Graduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.07.02

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

[1] Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Science program in Community and Economic Development (CED) is to prepare individuals to provide expertise to communities in the process of development. A CED graduate will be qualified to provide professional services to communities with a wide range of development needs. The graduate will be prepared to act as a catalyst for change in a community development process that is inclusive and non-discriminatory. As an agent of change, the community developer will act to achieve the will of the residents of any community in need of professional assistance. Excellence in the decision-making process and effective communication skills are hallmarks of the program. Fostering a spirit of significant expectation and achievement among students and faculty is important as we strive to become a community of learners for continued professional participation and development.

In short, the program will provide the participant with the requisite skills in leadership, management, and administration to assist communities in the achievement of their development goals.

[2] Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the MS program in Community and Economic Development will be based on a compilation of indices for potential success. In addition to the general application, GPA, and GRE requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must submit two letters of support.

[3] Program Requirements

The MS program in Community and Economic Development requires 36 credit hours, including a 27-credit hour core and a 9-credit hour area of special emphasis track. Students who are already employed with an organization in a development field will be required to submit a detailed paper describing how that organization is involved in community and economic development and what role the student plays in that enterprise. Although most students in the program will be part-time, it is possible for a student to take nine hours per semester and complete the program in two years.

[3.1] Core Courses (27 SCH)

CED 6310 Community and Economic Development Seminar
CED 6311 Leadership and Decision-Making
CED 6315 Applied Research Methods and Data Analysis

CED 6325 Introduction to Community and Economic Development
CED 6330 Community Development Policy Analysis
CED 6340 Economic and Industrial Development
CED 6350 Financing Community and Economic Development
CED 6360 Cultural Differentiation and Outreach
CED 6370 Community and Economic Development Internship

[3.2] Electives (9 SCH)

To be taken in one of three areas of emphasis:

[3.2.1] Community Development

CED 6101 Community and Economic Development Institute I

CED 6102 Community and Economic Development Institute II

CED 6103 Community and Economic Development Institute III

CED 6301 Project Management
CED 6313 Transportation and Infrastructure
CED 6318 Budgeting
CED 6335 Grant Writing

[3.2.2] Planning, Land-Use, and GIS

GEOG 4345 Digital Image Processing for GIS

GEOG 5310 Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 5315 Mapping Fundamentals for GIS

GEOG 5320 Technical Issues in Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 5333 GIS for Planning and Public Administration
GEOG 6328 Spatial Analysis and Modeling

CED 6320 Holistic Planning and the Community

[3.2.3] Criminal Justice

CJIN 5300 Criminal Justice Management I
CJIN 5301 Criminal Justice Management II
SOC 5310 Criminology/Victimology

[4] Graduate Courses in Community and Economic Development (CED)

Follow this link to CED course descriptions: course link.

Comments or questions about the Graduate Bulletin? E-mail