Master in Community Development MA (Online)

Master in Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.)

Image of group of students, macdpp, policy and practice, community development

The Master's in Community Development (MCD) program is completely online with some synchronous components. This program allows students to bridge theory and practice to drive real change in the community. Acquire universal skills for sustainable transformation, while engaging in a cooperative online learning that fosters camaraderie among peers and instructors. Your future in community development starts here. About the Program

 

Credit Hours: 36   |    Program Length: 14 Months   |  Tuition Cost

Application Deadlines: Dec. 15 (Spring term) & August 1 (Fall term)

Contact

Request Information

We use text messages to communicate important event and application information (msg and data rates may apply).



Image of Student at Street Farmer's Market, community development, masters degree, capstone

MCD Capstone Projects

Image of graduates, huddleston hall, carsey school, community development policy and practice

Funding Your Education

Explore Program Details

Application
»What do you look for in an applicant?

The Master of Community Development looks for applicants who have the proven academic ability to complete a rigorous course of study and ideally one or more years of relevant experience. We evaluate all candidates based on the following criteria: the personal statement, résumé/curriculum vitae, transcripts of prior college and/or graduate schoolwork, and letters of recommendation.

The personal statement is the single most important part of the application. In it you should clearly demonstrate your interest in the program and how it fits into your specific career goals. It should be a clear, concise statement of your relevant past experiences, including academics, research, and/or work experience. The statement should also include an expression of interests and an explanation of your goals in pursuing a master’s degree.

»Do you accept applicants directly from undergraduate school? 

Individuals with very strong academic records who have also had significant internship and/or study abroad experience may be accepted.

Tuition and Payment
»I have a sponsor who will be covering the tuition of my program. How should they make payments? 

Please view tuition costs on our Funding Your Education webpage. Students receiving sponsorship by government agencies, companies, or other third parties should forward notices, bill authorizations, or other evidence of the sponsorships on official letterhead to: 

UNH Business Services 
Attention: Third-Party Billing 
11 Garrison Avenue 
Durham, NH 03824 

Full details and instructions can be found on the UNH Business Services Payment Methods webpage. Program costs and technology fees are subject to change. 

Course Fees: Specific courses may have additional course fees. Visit the course schedule for more information.

Financial Aid

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Additional Financial Aid Information

»Does this program offer any scholarships? 

The Carsey School of Public Policy offers a limited number of tuition scholarships to students who have submitted the online application. For consideration of a Carsey School Scholarship, please submit your Online Scholarship Application Form by March 15. Qualified applicants will be notified within three weeks of application completion. We encourage students to leverage their scholarship by seeking additional aid opportunities.

»What alternative funding opportunities are available? 

We strongly encourage you to look into other outside scholarship opportunities from organizations such as the World Bank, Fulbright, the Ford Foundation, or the American Association of University Women (among others).  Domestic students are eligible for both private and federal loans. More detailed information can be found on the UNH Grad School’s Financial Aid webpage.

»What if I am waiting to hear about an outside scholarship and can not submit all the requirements? 

If you are unable to submit all of the documentation necessary to hold your space in the class, please email Sanjeev Sharma promptly to provide details of your situation so that he can advise you on the best way to proceed.

Education Awards

The Carsey School is proud to partner with state and nationwide public service organizations to provide educational opportunities. These partners provide financial support to their employees, members, and alumni to pursue a master's degree at Carsey. Education awards allow students to further their education and expand their impact.Learn more about carsey education awards


$5,000 Available to Employees & Board Members of Inclusiv & Inclusiv Members
Eligible employees and board members of Inclusiv and Inclusiv members can receive a $5,000 Education Award to pursue a master’s degree from Carsey. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$5,000 Available to Graduates of The Washington Center
University of New Hampshire students who have successfully completed The Washington Center (TWC) program are eligible to receive a $5,000 education award towards their degree at Carsey (applicable to the MPA, MPP or MCD). TWC graduates in the MPP program can waive the internship requirement.
$5,000 Available to Active First Responders
Active first responder personnel, including sworn police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, qualify for this $5,000 education award towards their degree at Carsey. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$5,000 Available to Graduates of the CFSI Semester in the City
Students who have successfully completed the Semester in the City program through the College For Social Innovation are eligible to receive a $5,000 education award towards their degree at Carsey. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$7,000 available to City members and alumni
City Year corps members and alumni are eligible to receive up to $7,000 in tuition through Carsey's City Year Alumni University Partnership program. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
Up to 50% tuition match for AmeriCorps Alum
AmeriCorps Alumni are eligible to receive one full-time Segal AmeriCorps Education Award match – which when combined with the Segal Award can amount up to 50% in tuition to the Carsey School. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$2,500 Available to employees and board members of OFN and OFN Member CDFIs
Eligible employees and board members of OFN and OFN Member CDFIs may receive a $2,500 education award toward their Carsey degree. Apply toward the Master in Community Development program only.
Up to $2,500 available to employees and board members of NeighborWorks and NeighborWorks member organizations
Employees and board members of NeighborWorks® and NeighborWorks® member organizations may be eligible for up to $2,500, and students who have earned a NeighborWorks® Professional Certificate may be eligible to receive up to 6 graduate-level credits (2 courses), toward the MCD program only.
6 graduate-level credits (2 courses) waived for NDC Professional Certification holders
Students who have achieved a Professional Certification from the National Development Council can receive up to 6 graduate-level credits (2 courses) toward their degree when enrolled at Carsey. Apply toward the Master in Community Development program only.
Up to $5,000 (and $3,500 in tuition reimbursements per year) for LISC employees
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) employees may receive up to$5,000 in education awards, as well as a $3,500 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year from LISC while enrolled at Carsey. Apply toward the Master in Community Development program only.
$8,000 available for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who enroll via the Coverdell Fellows program are eligible to receive an $8,000 education award. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
Up to $5,000 Available to City of Concord Employees
City of Concord employees may be eligible for up to $5,000 in education awards in a matching scholarship available between the Carsey School and the City of Concord. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.

