International Development Studies (Arts) | Academic Advising & Career Centre

Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities

Program Overview

International Development Studies is a challenging program intended for bright and self-motivated students who are interested in both excelling academically and actively engaging themselves in the pursuit of social justice around such issues as poverty, inequality, and oppression. The Major program provides students with a critical understanding of international development issues through exposure to a variety of academic disciplines and cultures. Students will not only learn the complex dynamics of development theory, but will have the opportunity for practical experience that is essential to professional development.

Complementary Programs:

Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Human Geography, Health Studies, Media Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology or Women’s and Gender Studies.

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

Competencies & Skills

Knowledge and understanding of the connections among issues such as inequality, poverty, and oppression
Ability to identify the roles of historical, sociocultural, economic, and political power in social and economic difference among countries
Analytical writing and communication skills
Research design
Project management and evaluation

Careers for Graduates

International Development Consultant
Communications Officer
Gender & Equity Expert
Development Associate/Grant Writer
Knowledge Translation Officer
Community Development Officer
Governance Officer
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Policy Advisor
Impact Investor
Law/Legal Services
Start-ups, Social Innovation
Medical Practitioners
Global Health Advisor

Further Education

International Development
Public Policy/Global Affairs
Geography/Urban Planning
Environmental Science
Public Health
Law
Medicine
Teacher Education

Program Pathway

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely

0.5 credit as follows: IDSA01H3.
Consider quantitative research methods courses such as GGRA30H3 or STAB23H3 to lay a foundation for courses next year.
Explore breadth requirements and electives outside the program such as Natural Sciences or Arts, Literature and Language courses.
Use Degree Explorer and UTSC Calendar to plan your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Writing and reading support is available at the CTL Writing Centre.
Attend IDSSA facilitated study groups.
Sign up for AA&CC study skills workshops on CLNx (Events & Workshops).
Attend the annual Winter Critical Hope Lecture.

Apply Theory to Practice

Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities on the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx).
Attend the Fall and Winter IDS Potluck to observe the poster presentations from students returning from the field.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Join the International Development Studies Students’ Association (IDSSA); attend their events and programs.
Explore other relevant student clubs on campus and get involved.
Volunteer in DSL’s Alternative Reading Week program to gain experience and knowledge about social change and community development; explore other DSL programs.

Plan for Your Future Career

Volunteer with organizations to explore your interest within relevant industries; check listings on CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
Register with SCSU’s Volunteer Network Program.
Research labour trends in development studies at idsemployment.weebly.com.

Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely

1.5 credits from the following: IDSB01H3; IDSB02H3; IDSB04H3; IDSB06H3; IDSB07H3; POLB90H3.
Consider which courses you would like to do for the Specialized Courses requirement in these 6 areas: Media & Development, Culture & Society, Environment & Land Use, Economics of Development, Gender & Health, Politics & Policy.
Use Degree Explorer.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Schedule an appointment with your program librarian for in-depth library research assistance.
Explore Research Assistant opportunities through the Work Study program on CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment> Work Study).
Contact Faculty members and inquire about research opportunities.

Apply Theory to Practice

Research about experiential learning opportunities on campus: utsc.utoronto.ca/experiential.
Connect with like-minded local organizations and explore skill building Work Study opportunities on CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment>Work Study).

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Participate in initiatives planned by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and Oxfam at UTSC.
Consider doing the ISC’s Global Citizenship Certificate to prepare for working and succeeding in a culturally diverse and rapidly changing world.
Explore ISC’s Global Learning opportunities like a Summer Abroad; visit ISC for details.

Plan for Your Future Career

Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
If you are considering grad school, speak to professors and program advisors early so you know what to keep in mind.
Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.
Sign up for the ALL-IN Leadership Program at the DSL.

Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely

Methods for IDS: IDSC04H3 and 1.0 credit from selected courses; 0.5 credit in quantitative/statistical methods and 0.5 credit in qualitative methods (please check the UTSC Calendar for details).
Start taking Specialized courses in the 6 areas of concentration.
Take applicable prerequisites for D-levels next year.
Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Develop research skills by entering to win the UTSC Library Undergraduate Research Prize or Poster Forum.
Apply for the University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA) to conduct summer research projects under the supervision of a faculty member.

Apply Theory to Practice

Consider enrolling in IDSC20H3 and learn about the challenges faced by communities in their interactions with a range of development actors, including international development agencies, local Non Governmental Organizations (NGO), state actors and universities.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Volunteer to be a First Year Peer Advisor in DSL’s First Year Experience Program.
Intern with an NGO in Ghana, Malawi, Sri Lanka or Tanzania with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship; visit the ISC.
Attend the UTSC Get Experience Fair to learn about local and international opportunities.

Plan for Your Future Career

Attend CCDS networking events.
Do informational interviews with organizations you are interested in.
Plan a career path with an AA&CC staff member.
Go to the UTSC Graduate & Professional School Fair in September.
Develop professional skills by joining a conference like TEDxUTSC or International Development Conference through the DSL.

Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely

4.5 credits from courses listed in Requirement 5 of the B.A. version of the Specialist program in IDS with at least 1.0 credit from each of TWO of the clusters.
Complete your Specialized courses requirement.
Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.
Register your “Intent to Graduate” on ACORN by the deadline.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Apply for the CCDS Faculty Mentorship Project or consider completing a Supervised/Independent Research Project in IDSD14H3 / IDSD15H3.

Apply Theory to Practice

Consider participating in the International Development Conference at UTSC; visit the ISC for details.
Consider enrolling in IDSD19H3 and explore whether such engagements offer opportunities for effective social change and improved theory.
Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Consider becoming a student member of a professional association such as Canadian Association for the Study of International Development and network with external IDS professionals.
Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.

Plan for Your Future Career

Meet with your Program Supervisor/Advisor regarding applying to graduate studies.
Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course.”
Get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Glossary

AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
NGO - Non-Governmental Organization (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/briefing-materials/corporate-book/non-governmental-organizations.html)
SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
UTEA - U of T Excellence Award (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/research/university-toronto-excellence-award)