10 courses and two field works. Completion of 1st semester (courses 1 to 3) will make the student eligible for PG Certificate; on completion of 1st & 2nd semester, PG Diploma will be awarded; completion of 1st, 2nd & 3rd semester will make the student eligible for Advanced Diploma and on completion of all the four semesters, a Master´s Degree will be awarded. The medium of instruction for this programme is English.
Semester 1: PG Certificate in Participatory Development (PGCPD) (18 credits)
Course 1: Understanding Participatory Development
Course 2: Development Policies and Programmes
Course 3: Democratic Governance and Civil Society
Semester 2: PG Diploma in Participatory Development (PGDPD) (36 credits)
Course 4: Securing Participation in Development
Course 5: Participatory Project Management
Course 6: Field work
(Field Action Report: Focus more on intervention and reporting on intervention. One month in the field)
Semester 3: Advanced Diploma in Participatory Development (ADPD)(54 credits)
Course 7: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks of Development Organizations
Course 8: Management of Development Organizations
Course 9: Management of Financial Resources
Semester 4: PG Degree in Participatory Development (MAPD)(72 credits)
Course 10: Communications
Course 11: Research Methodology
Course 12: Project Work:
(Project Report: Focus more on research, addressing a given problem)
Programme Duration:
The minimum duration is 2 years and the maximum duration is 5 years, delivered in a distance mode that includes print materials, audio-visual CDs, guest faculty and immediate and engaged communication through web enabled bulletin board service. It also includes two field placements (one in each year) which will be of two to three weeks duration each in select IGNOU-PRIA Field Placement Centres (IPFPC).
Admission criteria and process:
To be eligible for admission the minimum requirements is a bachelor degree in any discipline.
Fee Structure:
The programme tuition fee is Rs. 6,250 per semester (the expense incurred for field work assignments are not included and should be borne by the student).
How to Apply:
Application Form and Prospectus may be obtained by cash payment of Rs. 200 at the Office of Centre for Extension Education (CEE), IGNOU or Rs. 250 by registered post.