Master's of Contemporary Development of China 2012

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Program Description

In some developing nations, poverty, stagnation, poor governance and similar issues have constantly made their development goals unattainable. While the study and research of these issues have gained prominence worldwide in the last decades, most attention has been given to the means of achieving economic growth while overlooking the means to achieve social development. However, many social correlates of economic development – lack of a social safety net, missing care systems for the highly vulnerable, and inadequacies in the development of education and public health – have plagued many developing economies today and will further delay the development of other late developers in the future.

Conducted by the School of Social Development and Public Policy and supported by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, the Master's Program in Contemporary Development of China aims to locate the processes and public policy framework of international development firmly within evidence-based theory and practice. It seeks to contextualize and analyze the processes that have shaped poverty and underdevelopment in developing countries, specifically in China, and the many responses to them. The program offers a grounded and multi-disciplinary approach to issues of development in global, national and local contexts for students interested in pursuing a career in government bodies, development agencies, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations. At the end of the program, students should have a deep understanding of China's development processes and their implications, and how international thinking and perspectives on development have impacted upon different local sites of development. Students should have gained critical skills in analyzing development policy and undertaking development research.

The program adopts an interdisciplinary approach to development studies, combining class lectures with field visits and internships. In particular, the program focuses on the formation and reform of specific development policies in the fields of social welfare, public health, risk and emergency management, education, child development, migration, sustainable development, etc. The program is taught in English by top Chinese and international scholars and practitioners in relevant fields.

The program is prepared both for well-trained undergraduate students majoring in any subjects of social sciences and for those with professional work experience in development fields. 20-25 students are admitted every year.

Curriculum

The Master's of Contemporary Development of China is a 2-year program spanning four semesters of study. Courses in the full-time program begin in September and continue through July in each academic year.

Students are expected to complete 13 courses (six core courses and seven elective courses) and an extended thesis (around 20,000-30,000 words). In total there are 38 credits with 18 credits of core courses (3 credits each) and 14 credits of elective courses (2 credits each) plus a degree thesis of 6 credits.  

Basic Chinese language is offered as a 2-credit optional course in the degree program. Students may choose to take more advanced Chinese courses in the College of Chinese Language and Culture at BNU.

Core Courses:

•Development Theories 
•Global Economy and China  
•Introduction to Contemporary Development of China  
•Research Methodology  
•Case Studies of Development 
•Chinese Politics

Optional Courses:

•Basic Chinese  
•Public Policy in China  
•Poverty Reduction: Theory and Practice  
•Practicum: Issues in International Development
•Gender and Development
•Marriage and Family in China  
•Migration and Social Transition in China  
•Civil Society in China 
•Comparative Governance Studies  
•Social Welfare and Social Protection in China  
•Issues in Public Health in China  
•Risk and Emergency Management in China  
•NGO Leadership and Management  
•Internship 

Thesis

Successful completion of a Master's thesis of 20,000-30,000 words is required. Students need to choose a Master's thesis committee by the end of the 2nd semester and then under the direction of the chair and committee members students must defend the thesis proposal by the end of the 3rd semester. The final thesis defense is in June of the 4th semester. The proposal defense and final thesis defense are 2 credits and 4 credits, respectively.

Internship

Gaining practical experience is essential for a career in international development. The School encourages students to take advantage of studying in China by doing an internship in international and local development agencies or other types of development-related organizations. However, acceptable internships are not limited to China and students can choose to do it anywhere in the world as long as the work is related to development studies and, preferably, China. The School will provide some assistance in helping students identify internship opportunities. It also plans to organize a research-oriented internship trip for international and Chinese students.

Internship length is 60 days at a minimum. Performance is assessed with a 10-page work report and an evaluation letter from the internship supervisor. Two credits are awarded for successful accomplishment of the internship course.

How to Apply

        Step 1: Apply online at
        Step 2: Mail hard copies of all application documents.

Application Documents:

1. Application Form (print out the application form with your ID photo attached)
2. Application fee
3. C.V. 
4. Personal statement (800 words maximum)
5. Original copy of academic transcripts
6. Degree certificate(s) for all your previous degree(s), unless you are submitting a final transcript which confirms award of degree and final grade achieved.
- If the original documents are not in English, you must submit certified, official translations.
7. Two academic references (One from an employer if applicable)
8. For non-native English speakers, notarized proof of English level (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent)
9. Writing sample (preferably on a development topic)
10. Two 2-inch photos from the last 6 months (no hats, glasses or other obstructions to a full head shot allowed)
11. Copy of the photo page of your valid personal passport

Deadline: The documents above must be prepared in English and mailed to the address below by June 15, 2012.

Office of International Students & Scholars' Affairs 
Beijing Normal University
19 Xinjiekou Wai St.
Haidian District
Beijing, China 100875

For detailed application procedure and documents, please refer to 
 

Notification

As we review applications on a rolling basis, applicants will be notified of our decision as soon as a review is done. We highly encourage prospective students to submit applications as early as possible. Applicants will receive the final admission decision from BNU by mail.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a social science discipline, experience in development-related work preferred;

TOEFL or IELTS score required for international students whose first language is not English:
- Applicants who have received an original degree from an English-medium program in previous institutions can be exempted from test requirements. 

Fees and Expenses

 Application fee: RMB 600 (non-refundable)
 Tuition: RMB 98,000 (2-year)
 Living expenses in Beijing
       On-campus accommodation: RMB 1, 200 ~ 2,700 / month
       Other expenses: RMB 1, 500 / month on average
 Health Insurance: RMB 600 / year

Scholarship

Scholarships are available on the basis of merit. For more information regarding scholarship application, please visit BNU's website at  

Contact Information

Office of International Students & Scholars' Affairs
Email: isp@bnu.edu.cn (administrative affairs), yangtingting@bnu.edu.cn (academic affairs)
Tel: +86 (10) 58801861 58808364 
Fax: +86 (10) 58800823