About this programme
The aim of the 18-month MA in Development Management is the training of professionals to meet the increasing need for experts in programme and project management that has emerged in international development cooperation. The course gives the student a solid theoretical background and introduces the necessary tools for dealing with the practical problems of managing development programmes and projects. Elements of the curriculum are an introduction to relevant theories in social science and economics, methods of empirical social research, project cycle management, and the application of theoretical and methodological knowledge. During the first semester, an interdisciplinary introduction to relevant theories and strategies of development, mainly from the economic and social science perspective, is given. Attention is also given to methods of empirical research. The second semester further substantiates the knowledge about developmental topics, focusing in particular on different methods of programme and project planning, implementation, and evaluation. During the third semester, students concentrate on finalising their Master's thesis. For their Master's thesis projects, students, in consultation with their mentor, identify a research problem related to a development programme or project as a starting point during the first semester. During the second semester, the topic is addressed from a theoretical perspective in a seminar paper which is also aimed at preparing the student for the empirical research carried out after that semester. The final thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to embed their research in the scientific debate and to communicate it in a clear and coherent way. The programme is organised as a mixture of coursework and research work. During their first semester, students are given a multidisciplinary introduction to relevant theories and strategies of development. They learn about actors in international development cooperation and the role of institutions for development and are faced with relevant case studies. Furthermore, students select a research problem related to a development programme or project as the starting point for their own research project (Master's thesis). This project is preferably related to their home country. After the first semester, students can undertake a three-month internship in Germany in a development organisation or a corporation in the private sector. Based on acquired knowledge of relevant theories and tendencies in international development cooperation, the second semester is taken up with learning about the variety of methods of programme and project planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students are required to apply their knowledge to case studies related to the programme or project chosen in the first semester and to present the results in a seminar paper. In addition, the programme includes a one-week trip to Bonn, during which students can visit several institutions specialising in development research and practice, gaining first-hand insights into their work. After the second semester, students undertake field research on projects and programmes in international development cooperation in developing countries. This will form the empirical basis of their Master's thesis project. In the third semester, students concentrate on writing their thesis which has to contain theory, methodology, and the results of the fieldwork. The thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to embed the research in the scientific debate and to communicate it in a clear and coherent way.
Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source