Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development (MPS CEDEV)
The Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development (MPS CEDEV) is a 30-credit terminal master's degree program that emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to community and economic development. The program balances theory and practice. Courses taught in MPS CEDEV use a blend of Web technology, print, and other media to provide an effective balance of flexibility and interaction. Individuals who currently work with, or are interested in working with communities, community organizations and stakeholders, or on a range of community and economic development issues at the state or national levels would benefit from this program. The MPS CEDEV program requires the completion of seven core courses (21 credits) in which students learn and apply sociological and economic concepts to issues in community and economic development. The courses offer examples and opportunities to apply these concepts to real issues facing communities and rural regions. Two of the core courses (6 credits) emphasize statistical methods and tools and techniques useful to practitioners in community and economic development. Students then can take from 3 to 6 credits of elective coursework to focus on their particular interests within community and economic development, or to work toward additional certifications. All students are required to complete a project, paper or internship (3 to 6 credits) that integrates theory and practice.
Instruction in the MPS CEDEV program emphasizes key themes that include economic planning and development; municipal finance, land use and population change; community structure, organization and process; leadership; tools and techniques in community development; community decision-making and capacity building. Students also may complete 12 credits in the core and a professional paper and earn a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Community and Economic Development.
Degree Requirements
The professional Master's degree requires 30 credits including a final integrative assessment/experience. All students complete the required MPS CEDEV core program of community and economic development courses, statistics, and methods. The MPS CEDEV courses consist of CEDEV 430, CEDEV 452, CEDEV 500, CEDEV 505, and CEDEV 509. The statistics, methods, and techniques requirement includes STAT 500 (or the equivalent) and CEDEV 575. CEDEV 576 is an optional summer institute focusing on applications and practices for community and economic development. An integrative paper, project, or internship is required where the student demonstrates the capability to integrate and apply concepts, principles, analytical techniques and interpretation skills learned in the program to a real problem faced by a community or community organization. Choice of electives will be based on a plan of study worked out between the student and faculty adviser. There is no foreign language requirement for the degree, however, students planning to work in multi-cultural or international settings are encouraged to gain competency in an appropriate language(s). A total of 18 credits must be 500 level or higher, with at least 6 credits of 500-level course work. This Graduate School requirement is met through the required courses and the project, internship or paper credits.
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
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DATE LAST REVIEWED BY PUBLICATIONS: 02/01/07
Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2007
Blue Sheet Item #: 35-06-538
Review Date: 4/10/07