Development Studies
Overview
Job Growth
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Duration
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Avg. Salary
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Career Paths
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Program Description
Development Studies explores how communities grow, how policies affect people's lives, and how to solve social problems. You will study human behaviour, sociology, basic psychology, community development, research methods, and policy analysis. The program teaches you to collect and interpret data, plan community projects, and communicate findings clearly. Graduates can work as social workers, community development officers, policy analysts, sociologists, or pursue psychology and counseling roles. This course is practical and people-centred, good for students who care about social change, want hands-on fieldwork, and hope to help communities in Ghana and beyond. With curiosity and commitment, you can build a career that makes a real difference.
Aims & Objectives
Develop the ability to design and carry out community surveys, interviews, and focus groups with ethical standards.
Master basic statistical analysis and interpret social data using tools like Excel or SPSS for clear reporting.
Understand theories of society, development, and psychology, and apply them to solve local community problems.
Create clear community assessment reports and project plans that include goals, activities, and measurable outcomes.
Why Choose This Program?
Strong job relevance
Graduates are in demand by NGOs, government agencies, and community organisations in Ghana for roles in development, policy, and social services.
Practical field experience
Coursework includes community assessments and internships, giving hands-on skills that employers value.
Pathways to further study
Provides a clear route to specialist training or postgraduate study in sociology, social work, public policy, or psychology.
Impactful work
You learn to design and implement projects that improve education, health, livelihoods, and social welfare in communities.
Skills & Tools
Skills You'll Develop
Learn to design surveys, conduct interviews and focus groups, and use tools like KoboToolbox or ODK for field data collection.
Use Microsoft Excel, SPSS or PSPP to clean data, run basic statistics, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
Prepare policy briefs, research reports and project proposals that present findings and recommendations clearly.
Apply participatory appraisal techniques to identify needs, set priorities, and design community development plans.
Tools & Resources
Microsoft Excel
SPSS or PSPP
NVivo or QDA software for qualitative analysis
KoboToolbox or ODK for mobile data collection
Challenges & Tips
Challenges
Understanding research methods and statistics
Applying theory to real communities
Tips & Advice
Start with basic Excel exercises, use free tutorials, and practise on small class projects to build confidence.
Join field visits, volunteer in local projects, and discuss case studies with teachers and peers.
Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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