Community Development Policy and Practice, M.A. - COLA, UNH

What the Program Covers

The online Master in Community Development (MCD) program prepares students to lead community development initiatives in the public and nonprofit sectors. The MCD program is taught by practitioners with expertise in development finance, economic and policy analysis, organizational development, and project management. Students apply what they learn through a community-based capstone project addressing real-world challenges. 

The curriculum emphasizes applied, participatory approaches that build skills in program design, financial and project management, and sustainable development. Professionals with five or more years of relevant experience may qualify for the Executive MCD, a reduced-credit option that can be completed in one year. Note that the GRE is not required for admission to this program.

Program Highlights

• 12 courses fully online and flexible to the needs of working professionals 
• Start in the fall, spring, or summer 
• Gain effective community development skills and tools through an applied four-term capstone project in your community 
• Connect with respected field experts across disciplines 
• Focus on recreation administration by adding the optional Recreation Management and Policy track to your MCD degree 

Program Delivery and Options

All courses are delivered online. Students may take optional electives in person on UNH campuses. An optional Washington, DC Colloquium brings students to Washington, DC for a week of meetings with policymakers and practitioners. 

MCD Sample Degree Plan (36 Credits): Fall Start

MCD Sample Degree Plan (36 Credits): Spring Start

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With full faculty support, students carry out a four-term capstone project in their communities by completing actionable assignments throughout the series of four (4) applied project courses. 

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A variety of MCD-Approved Elective courses are offered each term and vary each year. This includes the MCD Independent Study course (DPP 990) taken under the guidance of an MCD faculty member. Students wishing to pursue elective courses outside of the MCD program should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance and approval.

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Students pursuing the Recreation Management and Policy Track should consult with their departmental Graduate Academic Advisors at the Carsey School and Recreation Management & Policy for guidance on which RMP courses are relevant based upon their interests. Note that some RMP courses are offered online, while other courses are currently offered on campus only. Check course details for course location specifics.

Students enrolled in the Carsey School's Master in Community Development Policy and Practice program (MCD) are required to complete a 36-credit program, consisting of 12 courses including a four-term capstone project:

• 5 CORE Curriculum Courses
• 4 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CAPSTONE Courses
• 3 ​DEGREE SPECIALIZATION TRACK Courses (Elective Track or Recreation Management and Policy Track)

These provide the applied foundational community and economic development skills in strategy, practice, and analysis for a successful career in community development. In this program, students will examine each of the core interdisciplinary areas within the cross-cutting lenses of public policy, data collection, and analysis as students directly apply what they learn in the classroom through a capstone project centered on community engagement for sustainable development. Further opportunities for depth and specialization are provided through a variety of Elective courses or by choosing the optional Recreation Management and Policy Track for those focusing on recreation administration.

¹

With full faculty support, students carry out a four-term capstone project in their communities by completing actionable assignments throughout the series of four applied project courses. 

²

A variety of MCD-Approved Elective courses are offered each term and vary each year. This includes the MCD Independent Study course (DPP 990) taken under the guidance of an MCD faculty member. Students wishing to pursue elective courses outside of the MCD program should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance and approval.

³

Students pursuing the Recreation Management and Policy Track should consult with their departmental Graduate Academic Advisors at the Carsey School and Recreation Management & Policy for guidance on which RMP courses are relevant based upon their interests. Note that some RMP courses are offered online, while other courses are currently offered on campus only. Check course details for course location specifics.

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.) Accelerated Option

Accelerated Master's Progam Eligible: Yes-MCD Only (not applicable for the Executive MCD program)

The 36-credit Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.) program (MCD) allows eligible undergraduate seniors to enroll in graduate level courses which can fulfill requirements for both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can apply to the Accelerated Master's MCD program during their junior or senior year. Please review details on eligibility requirements for admission.

Eligible students who are admitted to the Accelerated Master's MCD program may complete up to 12 credits (four 3-credit courses) at the 800-level during their undergraduate senior year (unless otherwise indicated below), Credit earned counts toward both the undergraduate program and graduate degree.

The 36-credit Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.) program (MCD) is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the below undergraduate programs.

The graduate 800-level courses listed below have been approved to be completed in the undergraduate senior year and earn credit toward both the undergraduate programs listed below and the Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.) degree program.

Accelerated Master's students should always consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for course selection guidance.

College of Health and Human Services

College of life sciences and agriculture

College of Professional Studies - Online

• Develop interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to integrate theory, policy, data collection, and analysis.
• Acquire an understanding of complex development issues and problems.
• Apply learning to real-world situations.
• Effectively communicate findings to various audiences both verbally and in writing.

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall:  August 1
• Spring: December 15
• Summer: April 15
• Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham, Online

New England Regional: Not Needed

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Letters should include academic and professional references.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Resume

Resume is optional but recommended.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are strongly encouraged to contact Carsey Admissions prior to starting their application and to apply as early as possible to insure visa’s and other necessary paperwork are received in a timely manner. All international applicants are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. Please note that English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Note: international applicants are not required to complete a preapplication for this program.