MSc Land Governance and Policy

Aim of the Programme

The programme aims at producing students who are highly skilled in applying interdisciplinary approaches to land governance and policy formulation in the context of sustainable development in Ghana and Africa in general. Students will be provided with knowledge and tools required for all areas of land management, tenure security consideration, land administration and land policy. The programme combines theory with practical case studies and field trips.

 

Objectives of the Programme

The objective is to provide students with knowledge and competence in dealing with land governance matters. Students will be exposed to strong theoretical basis which informs effective land governance practices. At the end of the programme, participants will have acquired both theoretical and practical skills in the following critical areas;

• Improved abilities in employing contemporary theories and technologies in analysing land–related problems in order to devise contextual and sensitive policies to address land related challenges facing both urban and rural land use.
• Deepened the understanding of students in underpinning concepts, principles and theories for land policy and governance whiles equipping them with the skills needed to prepare and evaluate land policies at local, national and international level.
• Better appreciation existing institutional and legal arrangements as well as needed reforms which are essential for improved land governance
• Thoroughly appreciate the drivers of land related conflicts, implications of such conflicts and approaches of dispute resolution, within emphasis on alternative dispute resolution strategies 
• Improvement in student’s awareness on critical land related debates and paradigms and equip then to appreciate and contribute effectively to such discourse by drawing from experiences and emerging developments from the national and regional perspectives.
• Gain an appreciation of the dynamics entailed in contemporary land related issues such as gender equality, social inclusion and youth access to land.

 

Entry Requirements

The MSc. Land Governance and Policy degree programme is a professionally oriented international qualification open to land administrators and related fields (Land Economists, Estate Managers, Planners, Land Surveyors, Geomatic Engineers, Construction Technologists and Mangers, Land Use and Spatial Planners and other Social Scientists) from Ghana and the sub-region who want to develop or enhance their career in Land Governance. The requirement for enrolment is as follows:

• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (with a minimum of 2nd Class Lower Division) in Land Economy, Real Estate, Planning, Law, Geomatic/Geodetic Engineering, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Construction Technology Management and other related degree from institutions of recognised standing.
• Candidates with a minimum of two years relevant industrial or research experience are preferable.
• All candidates must attend an interview session and pass the interview before admission.

 

Requirements for Progression and Graduation

• To qualify for the award of MSc degree in Land Governance and Policy, like most graduate programmes, students will be required to pass all courses and complete a total of at least 30 credit hours;
• Students will also be required to take 11 compulsory modules and any optional module relevant to the award which is offered in the University. The 11 compulsory modules are structured such that, 6 taught modules are taken in the first semester and 5 in the second semester of the academic year of study;
• The last four (4) months of the programme (from June – September) shall be devoted to students’ Research Dissertation and seminar presentation on progress of work;
• Students shall be required to obtain a minimum Cumulated Weighted Average (CWA) of 55%, for a PASS to graduate.

 

Employment

Graduates from the programme, upon completion, are expected to occupy various positions in both private and public sector organisations in land and natural resources industry. Students are expected to be attracted from public land sector agencies and will return to assume additional responsibilities at their respective work places. International Development Organisations such as the World Bank, IMF, FAO and IFAD are increasingly in search of people with the expertise this programme seeks to equip students with. Therefore, our products will have a competitive edge in the job market. Our students can also build their careers with banks and financial institutions in areas such as environmental governance and sustainability, corporate social responsibility, community engagement specialists. Our products can also have careers as academics, especially in the area of teaching Development Studies and Development Management rated programmes across Tertiary Institutions. Some may also establish their own consultancy firms and NGOs or work with renowned ones which are involved in these development issues.

 

Programme Outline

Semester One

Course Code	Course Title	T*	P*	C*
LGP 551	Land Tenure and Society	2	2	3
LGP 553	Land Management, Reforms and Policies	4	4	6
LGP 555	Institutional Framework for Land Management and Dispute Resolution	3	4	5
LGP 557	Land Use Planning and Administration	2	2	3
LGP 559	Natural Resource Management	2	2	3
LGP 561	Entrepreneurial Management (Optional)	2	0	2
	Total	13	14	20

 

Semester Two

Course Code	Course Title	T*	P*	C*
LGP 552	Land Information Systems	2	4	4
LGP 554	Urban and Rural Land Economics	4	0	4
LGP 556	Management and Organizational Behavior	3	0	3
LGP 558	Taxation and Land Management	3	2	4
LGP 560	Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis	4	0	4
	Total	16	6	19

 

Semester Three

Course Code	Course Title	T*	P*	C*
LGP 651	Seminar Presentations	0	6	3
LGP 652	Dissertation	0	12	6
	Total	0	16	9

 

Legend

T* = Theory/Taught     P* = Presentation/Tutorials   C* = Credits