IGNOU Introduces its First Master’s Programme in Home Science

The Indira Gandhi National Open University has announced its first master’s programme in Home Science – MSc in Community Development and Extension Management. The course is designed to fulfil the educational aspirations of Home Science graduates and graduates from other disciplines who wish to become development practitioners and implement community development projects for livelihoods, skilling and beyond. 

The School of Continuing Education offers the two-year course in English with an Open Distance Learning format.

According to the press release, this program will give students the chance to learn about the subtleties of extension, development communication, social and behavioral change, advocacy, resource mobilization, participatory media, gender mainstreaming, maternal and child health, community-based research, and interdisciplinary areas of home science.

Eligibility criteria

Graduates of Home Science/Community Sciences, Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, or any other subject who want to work in the development field may apply to this program. Students with a background in science can also gain from this curriculum since it will enable them to apply scientific knowledge to the advancement of their communities.

Course content

Students will learn the fundamentals and practical skills of community extension and development studies in the first year of the MSc program. Among the courses are Community Organization and Community Development (MHC-002), a theory course worth four credits, and Fundamentals of Development and Extension (MHC-001), a theory paper for six credits. Additionally, the program provides two theoretical courses that contribute six credits each: Media in Development Communication (MDC-003) and Development: Information and Communication Technologies (MDC-005).

Students will also take two theory courses worth four credits each: Participatory Community Development (MHC-004) and Program Planning and Evaluation (MHC-003). Field Project in Home Science (MHCP-001), a practical component of the program, is worth four credits.

Students must select from the six-credit theory courses Rural Development Programs (MRD-202) and Gender and Development: Concept, Approaches and Strategies (MGS-001). For professionals working in the fields of development and community extension, this program structure guarantees a well-balanced combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application.

With a focus on Community Development and Extension Management, the MSc. 2nd year Home Science program offers a wide range of theory and project-based courses designed to give students advanced knowledge and useful skills.

Among the courses are Training and Development (MDV-110), a theory course worth six credits, and Community Sciences and Community Development: Emerging Issues (MHC-005), a theory paper worth eight credits. Additionally, students take four credits of Management of Maternal and Child Health (MHC-006) and six credits of Social and Behaviour Change (MHC-007).

Additionally, the curriculum offers a Research Project in Home Science (MHCP-002), a project-based course worth six credits, and Research Methods in Community Development and Extension Management (MHC-008), which is worth four credits. Fundamentals of CSR (MEDS-051) and Rural Development: Issues and Concerns (MHC-009) are two theory courses that students can elect to take. Each course is worth six credits.

With the exception of the optional, every course is required. For students interested in a career in community development and extension management, the program’s 80 total credit requirement guarantees a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience.

Opportunities after the course

The employability scope of this programme extends to Programme / Project officers in Government, Intergovernmental, Multilateral and International Organisations across sectors like social welfare, rural development, health services and agriculture, NGOs, CSR Foundations, Corporations and Social Enterprises; Academicians, Researchers, PGTs in schools and Officers in skill development.