Postgraduate Programmes

MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

MMU is pleased to announce the launch of the Master of Arts in Community Development programme from September 2009.

VISION STATEMENT



The vision of Mount Meru University's Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) is of its graduates being transformed servant leaders in communities where they are called. It is envisioned that they have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to serve faithfully and competently at the local, regional, national, or global community levels, being key players in raising people's standard of living, whether in rural or urban contexts, whether at base community, or equipping others to be engaged in effective community development, or whether through direct community involvement, research, publication, or consultancy. Further, it is envisioned that the communities themselves, where these graduates serve, are God-fearing transformed places that reflect creation as it was originally intended to be.



MISSION STATEMENT



The mission of Mount Meru University's Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) programme is to develop in the learner a comprehensive and responsible vision that will shape and guide the stewardship of their servant leadership. Acquired academic and practical skills will also enable candidates to be better educators and administrators in their own contexts. The programme will develop God-fearing valued leaders who have political, social, and personal sensitivities, knowledge, skills, and attitudes with which to engage one’s context with an appropriate understanding of such things as culture, environment, economics, public health...all vital components of sustainable community development. Further, research will be conducted and published, and consultancy services offered on issues of development.



JUSTIFICATION



The Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) is established to address the critical shortage of trained servant community development leaders. In Tanzania, and its surrounding nations, there is an awareness of the importance of higher education, including the area of community development. Tanzania's Development Vision 2025, paragraph 1.2.4 states, Tanzania envisages to be a nation whose people are ingrained with a developmental mindset and competitive spirit. The document further states that, these attributes are driven by education and knowledge...and a high level of quality education in order to respond to development challenges. Further, the Tanzania Vision 2025 states that, people must cultivate a community spirit[2].



RATIONALE



Mount Meru University is well situated to offer degrees at the advanced level. Further, it is proposed that the Master of Arts degree in Community Development be the initial advanced level programme at MMU, as Tanzania's Development Vision 2025 further states that Tanzania is to, be a nation with high quality of education at all levels; a nation which produces the quantity and quality of educated people sufficiently equipped with the requisite knowledge to solve the society's problems, meet the challenges of development and attain competitiveness at regional and global levels[3]. To this end, it is expedient that education, in particular advanced training in community development, be offered at Mount Meru University as a response to development challenges that local communities, the nation, the region, and the world are currently facing.



OBJECTIVES



The specific objectives of Mount Meru University's Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) are:



1.To provide a structured learning environment in which skilled and valued servant leaders of community development are formed.

2.To meet the demand for skilled and valued servant leaders who are God-fearing and who have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet the development needs of the local community, the nation, and the world at large.

3.To conduct field research that will add to the body of information in regard to development issues at the local, regional, and global levels.

4.To be a forum for intellectual dialogue and collaboration with other institutions focusing on issues of development.





ENTRY REQUIREMENTS



Applicants to this programme shall be required to have the following:



1.A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of second class lower division from an accredited university or college, or

2.An advanced or higher diploma with a minimum of second class lower division from an accredited institute or college of higher learning, or

3.An unclassified degree provided the total GPA is not less than 3.5 on a 5.0 scale, or 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, or

4.Any other education that is equivalent to an undergraduate degree, and

5.Satisfactory results of Test of English Proficiency exam, which includes a 1,000-word essay on the topic of why the candidate is applying for admission into the Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD).




APPLICATION PROCEDURES



Along with a completed application form, prospective students desiring to enroll in the Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) programme, must submit an application letter with the following attachments:



1. Current curriculum vitae

2. Certified copies of degree documents and corresponding transcripts

3.Two letters of recommendations from persons who are in a position to judge the applicant’s academic ability and character

4.A completed medical form signed by a medical doctor

5.A statement of 400 words of why the applicant wishes to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Community Development

6.A non-refundable processing fee of Tshs 30,000/



All documents accompanying the application must be in English. If applicant's documents are in any other languages, the applicant must attach an authenticated English translation.



STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME



The Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) is structured to be completed in four, residential semesters within a period of two years. This programme is located within the Faculty of Theology, and thus gives special application for those engaged in faith-based community development. Community Development involves integrating economic, social, ecological, and spiritual change, leading to healing and transformation. Development efforts cannot be separated from issues of faith and thus it is important to equip faithful leaders with skills to be used in addressing the needs of the whole person individually or within the context of the broader community.



The first semester of the first year is intended to provide a foundation in the study of development. Thus, the first semester courses focus mainly on broader theories, principles, and issues. It should also be noted that students are required to enroll in the non-credit course entitled, “Graduate English Writing.” However, students may opt out by demonstrating the necessary competency in written English composition in order for such an exemption to be granted.



The second semester of the first year, includes a foundational course focusing on preparing students for research that will provide background for students to conduct research. Other courses in the second semester add to the body of knowledge necessary for well-rounded community development leaders. The course, “Organizational Capacity Building” will provide a basis for project planning, design, and management. It is expected that student's research proposals will have been completed and approved by their respective advisors by the end of this semester. The subject matter of the research study must have major bearing on issues related to community development. Table 1 suggests a time-line for the major research project that will result in a thesis.



It is expected that students will conduct field research in the weeks following academic year one, and prior to the beginning of academic year two, between late May and mid-August.



In the first semester of the second year of study, MACD students select one 3-credit elective, from amongst four. These courses are taught in 3-hour weekly blocks, thus providing uninterrupted time for analysis and writing of the student's research document.



The final semester of the program is designed to bring all the pieces together, and provide additional knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by a successful community development leader. To graduate the following November, students must have their thesis in final form to their designated faculty readers by the end of this final semester.


 

Table 1.  Time-Line for Major Research Project

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate, receiving the degree of “Master of Arts in Community Development,” the candidate must:

1.Not be in debt to the university, or in possession of its property such as library books.

2.Have taken and successfully completed all the prescribed courses, a total of 42 credit hours. Any course with a grade of less than “B” must be repeated.  A student who does not complete the course requirements for the MACD within four years will be de-registered.

Download the application materials:

Application form

Academic recommendation form

Character recommendation form

Medical form

Proposed fees

For more information of Admission Requirements  and Credit Transfers click here