• RMIT

14 July 2009The Master of Economic Development provides a unique postgraduate program on local and regional economic development. The program is designed for individuals who want an intensive professional education in economic development that will equip you to work as a qualified practitioner in this field. The program will help you as a practitioner, whether you work in local government, a State or Commonwealth agency, in a region-scale organisation whose primary task is economic development, or in another organisation which has economic development responsibilities or interests.

Why study Economic Development?

The program is designed to provide you with advanced skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively the wide range of tasks routinely undertaken by economic development professionals.

The program will be relevant to your learning needs whether you are working in a city, suburban, regional or rural economic development environment, and whatever stage of your professional career you have reached. The program will be particularly beneficial to you if you are new or relatively new to the economic development profession. If you are already an experienced professional working in economic development, the program will allow you to update and extend your knowledge about the field in which you work.

The objective of the program is to build your skills and knowledge to allow you to operate more effectively and to advance in your profession, well grounded in theory and informed by best practice. The program will provide context for your work as a leading practitioner, and allow you to critically analyse and advise on the merits of various approaches to economic development practice and implement these. There will be a balance of theory and practice and a blend of capabilities and knowledge that are specific to your profession.

As an economic development practitioner you face diverse and daunting challenges. The program will help you to apply the theory of local economic growth and be up-to-date with the latest thinking but, at the same time, employ a practical, results-oriented approach to your task.

There is also the option of completing a minor thesis or minor research project, allowing students to further develop their knowledge of a particular area.

Duration

Masters: three years part-time. This duration incorporates Graduate Diploma: two years part-time and Graduate Certificate: one year part-time.

Online study mode available.

Pathways

Candidates with previous postgraduate study and/or significant professional experience may be exempt for some courses. Please see the program coordinator for eligibility.

Career Prospects

Students in this program are likely already to be working in the field of economic development. The degree will provide further opportunities for career advancement as the only recognised program in Australia for economic development professionals.

Professional Recognition

The degree will count toward professional accreditation with Economic Development Australia, the professional body that represents economic development practitioners in Australia, with whom the program has been jointly developed.

The content of the program has been developed in close consultation with EDA, the professional body that represents economic development practitioners in Australia. This will help ensure that learning outcomes remain focused on your needs as a student and as a professional working in economic development.

You will be encouraged to include work based experience in assessment tasks in most courses in the program. This will be the case particularly at Masters level, with the opportunity for work related research projects. You will have the opportunity to develop strategies for economic development in your own community and region as part of your coursework. This will be enhanced by practitioner involvement in the supervision of your research projects.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have a recognised university qualification and/ or appropriate experience and demonstrated capacity to pursue study at a postgraduate level.

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Application Procedures

Timely applications for postgraduate coursework programs are due by:
10 November each year (Semester 1)*
31 May each year (Semester 2/Midyear entry)*

* Note: Applications will continue to be accepted until all places have been filled. You are encouraged to lodge your application early.
Future students may enquire through Info Corner (formerly the Office for Prospective Students) at any time.

Apply via:RMIT direct application form
Info Corner (formerly the Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. +61 3 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

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Fees

Fees for 2009: AU$11,040 per year full-time

Fees are payable at the commencement of each semester and are calculated annually.

The prices quoted are total program prices at 2009. Tuition fees are subject to annual adjustment and are not fixed for the duration of your study. Changes to fees are applied from 1 January each year. Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered/fullfees

Programs by coursework are offered on a Fee Paying Places (FFP) basis.

Fee Paying Places (FPP)
FPP students are required to pay the complete cost of their program. FPP fees vary according to each program.

Students offered a FPP maybe eligible for the FEE-HELP (FEE-Higher Education Loan Program) scheme, which enables eligible fee paying students to obtain an interest-free loan up to a maximum value of $80,000 from the Commonwealth Government to pay all or part of their tuition fees.

For further information: www.goingtouni.gov.au

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees will range between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Calculating tuition costs for Commonwealth supported students

Postgraduate Coursework Commonwealth Supported Equity Places
RMIT has a limited number of government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) in full-fee postgraduate coursework programs for applicants who meet entrance and equity criteria. Instead of paying full-fees either upfront or with a FEE-HELP loan, the CSP Equity place allows students to complete their program as a Commonwealth supported student in a subsidised place with a choice of up-front, partial up-front or deferred payment options.

For further information: www.rmit.edu.au/equity

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

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Program Structure

Currently no program structure is available online. Please contact the school listed under "Owning School" below.

Contact Details

Sue West
Academic services coordinator, HE
School of Global Studies, Social Science & Planning
Tel. +(61 3) 9925 2929
Email: sue.west@rmit.edu.au