Community Development

Master of Applied Science ONLINE AND DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIZATION

Community development mosaic
GP IDEA Program

The online Community Development Specialization, a part of the Master of Applied Science (MAS) program, equips students with the tools and experiences to contribute to positive changes in communities and regions. The coursework is designed to teach critical and creative thinking, ethical consideration and the value of careful planning for all stakeholders. The Community Development Specialization in the MAS is a flexible and personalized practitioner degree program that provides students with opportunities to:

  • Engage citizens in the decision-making process
  • Think globally and consider the big picture from a systems perspective to address challenges and find solutions within changing communities.
  • Gain diverse perspectives on the field through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GP IDEA) -- you enroll in courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln though some courses may be taught by other Great Plains IDEA member institutions.

Note: The degree is from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (even though courses may be from GP IDEA).

Career Outlook

A master’s degree or graduate certificate in community development is ideal for current and aspiring professionals in areas such as:

  • Community and regional planning
  • Economic development and entrepreneurship
  • Community health and wellness
  • Anti-poverty programs
  • Cooperative Extension
  • Housing and infrastructure
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Parks and recreation
  • Natural resource management
  • Public administration
  • Applied Sociology
  • Tribal, immigrant, refugee, and youth programs

Why choose the MAS program?

The program offers:

  • A professional degree in agricultural science, community development and natural resources at the master’s level
  • Flexibility that allows you to design an area of study that addresses your educational goals
  • Online courses allowing you to earn the degree remotely

As a college-wide degree program, there is flexibility in the selection of course work to create a personalized program built around the specialization. You will work with an advisor and examining committee to customize a program of study best fitting your educational objective(s). The degree project is intended for you to gain immediate value to apply to your workplace or for career advancement

Degree requirements include 36 credit hours of course work. This can be accomplished through Option III (no minor).

Options

Option III
  • Minimum 36 cr.
  • No thesis required.
  • No minor available.
  • At least 18 of the 36 cr must be in graduate-only courses.

Courses

Click link to view GP IDEA course list.

GP IDEA Program Great Plains IDEA, a national consortium of universities that offer programs and courses in agriculture disciplines.

Tuition and Fees How to Apply Contact Us

Clicking "How to Apply" takes you to the Graduate Studies website for additional program and application information.

Graduates may find careers in a multitude of areas, including:

  • Community, regional and local planning departments
  • Economic development organizations
  • Community health and wellness
  • Cooperative extension services
  • Housing and infrastructure agencies
  • Natural resource management
  • Parks & Recreation Offices
  • Tribal Programs
  • Non-profit organizations focused on community enhancement

This program lets you learn from peers across the country and world. Each student brings a unique perspective to community development based on their experiences...I would highly recommend this program because it works well with busy full-time schedules and you get to learn from peers and experts across the country. The program covers the basics of community development along with how different elements build on and interact with one another. It allows you to explore different topics pertaining to your specific interests.

Taylor Hart, student

Service you expect from a leading University

  • Access the same student services available to on-campus students
  • An academic adviser will guide you along your journey
  • Career services are available when you are ready to take your next step

Flexibility

  • Combine a number of disciplines to create a unique degree
  • Choose more than 50% of the courses you take as electives
  • Complete coursework during the time of day that works best for you within a select timeframe

Quality learning experience

  • The University of Nebraska has offered distance education courses for more than 100 years
  • Interact with faculty and students through e-mail, discussion forums and chat groups
  • Direct access to world-class faculty – researchers who are experts in their fields or practitioners with real-world experience

To be accepted to this program

  1. A bachelor's degree
  2. 3.00 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
  3. Taken the TOEFL or IELTS
    (Only required if English is not your native language)
  4. A written personal statement
  5. 3 letters of recommendation
  6. Official/Unofficial transcripts from all previous schools
NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

Application Deadlines

Rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.

Dan Cotton

Questions? Please Contact

Dan Cotton

Director of Integrated Technologies / Coordinator of Extended Education

Dan Cotton served as the first executive director of eXtension prior to returning to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to serve in his current role. His national experience with eXtension serves him in leading online education ventures at UNL.

Contact

Online and Distance Education Contact Form - Graduate

Start Preparing for Your Future

Provide your information and we’ll send you what you need to know about earning a graduate degree or certificate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

I am interested in the following graduate program: