Master of Arts in Rural Development is a postgraduate course in arts. The duration of the course is 2 years. The main objective of the course is to impart theoretical and practical knowledge to the participants in diverse aspects of rural development. The course study helps the students to formulate a range of strategies that is meant to meet the social, economic and personal needs in rural areas. The course study helps the candidate to identify the socio-economic aspect of rural development.

Advantages or Benefits of Master of Arts in Rural Development

The course has various advantages with regard to social upliftment especially in rural areas. Interested candidates can undergo higher education programs after the completion of the course. Doctorate and MBA courses in rural management increase the chances to obtain a high profile job in future. The candidate can seek and apply for jobs in public as well as private sector enterprises.

Eligibility required for Master of Arts in Rural Development

Graduation is the basic qualification requirement to apply to the course. The bachelor degree must be obtained from a reputed educational institution with minimum 50% marks. Admission to the course is carried out on the basis of the marks of the qualifying bachelor degree. Certain institutions carry out their own selection test to the admission to the course.

Admission Procedure of Master of Arts in Rural Development

Applications for the course are usually invited at the beginning of each academic year. The candidate should go to the official portal of the institution (that offers the course) to collect details regarding the same. After analyzing the notification clearly, the candidate can apply for the course. It may include details regarding the ways to collect application form, the method to fill it and the address to which the filled application is submitted. The application is usually gathered through the official portal of the institution or it can be collected through University/institution office. Once the application is obtained the candidate should fill it clearly and submit to the concerned address before closing date.

Higher study options after Master of Arts in Rural Development

• M.B.A. (Rural Development and Management)
• M. Phil (Rural Development)
• M.Sc. (Agriculture and Rural Development)
• Master of Planning (Rural Planning and Management)
• Masters in Rural Studies (MRS)
• Ph.D (Rural Development)

Colleges offering Master of Arts in Rural Development

• Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjunanagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
• Andhra University, Vishakhapatanam, Andhra Pradesh
• Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi Post, Bangalore, Karnataka
• Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
• Government Raza P.G. College, Khusro Bagh, Rampur, UttarPradesh
• Hemachandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat
• I.I.S University, ICG campus, gurukul Marg, SFS Mansarovar, Jaipur, rajasthan
• Indira Gandhi National Open University
• Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varnasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Mahatma Phule Arts, Science, and Commerce Colleges
• Nalanda Open University, 2nd/3rd Floor, Biscomaun Bhawan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna, Bihar
• Nehru Gram Bharati University, Kotwa-Jamanipur Dubawal, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
• Ranchi University Shaheed  Chowk, Ranchi Jharkhand
• Ravenshew University, Cuttack, Orissa
• Solapur University, Solapur-Pune National Highway, Kegaon, Solapur, Maharasthra
• Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andrapradesh
• The Global Open University, Opposite Railway Station, Dimapur, Nagaland
• University Of Kalapani, Nadia, Kalyani, Westbengal
• University Of Lucknow, IPPR Cemnter, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh
• Veer Naramad South Gujarat University, University Campus Udhana Mandalla Road, Surat, Gujarat
• Veer Wajekar Arts, Science and Commerce, Mahalan Vibhag Phunde, Tal-Uran, Raigad, Maharasthra
• Vikram University, Madhav Bhavan, University Road, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Course Curriculum of Master of Arts in Rural Development

Semester-I

• Economics of   Production, Consumption and Welfare
• Theory of   Income, Employment and Prices
• Indian Rural Economy
• Social Change and Rural Development
• Statistical Methods and Computer Application for Rural Development

Semester-II

• Rural Finance
• HRD, Management Principles in Rural Sector
• Principles and Approaches of Rural Development
• Rural Development in India: Polices and Programmes
• Indian Economic Policy
• Field Work and Viva-voce

Semester-III

• Rural Markets in India
• Rural Institutions and Strategies
• Environmental Economics
• Agriculture Growth in India: Problems and Policies
• Rural Industrialization and Entrepreneurship

Semester –IV

• Micro Finance, SHGs and Women Empowerment
• Working with Rural People, Techniques and Process for Rural Development
• Non-Government Organization and Rural Development
• Rural Project, Planning, Management and Evaluation
• Natural Resources Management
• Field Work and Viva-voice

Text Books on Master of Arts in Rural Development

• A course in Microeconomic Theory by Kreps, David M
• Modern Microeconomics by Koutsyiannis
• Micro Economic Theory, by Llyard, P.R.G. and A.M.Malterss
• Microeconomics: Theory and Applications by Sen, A
• Theory of price by Stigler, G
• Microeconomic Analysis by Varian, H
• Economics Theory and Operations Analysis by Baumol V.J
• Micro Economic Theory by Henderson J.M and Quandt R.H
• Price Theory and Applications by Hirshleifer J. and A.Glazer
• Theory of the Firm by Penquin, Hormondsworth
• Micro Economics by Perloff J.M
• Macro Economic Analysis by Shapiro, E
• Economics by J.M.Keynes
• Macro Economic Theory and Policy by Aclley G
• The Demand for Money by Kauker
• Readings in Macro Economics by Mullor N.C
• A Theory of consumption Function by Riedmen
• Studies in Quantity Theory of Monely by Friedman, M
• Macro - Economics by M.L.Jhingan
• Macro – Economic by M.L.Sheth
• Society –An Introductory Analysis by R.M.Macivier and Charles H.Page
• Sociology – Themes and perspectives by M.Haralambos, R.M.Heald
• Dr.Dilip Shah – Rural Sociology ABD Publislhers, 2005
• Sociology – Experiencing Changing Societies – Kenneth C..W.Kammeyer, George Ritzer
• Leadership – Theory and Practice by Peter G. Nolrtghouse
• Bonded Labour and Social Justice by S.S.Prakash
• Principles of Sociology by K.Singh
• Indian Economy by Ruddar Datt.K.P.M.Sundaram
• Social Change in India by B.Kuppu Swamy

Job and Career Opportunities after Master of Arts in Rural Development

Master degree holders in Rural Development can trace adequate career opportunities in the area of social work. The candidate can work in government sector organizations and NGO s operating in the areas of rural progress, women and tribal welfare, and so on. Rural development organizations are another prosperous area where the candidate can trace job opportunities. Academics and health care are other fields where these candidates can find placement. Apart from this, the candidate can apply for various jobs profiles arising under Railways, Banks, Defense, Army, etc.

Remuneration after Master of Arts in Rural Development

The salary offered to the candidate depends on the nature of the job and the designation of the same. The initial level salary for these candidates in governmental sector may fall with in Rs. 10000/- to Rs. 15000/- per month. The salary packages offered in private organizations and cooperative societies may fall with in Rs. 8000/- to Rs. 15000/- per month. The candidate can expect a salary package of Rs. 20,000/- per month by gaining one-year experience in the job.