Master in Community Development: Gain the Skills to Make a Difference in Your Community

Master in Community Development students walking in a field.
Master in Community Development: Gain the Skills to Make a Difference in Your Community

Why Earn a Master in Community Development from the Carsey School of Public Policy?

Learn to Serve and Lead: Our online Master in Community Development will prepare you for building and sustaining strong communities through integration and collaboration across sectors — housing, health, finance, business development, jobs and more. This innovative program will give you the skills, know-how, connections and ideas to promote progress in communities across the United States and the globe.

The 14-month Community Development program is offered entirely online currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Application deadlines:

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Contact Information

What Makes the Community Development Program Unique?

Your Community, Your Capstone

During the Master in Community Development program, you'll complete a yearlong capstone project. You'll learn firsthand the most effective methods for having the greatest impact while applying what you learn in the classroom to a real project in a community you care about.

What community or communities do you want to impact? Our students have left their marks and contributed to stronger, healthier communities all over the world. 

» Student Capstone Projects

Getting Started
 

Curriculum Information:

Application Checklist: Your list of requirements to apply to the Carsey School (no GRE required). Get the Checklist!

Education Funding: See tuition costs and financing opportunities, including scholarships and fellowships. Find Funding!

Partnership Programs: We offer education awards and a graduate credit program through partnerships with select government and nonprofit organizations. See our Partners!

» Community Development Program Webpage

Meet Our Graduates

  • Carsey School MCD Student Lindsey Hajduk
    A Deeper Understanding
    With MCD Student Lindsey Hajduk
    "The MCD Program will give me tools and strategies to create a safe, connected community where everyone has a place to call home."       ~(MCD) Student Lindsey Hajduk — Anchorage, AK
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    A Deeper Understanding
    With MCD Student Lindsey Hajduk
    "The MCD Program will give me tools and strategies to create a safe, connected community where everyone has a place to call home."       ~(MCD) Student Lindsey Hajduk — Anchorage, AK
    Learn More
  • MCD Student Matthew Parker
    Necessary Tools
    With MCD Student Matthew Parker
    "I am pursuing the Masters in Community Development to build out the tools I believe necessary to lead the Union of Minority Neighborhoods and to be an example to my children."       ~(MCD) Student Matthew Parker — Boston, MA
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    Necessary Tools
    With MCD Student Matthew Parker
    "I am pursuing the Masters in Community Development to build out the tools I believe necessary to lead the Union of Minority Neighborhoods and to be an example to my children."       ~(MCD) Student Matthew Parker — Boston, MA
    Learn More
  • MCD Student Jessica Martin
    Economic Development
    With MCD Student Jessica Martin
    "I have a passion for housing issues, regional economic development, supporting under-served populations and transit related issues."       ~(MCD) Student Jessica Martin — Manchester, NH
    Learn More
    Economic Development
    With MCD Student Jessica Martin
    "I have a passion for housing issues, regional economic development, supporting under-served populations and transit related issues."       ~(MCD) Student Jessica Martin — Manchester, NH
    Learn More
  • MCD Student Jean Damascene Hakuzimana
    Team Work
    With Alum Jean Damascene Hakuzimana '20G (MCD)
    "I am in my second year and I am looking forward to learning more together with this incredible team!"       ~(MCD) Alum Jean Damascene Hakuzimana '20G — Concord, NH
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    Team Work
    With Alum Jean Damascene Hakuzimana '20G (MCD)
    "I am in my second year and I am looking forward to learning more together with this incredible team!"       ~(MCD) Alum Jean Damascene Hakuzimana '20G — Concord, NH
    Learn More
  • Photo showing Parker LaRock (far left in left photo) and Jessica Amato (center woman in right photo).
    Changes That Last
    With Alumni Jessica Amato '19G (MCD) & Parker LaRock '15, '20G (MCD)
    "If you told me 5 years ago that I would be making a positive impact on UNH and implementing change that would last, I wouldn’t have believed it…this program really does help empower you to make real positive change."       ~(MCD) Alum Parker LaRock, '15, '20G
    Learn More
    Changes That Last
    With Alumni Jessica Amato '19G (MCD) & Parker LaRock '15, '20G (MCD)
    "If you told me 5 years ago that I would be making a positive impact on UNH and implementing change that would last, I wouldn’t have believed it…this program really does help empower you to make real positive change."       ~(MCD) Alum Parker LaRock, '15, '20G
    Learn More

View All Alumni, MCD Program Spotlights

Meet Ali Sekou, Master in Community Development Graduate

Ali Sekou ‘19G of Concord, N.H., was recently named to the New Hampshire Union Leader’s annual 40 Under Forty list of outstanding residents across the state. A 2019 graduate of the Master in Community Development program at the Carsey School, Sekou serves actively within his community as a member of several organizations – including the Concord Library’s Trustees and the Islamic Society of Greater Concord. He immigrated to the United States from Niger in 2012 and almost immediately enrolled in school – that access to education helped “open the doors to opportunity.”

 

Take the Next Step

 

Visit the MCD Webpage

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