Graduates in this option pursue careers in community development, government and non-government organizations, non-formal education organizations, leadership development and civic engagement within communities, international programs, and volunteer program management.
Option Details
Expertise in community leadership development, civic engagement, volunteerism, youth/intergenerational engagement, and local capacity building are increasing in demand by students, organizations, and practitioners. This demand cuts across campus where students from all colleges take our courses.
At the graduate level, we currently offer seven leadership and community development courses and two upper-level undergraduate courses that are offered with additional work to interested graduate students (Leadership Development 505; Foundations of Leadership Development 460; Leadership: Power, Practice and Application 465). All of these are offered at full enrollment every Fall and Spring semesters.
Additional courses related to leadership and community development are always under development, as are linkages/cross listings with existing leadership and community development courses with the CEDEV program. A wide range of Leadership and Community Development elective courses are regularly available through the College and University.
Degree Options
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Students in Education, Development and Community Engagement will demonstrate competency and breadth of knowledge in their chosen specialization in the areas of Program Development and Evaluation, Leadership and Community Development, Educational Processes, Research Methods, Data Analysis and Statistics. They will create new knowledge by conducting and reporting relevant research within their sub-disciplines. Students will be able to communicate with diverse audiences regarding issues related to Program Development and Evaluation, Leadership and Community Development, Educational Processes. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills so that they can apply their knowledge to address relevant community and societal problems. They will become practiced in applying the principles of academic integrity and proper research methodology and reporting.
Course Work
This option requires 18-24 credits, chosen from the following:
- EDCE 505 Leadership Development
- EDCE 535 Youth Civic Development
- EDCE 440 Communication Methods and Media
- EDCE 460 Foundations in Leadership Development
- EDCE 465 Leadership Practices: Power, Influences, and Impact
- EDCE 508 Administration and Supervision of EDCE
- EDCE 511 Youth Leadership Development in EDCE
- CED 445 International Development Practice
- CED 417 Power, Conflict and Community Decision-Making
- CEDEV 505 Leadership Development
- CEDEV 575 Methods and Techniques for Community and Economic Development
- CEDEV 452 Community Structure, Processes and Capacity
Professional Associations
To establish themselves as independent scholars, all graduate students are expected to become a member of at least one professional association linked to their professional and research interests. The following are the primary associations for this area of specialization:
National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals
