Carsey School of Public Policy
The Carsey School's Executive Master in Community Development (MCD) online program welcomes midcareer professionals with at least 5 years of relevant experience seeking opportunities to hone their development skills and advance their careers without leaving their current situation.
Those who meet this criteria can reduce their credit load by 6 credits, or 2 elective courses, earning their degree in just 12 months while saving money on tuition. The program is completely online and has weekly required synchronous components. Through engaging, hands-on opportunities, the Executive MCD will prepare you for high-impact development roles in as little as 12 months.
Application Deadlines: Apr. 15 (Summer Term) ● Aug. 1 (Fall Term) ● Dec. 15 (Spring Term)
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The Master in Community Development (MCD) program prepares working professionals to lead sustainable, community-driven change. This online graduate program builds skills in development finance, policy and economic analysis, organizational development, and project management. Students will be equipped with practitioner-focused theories, approaches, and strategies to design, implement, and successfully manage equitable community initiatives.
The online MCD at UNH offers a hands-on learning experience built around real-world impact. Guided by expert practitioners, you’ll apply engagement and problem-solving techniques through a four-term capstone project in partnership with a community. This 14-month program expands your professional network while strengthening your capacity to lead impactful organizations.
The online Executive Master in Community Development (MCD) program prepares students to lead community development initiatives in the public and nonprofit sectors. The Executive MCD 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 this reduced-credit Executive MCD program and those with less experience can enroll in the 36-credit MCD program. Note that the GRE is not required for admission to this program.
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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Term 1 | ||
| DPP 801 | Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice | 3 |
| DPP 980 | Introduction to Community Development Projects 1 | 3 |
| Term 2 | ||
| DPP 806 | Organizational Management and Leadership | 3 |
| DPP 981 | Project Design and Planning 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Term 3 | ||
| DPP 802 | Economic Analysis for Development | 3 |
| DPP 982 | Project Implementation and Monitoring 1 | 3 |
| Term 4 | ||
| DPP 805 | Fiscal Management for Development Organizations | 3 |
| DPP 983 | Project Evaluation 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| Term 5 | ||
| DPP 808 | Policy Seminar | 3 |
| MCD-Approved Elective Course 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| Term 3 | ||
| DPP 802 | Economic Analysis for Development | 3 |
| Term 4 | ||
| DPP 805 | Fiscal Management for Development Organizations | 3 |
| MCD-Approved Elective Course 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Term 5 | ||
| DPP 808 | Policy Seminar | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| DPP 801 | Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice | 3 |
| DPP 980 | Introduction to Community Development Projects 1 | 3 |
| Term 2 | ||
| DPP 806 | Organizational Management and Leadership | 3 |
| DPP 981 | Project Design and Planning 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring | ||
| Term 3 | ||
| DPP 982 | Project Implementation and Monitoring 1 | 3 |
| Term 4 | ||
| DPP 983 | Project Evaluation 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
With full faculty support, students carry out a four-term capstone project in their communities by completing actionable assignments throughout the series of 4 applied project courses.
A variety of MCD Elective courses and other Carsey graduate courses are offered each term. 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.
Students enrolled in the Carsey School's Executive Master in Community Development Policy and Practice program (MCD) are required to complete a 30-credit program, consisting of 10 courses including a four-term capstone project:
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 which vary each year as well as the opportunity to conduct independent studies to delve deeper into a specific aspect of a student's community or capstone project.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CORE Required Courses (5 Courses) | ||
| DPP 801 | Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice | 3 |
| DPP 802 | Economic Analysis for Development | 3 |
| DPP 805 | Fiscal Management for Development Organizations | 3 |
| DPP 806 | Organizational Management and Leadership | 3 |
| DPP 808 | Policy Seminar | 3 |
| EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Required Courses (4 Courses) 1 | ||
| DPP 980 | Introduction to Community Development Projects | 3 |
| DPP 981 | Project Design and Planning | 3 |
| DPP 982 | Project Implementation and Monitoring | 3 |
| DPP 983 | Project Evaluation | 3 |
| Electives (1 Course) | ||
| MCD-Approved Elective Course 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
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.
A variety of MCD Elective courses and other Carsey graduate courses are offered each term. 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.
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham, Online
New England Regional: Not Needed
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
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.
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:
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.
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
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.
The Executive Master's in 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 interest and an explanation of your goals in pursuing a master’s degree.
Our Online Executive MCD program is designed so that the full-time working professional can take classes on a part-time basis. Classes are conducted online and typically consist of an asynchronous curriculum combined with a small number of synchronous sessions over the term, which, if offered, are held in the early evenings. Elective courses are also offered online in the same manner.
No, only mid-career professionals with 5 or more years of experience are eligible.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The Carsey School is proud to partner with public service organizations nationwide, enabling students to build upon their valued experiences by furthering their public service education and expanding their impact. These graduate school partners offer funding to employees, members, and alumni of their own credentialing programs. Scholarships are also available for specific groups. Learn More about our Partner Scholarships