Electives are available in many substantive areas. Topics and courses are added on a continuing basis. In addition, independent studies with leading experts can be arranged to match specialized student interests.

Students may propose additional electives if those electives make sense in terms of the student’s interests and academic plan. Discussion with an academic advisor should inform this choice.


Elective Courses are offered in many Substantive Areas, including:
  • Balancing Resource Management, Land Use and Development
  • Community Development Finance
  • Community Medicine and Epidemiology
  • Current Issues in Microfinance and Microenterprise Development
  • Environmental Sciences and Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities and Development
  • Environmental Sustainability and Development
  • Financing Development
  • Global Health
  • Housing Development
  • Independent Study
  • Negotiation Strategies
  • Nuts and Bolts of Microfinance
  • Public Safety and Community Development
  • Sexuality and HIV/SIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Social Enterprise
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Sustainable Engineering for Development Practice
  • Workforce Development
Departments throughout UNH offer Elective Courses, including:
  • Analytics
  • Business Administration
  • Education
  • Health Policy and Management
  • History
  • Human Development and Family Studies
  • Natural Resources
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • UNH School of Law

MCD Faculty

  • Community and Economic Development Program Leader
    "I am inspired by selfless leadership by individuals who do not covet attention, but simply want to make positive change."       ~Charlie French
    Community and Economic Development Program Leader
    "I am inspired by selfless leadership by individuals who do not covet attention, but simply want to make positive change."       ~Charlie French
  • "Genuine, empathetic and passionate people inspire my work."       ~Jolan Rivera
    "Genuine, empathetic and passionate people inspire my work."       ~Jolan Rivera
  • Senior Research Fellow
    "I am lucky enough to work with inspirational leaders in community development every day."       ~Eric Hangen
    Senior Research Fellow
    "I am lucky enough to work with inspirational leaders in community development every day."       ~Eric Hangen
  • MCD Director Wins Lifetime Award
    "Over the whole of his career, Michael has been a critical influence on practitioners and students of community development. We honor his trailblazing accomplishments and his lasting legacy with this award."
    MCD Director Wins Lifetime Award
    "Over the whole of his career, Michael has been a critical influence on practitioners and students of community development. We honor his trailblazing accomplishments and his lasting legacy with this award."

Meet Our Students

  • With MCD Student Leo'el Jackson
    "Since graduating from college, my main focus has been on keeping people in their homes and creating housing opportunities for people who do not have a home."       ~(MCD) Student Leo'el Jackson — Rochester, NY
    With MCD Student Leo'el Jackson
    "Since graduating from college, my main focus has been on keeping people in their homes and creating housing opportunities for people who do not have a home."       ~(MCD) Student Leo'el Jackson — Rochester, NY
  • with MCD student Samuel Scott
    "Mercy Corps in Ketgum was where I had my richest experience as a leader and developed a business skills training program to benefit over three hundred refugees"       ~(MCD) Student Samuel Scott — Durham, NC
    with MCD student Samuel Scott
    "Mercy Corps in Ketgum was where I had my richest experience as a leader and developed a business skills training program to benefit over three hundred refugees"       ~(MCD) Student Samuel Scott — Durham, NC
  • with MCD student Christina Scenna
    "My desire is to learn more about how organizational processes can motivate and influence human behavior within communities"       ~(MCD) Student Christina Scenna — Exeter, NH  
    with MCD student Christina Scenna
    "My desire is to learn more about how organizational processes can motivate and influence human behavior within communities"       ~(MCD) Student Christina Scenna — Exeter, NH  
  • with MCD student Pat Saley
    "I firmly believe that when an individual is granted access to a wide spectrum of supportive resources, they can accomplish their endeavors"       ~(MCD) Student Pat Sales — Milford, CT
    with MCD student Pat Saley
    "I firmly believe that when an individual is granted access to a wide spectrum of supportive resources, they can accomplish their endeavors"       ~(MCD) Student Pat Sales — Milford, CT
  • with MCD student Stacey Purslow
    "My interst is not anything to do with economic development but people having a place to share ideas, improve lives and communities, overcome differences, build trust, and create something new and better"       ~(MCD) Student Stacey Purslow — Rochester, New Hampshire  
    with MCD student Stacey Purslow
    "My interst is not anything to do with economic development but people having a place to share ideas, improve lives and communities, overcome differences, build trust, and create something new and better"       ~(MCD) Student Stacey Purslow — Rochester, New Hampshire