Master in Community Development MA (Online)

Application

When can I start the Masters in Community Development program and what are the application deadlines?

Applicants can apply to start in the summer, fall, or spring terms, by the following deadlines:

» Summer Term Start:    March 15^th (for Carsey School Scholarship); April 15^th (final)
» Fall Term Start:    July 1^st (preferred); July 15^th (final)
» Spring Term Start:    December 15^th

International students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure visas and other necessary paperwork are obtained in a timely manner. Please contact Sanjeev Sharma, Admissions and Academic Advising, with any questions or to discuss your academic plan.

How do I apply to the Master of Community Development?

All applications are submitted online through the University of New Hampshire Graduate School. Instructions, link to the online application, and list of required documents can be found on the Graduate School’s Application site. If you are unable to apply online, contact Sanjeev.Sharma@unh.edu or 603-862-1871.

I am an International applicant. How do I apply to the program and attend the on campus summer term? 

All information about the application process for international students, including visas, is available on the UNH Graduate School International Student site.  Because of the short duration of the on campus summer term, a pre-application is not required.

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.

What is your GRE policy?

The GRE is not required but can be submitted, if desired.

An international student must submit proof of competency in English. Applicants currently attending an English-speaking graduate school are not exempt. Competency in English can be demonstrated by the following methods:

• Taking the TOEFL and receiving a minimum score of 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computer-based test or 80 on the iBT. For more information, visit the ETS web page.
• Taking and submitting results from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score no less than 6.5. For more information, visit the IELTS website.

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. 

Financial Aid

Does this program offer any scholarships? 

The Carsey School of Public Policy offers a limited number of needs-based partial tuition scholarships to students who have submitted the online application to the Master in Community Development Policy and Practice program. In order to be considered for a Carsey School Scholarship, please complete and submit your Online Scholarship Application Form by March 15. Applicants will be notified if they qualify for an award within two to three weeks after submitting a completed application. We also encourage students who are awarded a scholarship to leverage their award by seeking additional funding opportunities from other sources.

What happens to my Carsey Scholarship award if I need to defer? 

Carsey Scholarships based on financial need are considered and awarded to individuals for the program year of application. If an admitted student who has been awarded a Carsey Scholarship needs to defer his/her start date due to financial reasons, their scholarship application will also be deferred and given priority reconsideration for the new program start date.

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 or at Tuition Management Systems.

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

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

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.