Community Resources and Development (Sustainable Communities), MS
Environment, Innovation, Social Enterprise, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Urbanism, Volunteerism, government, sociology
Match your natural leadership abilities and passion for fostering thriving communities with increased proficiency in the innovations and skills that will enable you to inspire meaningful initiatives in neighborhoods and cities --- and achieve the impact you've always imagined.
The MS in community resources and development with a concentration in sustainable communities is a research-oriented master's degree program designed to prepare students for their future careers by teaching them to analyze and understand critical topics and issues pertinent to the fields of tourism, parks and recreation management; nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations; and sustainable communities.
Students benefit from the commitment of faculty mentors who teach how to approach and solve problems through the lens of community solution analysis: considering all regulatory, policy and relationship factors for making informed decisions.
Courses are completed conveniently at ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus. Completion of the master's degree program in community resources and development requires two years of study, on average.
- College/School:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (CRD 593)
Required Core (15 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Electives (3 or 9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The thesis option is a research-oriented program and is recommended for students planning to continue graduate studies beyond the master's degree. Students in the thesis option take an advanced inquiry course, and they take three credit hours of elective coursework. The thesis option must be defended in an oral examination before a supervisory committee of at least three faculty members, one of whom resides in another department. The applied project is intended for students seeking additional knowledge and expertise relevant to professional career development. Students in the applied project option take CRD 530 as part of their core coursework and take nine credit hours of electives.
CRD 500 Research Methods (3)
CRD 502 Statistical and Data Analysis (3)
CRD 530 Community Services Management (3) or advanced inquiry course (3)
CRD 552 Critical Issues (3)
CRD 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development (3)
CRD 610 Sustainable Communities (3)
NLM 562 Social Entrepreneurship (3) or
NLM 572 Community and Social Innovations (3)
CRD 593 Applied Project (6) or
CRD 599 Thesis (6)
Students may select a thesis or applied project. Advising and direction in both options are under the direct supervision of an assigned faculty member.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of professional and academic goals
- three letters of recommendation
- current resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Only complete application files are reviewed or considered for admission. Applicants without undergraduate academic work in related disciplines are required to take six credit hours of deficiency coursework in addition to the master's degree requirements. Deficiency coursework may be taken in conjunction with master's degree classes.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Analyze critical topics and issues pertinent to sustainable communities, such as creative problem-solving, strategic planning, volunteer management, etc.
- Relate their individual strengths to demonstrate knowledge of research methods, and data analysis within the context of sustainable communities.
- Apply the principles and practices of community development to address the social, economic, environmental, and cultural challenges of diverse communities.
This degree program prepares graduates for careers in governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and private-sector businesses. Career opportunities include:
- community services officers
- nonprofit and nongovernmental organization officers
- parks and recreation officers
- tourism officers
School of Community Resources and Development
|
UCENT 550
scrd@asu.edu
602-496-0550
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated Master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
