Community Resources and Development (Sustainable Communities), MS
Environment, Innovation, Social Enterprise, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Urbanism, Volunteerism, government, sociology
Are you a natural leader with a drive to create vibrant, sustainable communities? Use your passion to strike a delicate balance between increasing quality of life and protecting natural resources, without compromising community development. Your work will inspire innovation across neighborhoods and cities alike.
The Master of Science program in community resources and development with a concentration in sustainable communities is a two year program where students enhance their leadership abilities while learning to foster thriving communities through strategic problem-solving. The research-oriented curriculum explores critical topics in tourism, parks and recreation management, and nonprofit organizations, all through the lens of sustainability. Students work closely with faculty mentors who guide them in analyzing and addressing complex community challenges, considering all relevant regulatory and policy factors.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (CRD 593)
Required Core (15 credit hours)
CRD 500 Research Methods (3)
CRD 502 Statistical and Data Analysis (3)
CRD 530 Community Services Management (3) or advanced inquiry course (3)
CRD 552 Critical Issues (3)
CRD 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development (3)
Concentration (6 credit hours)
CRD 610 Sustainable Communities (3)
NLM 562 Social Entrepreneurship (3) or
NLM 572 Community and Social Innovations (3)
Electives (3 or 9 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
CRD 593 Applied Project (6) or
CRD 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students may select a thesis or applied project. Advising and direction for both options are under the direct supervision of an assigned faculty member.
The thesis option is a research-oriented program and is recommended for students planning to continue graduate studies beyond the master's degree. Students in the thesis option take an advanced inquiry course, and they take three credit hours of elective coursework. The thesis option must be defended in an oral examination before a supervisory committee of at least three faculty members, one of whom resides in another department.
The applied project is intended for students seeking additional knowledge and expertise relevant to professional career development. Students in the applied project option take CRD 530 as part of their core coursework and take nine credit hours of electives.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of professional and academic goals
- three letters of recommendation
- current resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Only complete application files are reviewed or considered for admission. Applicants without undergraduate academic work in related disciplines are required to take six credit hours of coursework in addition to the master's degree requirements. The additional assigned coursework may be taken in conjunction with master's degree classes.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Analyze critical topics and issues pertinent to sustainable communities, such as creative problem-solving, strategic planning and volunteer management.
- Relate their individual strengths to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and data analysis within the context of sustainable communities.
- Apply the principles and practices of community development to address the social, economic, environmental and cultural challenges of diverse communities.
This degree program prepares graduates for careers in governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and private-sector businesses. Career opportunities include these positions:
- community services officer
- nonprofit and nongovernmental organization officer
- parks and recreation officer
- tourism officer
School of Community Resources and Development
|
UCENT 550
scrd@asu.edu
602-496-0550
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
