The College of Public of Community Service at UMass Boston was approved, by the Board of Higher Education, to launch a new undergraduate major in Community Development. Employees of Community Development Corporations, desiring to complete a baccalaureate degree may select the major immediately and may begin studies in the fall 2014 semester. First-time college attendees and individuals transferring credits from an accredited institution of higher education are encouraged to apply.
Students in the major will take core community development courses and choose a concentration in either community health or economic development. The College of Public and Community Services anticipates adding more concentrations as the program develops. The Bachelor of Arts degree combines theory and history of community development; technical skills in research and community analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS); skills in leadership and organizing; and community development principles and practices.
Graduates of the program will find employment in various fields, in the public and private sector, and in such jobs as a Community Organizer, Health Education or Economic Development Specialist.
“It was important to create a major to meet the community development demands of the 21st century that prepares students to promote and facilitate comprehensive development and community empowerment,” said Anna Madison, Dean of the College of Public and Community Service.
To see the required courses or download a fact sheet about the program, visit the CPCS website: www.cpcs.umb.edu
To apply, visit www.umb.edu/admissions. For further questions, email communitydevelopment@umb.edu or call 617.287.7175.
The College of Public and Community Service is located in the Wheatley Building on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA. The college forges partnerships with public agencies, community organizations, and labor organizations to build healthy, safe, sustainable communities.
