Sustainable Development Studies (SDS) at MSU-IIT began in April 2003 when DENR-MGB Region 10, led by Dir. Dario R. MiƱoza, proposed a partnership with MSU-IIT to create a graduate curriculum addressing Mindanao's multi-faceted environmental challenges.
A workshop followed in May 2003, curriculum crafting in January 2004, and formal approval via BOR Resolution No. 07, S. 2004 in July 2004, with an MOA signed in March 2004 between DENR and MSU-IIT. The program launched in Summer 2004 off-campus at DENR-MGB 10 with 12 students, growing to 21 in the first semester and 32 in the second of SY 2004-2005, taught by faculty from MSU-IIT, DENR, DA, DTI, NEDA, and industries.
The Doctor in Sustainable Development gained approval through BOR Resolution No. 47, S. 2005, establishing multidisciplinary, ladderized programs focused on sustainable solutions, resource management, community development, and economic planning. Graduate Program Committees were formed in July 2004 (Coordinator: Dr. Ermelinda G. Tobias) and October 2006 (Coordinator: Dr. Ruben F. Amparado), with subsequent coordinators including Dr. Liwayway S. Viloria (2011-2017), Dr. Sulpecia L. Ponce (2017-2019), and Dr. Marilou S. Nanaman (2019-2021). Strategic reviews in 2005, 2008, and 2009 refined objectives, curricula, and plans for expansion, research, extension, and linkages.
The Master in Sustainable Development Studies (MSDS) offers a comprehensive graduate education designed to address pressing global sustainability challenges through two distinct tracks: the research-oriented Academic Track under the Master of Science in Sustainable Development Studies (MS SDS), which emphasizes in-depth analysis, core foundational courses, cognate electives, specialized major courses, and culminates in a master's thesis to foster scholarly expertise; and the professionally focused Professional Track, which equips practitioners for immediate real-world application via core coursework, summer intensives in track-specific majors, 240 hours of field practice, and a capstone comprehensive exam to drive practical impact in sectors like community development, economic analysis, environmental engineering, resource management, urban planning, and peacebuilding.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
MAJOR IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ComDev)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Landscape Governance: Rural and Urban Development
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Dynamics of Community Empowerment
Gender and Human Security-Based Development
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
CapstoneĀ
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Landscape Governance
Dynamics of Community Empowerment
Gender and Human Security-Based Development
Indigenous Knowledge System and Practices
Human Ecology
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
MAJOR IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (EconDev)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Economic Analysis of the Environment
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Foundations of Development Economics
Ecosystem Valuation
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
CapstoneĀ
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Economic Analysis of the Environment
Local Economic Development Strategies
Foundation of Development Economics
Ecosystem Valuation
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EnviEd)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials Development for Sustainable Development
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Sustainable Development
Environmental Education for School and Community
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
CapstoneĀ
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials Development for Sustainable Development
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Sustainable Development
Environmental Education for School and Community
Educational Management for Sustainable Development
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of the Study here.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (EnviEngāg)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Impact Environmental Assessment for SD
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Wastewater Engineering
Water Quality Management
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
CapstoneĀ
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Wastewater Engineering
Water Quality Management
Air and Noise Pollution Control Engineering
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
MAJOR IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (ResMgt)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Land Resources Management
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Water Resources Management
Energy Resources Management
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
Capstone
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Health and Environmental Toxicology
Land Resources Management
Water Resources Management
Energy Resources Management
Mineral Resources Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
MAJOR IN RURAL AND URBAN PLANNING (RUP)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Planning and the Development Process
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Planning Laws, Legislation and Practice
Strategies in Rural and Urban Planning
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
Capstone
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Planning and the Development Process
Planning Laws, Legislation and Practice
Planning Strategies and Technique
Planning Systems and Management for Sustainability
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MSDS)
PEACE AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION (PCT) TRACK
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Resource Management and Accounting
Geographical Information System (GIS) for Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Sustainable Development
First Year, Second Semester
Policy and Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Peace Education
Cognate
First Year, Summer
Culture and Peace
Peace Process in Minadanao
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
CapstoneĀ
Note: With Comprehensive Exam
Major Subjects
Peace Education
Conflict Analysis
Culture and Peace
Peace Processes in Mindanao
Dealing with the Past
Peacebuilding and Policy Making
Community-based Peacebuilding
Political Economy of Conflict and Peace
Special Topics
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.