Community and Economic Development

Post-Baccalaureate Credit Certificate Program

The Post-baccalaureate credit certificate program in Community and Economic Development prepares student to confront the multidimensional challenges faced by community development practitioners. The main objective of the certificate program is to educate professionals who will assume leadership roles in helping establish and maintain viable communities. Graduates will become deeply involved in assisting localities with a variety of issues, including: developing new organizations and new industries; growth management; protecting the environment; revitalizing downtown areas; enhancing the local quality of life; assisting educational, social, health and human service systems; and developing vital infrastructure--in short, working with communities to help them shape their own futures.

The program will teach the theory, skills and tools that allow practitioners to address the important issues in community and economic development. The program will emphasize topical problems, drawing from the experiences of both students and the faculty. The certificate program is a Penn State World Campus educational counterpart to the strong research and extension programs in rural revitalization, community and economic development of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Sciences.

Students in Community and Economic Development gain a broad understanding of the dynamics of communities and their social, economic and political systems. With this training, graduates will have a wide range of career opportunities in an expanding job market. Some work for local or regional governments, industrial development authorities and chambers of commerce, major corporations, non-governmental organizations, or consulting firms. Others may work for development authorities, housing authorities, planning commissions or environmental planning and development agencies.

While the degree emphasizes applied learning and practical experience, the 15 credits earned toward the certificate apply to the Master’s Degree in Community and Economic Development.

Program Requirements

The Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Community and Economic Development (CEDEV Certificate) requires 15 credits, consisting of five 3-credit courses. The CEDEV Post-baccalaureate Certificate is designed to build a basic level of knowledge and skills required for practitioners to address the important issues in community and economic development. Admission to the program requires applicants to provide evidence of completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

The certificate program is designed primarily for professionals in the field who wish to expand their existing knowledge and for those who wish to learn about community and economic development, including those working in or interested in dealing with the variety of development issues in America's towns, boroughs, small cities and rural areas. Courses will be delivered via the Internet/WWW. Some materials will be available through print media and CD-ROM.

The five required courses introduce students to the field and cover the topics of Principles of Community and Economic Development and Leadership, Rural Organization, Economic Development Planning, Population, Land Use and Municipal Finance, and Methods and Techniques of Community and Economic Development. Courses in the certificate program are required courses in the Masters program in Community and Economic Development and can be transferred into the Master’s program for qualified applicants.

COURSES

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CEDEV)
430. Principles of Economic Development Planning (3)
452. Rural Organization (3)
500. Principles of Community and Economic Development and Leadership (3)
509. Population, Land Use and Municipal Finance (3)
575. Methold and Techniques for Community and Economic Development (3)

Program is jointly offered by Penn State's World Campus and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Science.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CEDEV) course list

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.

Last Revised by the Department: Fall Semester 2006

Blue Sheet Item #: 34-07-543; Review Date: 6/13/06

Revised: 3/6/07