Changing Communities, Changing Lives
Do You Want to Make a Difference?
The quality of life in communities around the world depends on well-trained, highly educated leaders and professionals who understand the theory and practice of community and economic development.
If you are interested in working with communities, community organizations, or economic development groups on local, regional, or national levels, this interdisciplinary program is for you.
Penn State Can Help
Penn State's master of professional studies in community and economic development can prepare you for a career as a community development professional. The community and economic development program balances theory and its practical application to real-life opportunities and challenges faced by communities around the globe today.
You will learn effective methods for assessing communities and regions, identifying their needs, and maximizing opportunities to work with them to improve well-being and sustainability. Your studies will immediately apply to your job, elected office, or volunteer activity, making the communities you care about stronger, more sustainable, and better places to live, work, and play.
Gaining Expertise and Proficiency
The program enables practitioners to more effectively implement community and economic development through building knowledge and skills to assist regions, communities, and community organizations with:
- making effective and informed decisions
- retaining jobs, creating and expanding opportunities for new jobs and entrepreneurship
- encouraging citizen participation and involvement
- understanding community institutions and processes that affect development and well-being
- including diverse public, private, and nonprofit interests in local and regional decision making and capacity building
- implementing land-use decisions and sustainable development
- understanding the causes and consequences of economic, social, and population change
- using research and information to understand and shape economic and social change in communities and regions
- adapting programs and practices to fit local situations and needs
Choose the Program That Suits Your Needs
Penn State offers two online programs in community and economic development for professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and skills, and for those interested in a new career in community and economic development:
- The master of professional studies in community and economic development explores theoretical concepts and their practical application in the real world. This program is targeted to those who work with and/or volunteer in neighborhoods, towns, small cities, and rural regions. View the program curriculum.
- The postbaccalaureate certificate in community and economic development introduces key concepts and practical strategies useful to those who are new to the field and those who have experience working with communities or development-related institutions. The 15 credits in the certificate program can be applied to the master of professional studies in community and economic development.
A Degree of Distinction
Since its founding in 1855, Penn State has established itself as one of the nation's most respected universities. Penn State is a pioneer in distance education, with a support system designed specifically for students who are not located on physical campuses.
The master of professional studies and the postbaccalaureate certificate are part of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Colleges of agriculture have been leaders in serving the economic and community development needs of rural communities and regions for more than 100 years. Through its Cooperative Extension services and Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Penn State contributes to theory development, research, and practice of community and economic development.
From Your Desktop to the World
Become part of a superior academic community at Penn State, network with the professionals, and form lasting relationships with like-minded peers.
All courses are accessible from any Internet connection, and you can fit your studies around your busy personal and professional schedules. Learn at your own pace through interactive settings on the Web, focus on projects or issues that interest you, and gain experience through hands-on interaction.
Guided by faculty with years of experience in different aspects of community and economic development, you will have the opportunity to take elective courses in your interest areas and to participate in applied research with faculty. You can also gain valuable insight from a diverse peer group.
Find Out More and Apply
With a master of professional studies in community and economic development from Penn State, you can make the world a better place by helping to create thriving regions, communities, or community institutions. Be ready to take courses next semester by starting your application today, contacting a student adviser with your questions, e-mailing the graduate program at cedevinfo@psu.edu, or checking out our Web site at http://cedev.aers.psu.edu/ for details. Come and be part of our community and make your community better!
