Overview
Master in Sustainable Development at KUSOED
The Master in Sustainable Development (MSD) is a two-year master’s program offered through the Department of Development Education at Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED). The program carries 54 credit hours across four semesters and accepts applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline who meet the specified academic threshold.
MSD approaches sustainable development through environmental, social, economic, educational, technological, and institutional perspectives. Its curriculum covers sustainability fundamentals, ecology and environment, sustainable economics, global change, gender and social inclusion, environmental management, development projects, communication, participatory development, research, electives, internship, and dissertation or research projects.
Course at a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Course: | Master in Sustainable Development |
| Abbreviation: | MSD |
| Institution: | Kathmandu University School of Education |
| University: | Kathmandu University |
| Department: | Department of Development Education |
| Level: | Master’s |
| Duration: | 2 Years |
| Semesters: | 4 |
| Total credits: | 54 Credit Hours |
| Eligibility: | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with CGPA 2.5/4.0 or second division |
| Practical component: | Internship and research |
About Master in Sustainable Development
The Master in Sustainable Development is part of KUSOED’s Development Education portfolio. The Department of Development Education connects education with development and engages with development issues through different academic and interdisciplinary perspectives. It also offers programs in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Indigenous Education and Development, and advanced research in development studies.
The MSD curriculum is built around the interaction of environment, society, and economy. It also addresses governance-related, technological, social, cultural, and educational dimensions through subjects such as environmental management, gender equity and social inclusion, project management, communication, participatory development, and policy-oriented electives.
The program therefore examines sustainable development as an interdisciplinary field rather than limiting it to environmental study alone.
Duration and Credit Structure
Duration: Two years
Semesters: Four
Total credits: 54 credit hours
The program consists of:
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Core courses — 6 credits
-
Specialization courses — 33 credits
-
Elective courses — 6 credits
-
Practical courses — 9 credits
Students complete two core courses, eleven specialization courses, two electives, an internship, and either a dissertation or two research projects.
Core Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 508 | Theory and Practice in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 509 | Research Methodology | 3 |
The core component places sustainable development study within an educational and research framework. Research Methodology also provides preparation for the formal research component later in the program.
Specialization Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSD 512 | Fundamentals of Sustainable Development | 3 |
| EDSD 513 | Statistical Techniques for Research | 3 |
| EDSC 514 | Ecology and Environment | 3 |
| EDSD 515 | Economics of Sustainability and Enterprises | 3 |
| EDSC 516 | Global Change and Sustainable Technology | 3 |
| EDSD 517 | Gender Equity and Social Inclusion | 3 |
| EDSD 518 | Sociology and Local Cosmology of Sustainable Development | 3 |
| EDSC 522 | Environmental Management | 3 |
| EDSD 527 | Project Management for Development Results | 3 |
| EDSD 528 | Communication in Sustainable Development | 3 |
| EDSD 546 | Participatory Approach in Development | 3 |
These eleven courses account for 33 credits and form the main specialization component of the degree.
The subjects move from foundational concepts to applied development concerns. Students encounter environmental and ecological study alongside economics, technology, inclusion, sociology, project management, communication, and participatory approaches.
Elective Courses
Students select any two elective courses for a total of six credits.
Available options include:
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EDSD 524 Natural Resource Management and Environmental Ethics
-
EDSD 529 Education for Sustainable Development
-
EDSD 530 Conservation Management
-
EDSD 533 Global Climate Change
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EDSD 534 Policy and Planning for Sustainable Development
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EDSD 536 Education for Social Transformation
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EDSD 537 Discourses of Education and Development
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EDSD 538 Globalization and Emerging Institution
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EDSD 539 Management and Leadership in Sustainable Development
-
EDSD 542 Community Research
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EDSD 543 Community Activity
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EDSD 545 Independent Study
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EDSD 532 International and Comparative Perspective in Sustainable Development
The elective structure allows students to add depth in areas such as climate change, conservation, policy, education, leadership, community work, globalization, or comparative sustainable development.
Internship and Research
Practical and research study accounts for nine credits.
Internship: EDSD 541 Internship — 3 credits
Students then complete one of two research routes:
Dissertation: EDSD 559 Dissertation — 6 credits
or
Research Projects: EDSD 544 Research Project I — 3 credits and EDSD 554 Research Project II — 3 credits.
The internship brings an applied component into the program, while the dissertation or research-project pathway provides formal research experience. Statistical Techniques for Research and Research Methodology further support the research dimension of the degree.
Eligibility
Eligibility: Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or second division in the aggregate score.
The eligibility requirement is not restricted to graduates from environmental science, education, development studies, or another single discipline.
Learning Environment
The Department of Development Education uses online and blended classroom arrangements within its academic activities. It also incorporates community-oriented engagement, including fieldwork, to connect classroom study with community contexts.
KUSOED more broadly uses blended pedagogy for postgraduate education, combining online and face-to-face learning.
For MSD, this wider environment complements coursework in participatory development, community research, project management, communication, and sustainable development.
Admission and Academic Regulations
Admission, entrance, curriculum administration, examinations, results, academic progression, and degree award follow the rules and regulations of Kathmandu University.
KUSOED organizes master’s admission according to program and intake. Applicants to MSD must meet the stated bachelor-level academic eligibility for the program.
Academic Focus
Master in Sustainable Development integrates several areas within one degree:
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Sustainable development theory
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Ecology and environment
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Sustainable economics
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Global change and technology
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Gender equity and social inclusion
-
Sociology and local perspectives
-
Environmental management
-
Development project management
-
Sustainable development communication
-
Participatory development
-
Research and statistical methods
-
Internship and applied study
The program may suit graduates interested in examining development through environmental, social, economic, educational, and institutional perspectives. Professional directions depend on previous qualifications, experience, competencies, and the requirements of individual organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration of Master in Sustainable Development at KUSOED?
The program runs for two years across four semesters.
How many credits does MSD carry?
The program carries 54 credit hours.
What is the eligibility for MSD?
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or second division in aggregate.
Which department offers the program?
MSD is offered through the Department of Development Education at Kathmandu University School of Education.
Does the program include an internship?
Yes. EDSD 541 Internship carries three credits.
Does MSD include research?
Yes. Students complete either a six-credit dissertation or Research Project I and Research Project II.
Are elective courses available?
Yes. Students choose two three-credit electives from the available Sustainable Development options.
What areas does the program cover?
The curriculum includes sustainability, environment, economics, technology, inclusion, sociology, project management, communication, participatory development, research, and related elective areas.
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