Master of Law and International Development (MLawIntDev)
Law is increasingly recognised as having an important role in helping to achieve development goals. Law is now central to the ways in which the international community provides assistance to developing countries to help reduce poverty, achieve the Millenium Development Goals, engage with the global economy, and improve security and justice, The past decade has witnessed a significant growth in the work of law within international development, led by multilateral organisations such as the UN and its agencies, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank and by bilateral donors such as AusAID, DFID and USAID. This has led to an increasing demand for legal qualifications and expertise in Australia and beyond.
The Master of Law and International Development (MLawIntDev) is a new specialist Masters degree that recognises the importance of law in international development while building on Sydney Law School’s reputation as Australia’s leading Law School in international, global and transnational law. The degree will prepare you for work in international development, including in specialist law and justice areas.
It consists of foundation courses giving an overview of the role of law in international development, together with units from six thematic clusters: Development and Rights, Environment Climate Change and Sustainability in Development, Global Health Law and Development, Legal Pluralism, Rule of Law and Governance, and Trade and Development.
In addition, there will be opportunities to participate in the Law School’s off-shore courses in Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia and China and in specific skills courses such as
project management.
The objective is to provide you with a realistic context as to the role of law in international development, one which, while underpinned by theory, is firmly based in practice.
Program Co-ordinator
Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit average in law, development studies, commerce, economics, environmental studies, government, international studies, social work, science, or public administration, or in another relevant discipline as determined by the Faculty, or an equivalent qualification.
Program Structure
Students must complete one compulsory core unit of study, one core unit of study plus at least two capstone units of study. The remaining units of study are undertaken on an elective basis.
Consequently, to qualify for the award of the Master of Law and International Development, a student must complete 72 credit points, including:
(1) 6 credit points of compulsory core unit of study;
(2) a minimum of 6 credit points of core units of study;
(3) a minimum of 12 credit points of capstone units of study; and
(4) a minimum of 36 credit points of units of study from the Faculty of Law.
Sydney Law School may grant a candidate a reduced volume of learning in recognition of their qualifications and/or experience Students that are granted a reduced volume of learning must complete one compulsory core unit of study plus at least one capstone unit of study. The remaining units of study are undertaken on an elective basis.
Students who have been granted a reduced volume of learning in recognition of their qualifications and/or experience must therefore complete 48 credit points, including:
(1) 6 credit points of compulsory core unit of study;
(2) a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone units of study; and
(3) a minimum of 24 credit points of units of study from the Faculty of Law.
Attendance Pattern
The attendance pattern for this course is full-time or part-time according to candidate choice.
Duration
| ATTENDANCE | CREDIT POINTS(CP) PER SEMESTER | MAXIMUM (from first enrolment) |
|---|---|---|
| FULL-TIME | 18-24 CP | 6 YEARS* |
| PART-TIME | max 12 CP | 6 YEARS* |
Units of Study
Please note: some units of study may have pre-requisite requirements or prohibition guidelines and may not be available to those without a law degree. Please check with the Sydney Law School directly if in doubt.
| Compulsory Unit of Study (2013) |
|---|
| Law, Justice and Development* |
*Please note: this unit must be completed within the first year of enrolment.
Candidates must complete at least 6 credit points of core units of study
| Core Units of Study (2013) |
|---|
| Academic Communication for Postgraduates (*) |
| Development: Critical Perspectives A |
| Rethinking Poverty |
| International Law I (*) |
| Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System (*) |
(*) This unit is not available to students who are granted a reduced volume of learning.
Candidates must complete at least 12 credit points of capstone units of study and 36 credit points of units of study from the Faculty of Law.
| Capstone Units of Study (2013) |
|---|
| Independent Research Project |
| Legal Pluralism in Southeast Asia |
| Development, Law and Human Rights |
| Units of Study by other Faculties (2013) |
|---|
| Academic Communication for Postgraduates |
| Development: Critical Perspectives A |
| Foundation of International Health |
| Global Social Policy |
| Introduction to Sustainability |
| Key Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies |
| Project Management |
| Public Sector Leadership* |
| Rethinking Poverty |
*Please note: approval is required from Graduate School of Government prior to enrolment.
Staff
Staff teaching in this program have active research programs and publication records in administrative law and policy. Information on individual staff, their research interests and publications, may be obtained from the Our People section of the website.
