The Master of Science in Sustainable Development (MSc Sustainable Development) is a comprehensive and a interdisciplinary program designed to address critical developmental gaps in India and South Asia. This two to four-year course is dedicated to creating the necessary capacity and resources to meet emerging needs for sustainable development. The program emphasizes the central importance of sustainability in various organizational agendas, spanning from corporations and non-governmental organizations to UN agencies, bilateral organizations, political parties, local governments, and international funding agencies. Students opting for this program will acquire first-hand knowledge and skills to tackle pressing issues such as global warming, limited energy resources, population growth, and the rise of newer economies. The curriculum involves interaction with international experts, employing pedagogies like problem-based and project-based learning, case studies, and field visits. The program structure consists of 13 core courses (four credits each) and seven open electives (four credits each), totaling 80 credits for degree completion.
Core courses are distributed across trimesters, with three in the first trimester, two each in the second to fifth trimesters, and a dissertation in the final trimester. Open electives are offered from the second to the fifth trimester, with one each in trimesters two to five and two in the final trimester. Candidates can choose electives from any of the five Choice-Based Credit programs offered by the university, but they are restricted to taking a maximum of two electives from one program, including their parent program. The duration of the program ranges from a minimum of two years to a maximum of four years. An additional year extension is possible with an extra fee. Successful completion of the program requires passing a minimum of 20 courses, accumulating 80 credits, including mandatory core courses. Overall, the MSc Sustainable Development program equips students to actively contribute to sustainable development efforts in the region and globally, preparing them for diverse roles across sectors committed to addressing the challenges of our rapidly changing world.