Applied Science — Community Development

The field of community development encourages people to think globally and consider the big picture from a systems perspective in order to address challenges and find solutions.

• Community developers work toward positive social, economic, cultural and environmental change by engaging citizens in the decision making process.
• Explores a wide range of community development perspectives and equips you with the tools and educational experiences to contribute to positive changes in communities and regions.
• Curriculum is designed for you with the goal of best fitting your educational objective(s). The advisor, you and supervisory committee jointly establish the curriculum.
• Courses in the program are designed to teach critical and creative thinking, ethical consideration, and the value of careful planning and involvement of all stakeholders.

This degree is not housed within an individual department (an interdisciplinary degree) but is administered by a faculty committee selected from many departments. Since this is a college-wide degree program, there is wide latitude in the selection of areas of study.

Program & Courses

Requires a total of 36 credit hours of graduate course work (with 12 credit hours open exclusively to graduate credit):

• At least 18 credit hours in an area of concentration (may be interdisciplinary), including a *degree project.
• At least 9 credit hours must be completed in a secondary area of emphasis for breadth to maximize flexibility, there are no core courses required.
• A 3 to 6 credit hour *degree project is required.
• A comprehensive examination, either written and/or oral; the successful completion of the *degree project, including examination by the Examining and Advisory Committee, may serve in lieu of a written comprehensive examination.
• The final examination over the *degree project and program of study is oral.
• Where appropriate, a professional competency or certification exam may be required as part of the final examination.
• Not less than 50% of the course work, excluding *degree project, of the minimum number of graduate credits required must be University of Nebraska–Lincoln credit.

*The Degree Project

A unique aspect of this master's program which replaces the traditional master's thesis.

The degree project is intended for you to gain immediate value to apply to your workplace or for career advancement.

Transfer Credits

Each degree program within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is responsible for evaluating transfer credit and determining how the credit will apply to your specific degree program.

The evaluation of transfer credit is based on a review of the comparability of the nature, content and level of the learning experience and its appropriateness to the degree program.

If you're interested in transferring credit, you will need to consult with the UNL academic department associated with your major.

Audience

• Professionals with backgrounds in community and regional planning, sociology, economics, political science, and geography
• Employees working in local planning departments, community economic development organizations, housing agencies, parks & recreation offices, tribal programs, and non-profit organizations focusing on community enhancement
• Cooperative extension service professionals

Application for Graduate Admission$50 non-refundable application processing feeOne set of transcripts, uploaded to MyRED (seeupload requirements)If your native language is not English: verification of English proficiencyIf you are not a US citizen and you expect to hold an F or J visa: financial resource information English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79 Technological Requirements PC Processor: Core 2 Duo or Equivalent or better Operating System: Windows XP (Home/Professional) or higher Web Conferencing: Web Camera/ Sound Card & Speakers/ Microphone or Headset with Microphone Internet Connection: High-speed DSL or Cable Modem Browser: Windows IE 7.0 or higher/ Firefox 3.0 or higher Anti-Virus: Current & Updated Anti-virus Software : Microsoft Office 2007 or higher Plug-Ins (download) : Java/ Windows Media Player/Acrobat Reader/Flash/Shockwave/Powerpoint Viewer MAC Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or better Operating System: OS 10 X Snow Leopard Web Conferencing: Web Camera/ Sound Card & Speakers/ Microphone or Headset with Microphone Internet Connection: High-speed DSL or Cable Modem Browser: Windows IE 7.0 or higher/ Firefox 3.0 or higher/ Safari 3.0 or higher Anti-Virus: Current & Updated Anti-virus Software : Microsoft Office 2007 or higher Plug-Ins (download) : Quicktime

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides information on loans and need-based funds.

Accreditation

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of six regional accrediting agencies. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been continuously accredited since 1913. The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for coordinating University efforts to prepare for the accrediting agency’s periodic site visits and reviews. The university last underwent a comprehensive self-study and site visit during the 2006-07 academic year. The next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2016-17.

UNL’s Statement of Affiliation Status (confirmation of accreditation) can be accessed on the Higher Learning Commission’s website.