Executive MBA (Development Management)
A one year full-time programme for working professionals
The full-time Executive MBA (Development Management) is an intensive one-year MBA for professionals with more than two years of work experience in any sector. It is designed to develop management professionals and future leaders for the social sector.
The programme aims to enhance core management competencies and provide a deep understanding of contemporary development challenges in rural and urban India. With this, we aspire to build a cadre of management professionals who can help strengthen the organisational capacities of the social sector organisations.
Note: Tuition fee waiver of 50 percent is available for candidates with experience in grassroots organisations/NGOs or philanthropies, subject to certain conditions.
Who should join us?
The programme is intended for early to mid-career professionals endeavouring to chart an accelerated growth path in the social sector. We welcome professionals working in social sector organisations as well as those in the corporate sector, looking for a meaningful transition to the social sector.
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those working in NGOs, social enterprises, consulting organisations, the corporate sector, corporate social responsibility, public administration, and community-based initiatives.
Applicants should possess good analytical skills and have a passion to make a significant difference to the society.
Why study with us?
Students will acquire a deep understanding of development and the requisite management skills, to make a definitive impact in the social sector and a transformative change in their careers. At Azim Premji University, you will receive
- A blend of management and development perspectives, where you will learn financial management, people management, organisation design and marketing, integrated with development perspectives and approaches.
- Hands-on learning experiences that will include extensive fieldwork, case studies, and sector collaborations ensuring practical exposure to real-world development and organisational challenges.
- A focussed exposure to social sensibilities built on the principles of equity, dignity, justice and sustainability, shaping professionals who drive social change.
So, join this programme and actively contribute to strengthening social sector organisations for the future!
Programme Structure
The programme is designed to inculcate an interdisciplinary orientation drawing from development literature and management sciences. It focusses on building the analytical, domain-related and managerial competencies to strengthen social sector organisations.
The one-year programme will be divided into four terms, three of which will be classroom-based, and one will be field-based. These terms are organised to enable progressive learning for the participants. Field-based learning will be interspersed between the classroom terms.
The core courses, spread over multiple terms, will equip students with a robust understanding of development issues and challenges as well as competencies to manage social sector organisations. The curriculum is built around the following:
- Development perspectives and approaches
- Management principles, frameworks, and tools
- General competencies
Approaches to Development Interventions and Action
Core
Critically examine different models of development interventions and design interventions to address specific development problems
Data Analysis and Visualisation
Core
Focuses on building the competency of quantitative analysis
Development Challenges in the Indian Context
Core
Appreciate India's developmental trajectory and its contemporary developmental challenges
Field Immersion: Learning and Reflection
Core
Reflect on development contexts (in terms of lived realities of communities and local institutions) where social sector organisations operate
Field Internship
Core
Implement an end-to-end project within a specific management function in a social sector organisation
Fundamentals of Financial Management
Core
Plan, organise and monitor the financial resources of an organisation to achieve its objectives
Marketing Principles for the Social Sector
Core
Understanding marketing principles
Monitoring and Evaluation
Core
Measure impact of an organisation’s intervention in a multi-stakeholder environment
Organisation Structure and Design in the Social Sector
Core
Analyse elements of organisation design and how these elements enable the organisation to achieve its objectives
People Management in Social Sector Organisations
Core
Create work environments where people feel supported and teams work well together
Project Planning and Implementation
Core
Manage the execution of project tasks efficiently, while achieving the project goals effectively
Stakeholders and Relationship Management
Core
Engage with and manage relationships with stakeholders to achieve organisational goals
Storytelling through Data
Core
Create a persuasive story using data to inform organisational decisions
Understanding Data for Organisational Decisions
Core
Identify and assess the most appropriate data to inform organisational decisions
Understanding State Institutions and Governance
Core
Manage organisations to align with public policy goals, strengthen collaboration with state institutions and contribute effectively to development
While the core courses cover foundational aspects of management, students will also get to explore some of their areas of interest beyond what the core courses offer. A few such courses will be offered as electives in the fourth term. The participants can choose three electives of two credits each from a basket of courses. An indicative list of electives is given below.
- Technology for Development
- Contemporary Development Debates
- Organisational Strategy in Complex Environments
- Marketing for Social Sector Organisations
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Economics of Sustainability
- Advanced Financial Management
The programme ensures that learning is embedded in real-world contexts – both communities and organisations. While the core and elective courses will help build the perspectives, competencies and intellectual curiosity of the students, field engagement is crucial for developing sensitivity and empathy, while also honing skills in managing organisations. This experiential learning is facilitated through two components:
- A two-week long field immersion
- An eight-week long internship in a social sector organisation
Classroom Practices
The classroom practices in our programme are designed to ensure an inclusive and immersive learning experience, blending theory with hands-on practice. The programme uses a diverse mix of lectures, group discussions, peer learning, audio-visual materials, and case studies to make complex concepts accessible to students from a wide range of academic and socio-economic backgrounds and work experience.
Group work is a key aspect of the programme, emphasising the importance of collective learning and collaboration. Field experience is integrated into the programme structure, offering students opportunities for immersive, real-world experiences, thus helping students apply classroom learning to address fundamental organisational issues in social sector organisations.
Many courses feature guest lectures from sector experts and practitioners who bring contemporary, real-world insights into the classroom. Our faculty members are highly accessible, offering additional support during office hours.
Career Opportunities
The programme will prepare students to be future leaders of social sector organisations, responsible to all stakeholders in the society. Some opportunities for transformative career shifts and possible career trajectories include:
- Leading the implementation of large programmes in social sector organisations
- Facilitating organisational growth through people management and fundraising
- Playing a leadership role in the rapid growth environment of social enterprises, large cooperatives and farmer producer companies
- Managing programme grants at donor foundations, philanthropies and CSR teams
The University has a strong track record in placements and 100+ organisations recruit our students every year, including leading national and international non-profits, CSR foundations, development consultancies, and impact-driven enterprises.
A dedicated Placement Cell provides comprehensive support, training, and career guidance, helping students navigate their professional journeys with confidence. Additionally, the Social Enterprise Cell supports those interested in launching their own impact-driven ventures.