Communities thrive when local decision-makers and activists can creatively implement solutions for the social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges the community faces. The Community Development Certificate offers students an opportunity to study with leading educators, researchers, and practitioners representing diverse fields including community and regional planning, architecture, sociology, Native American studies, economics, and natural resources.
You will have access to cutting edge approaches and research in the field, an opportunity to build their own network to support both their career goals and their community development efforts, and the credential to assist with promotion and new career paths. Online delivery and modular scheduling allows you to fit classes into your own schedule around your professional career and personal responsibilities. Yet, you will still capture the richness of interacting and networking with faculty and other students in this electronic learning community.
Community Development
About
- Hold an undergraduate degree in Sociology, Economics, Human services, or related field
- Are working in a related field and want to develop connections to other organizations and people committed to successful community change
- Are interested in the field and want to get a strong foundation to assist you in your career aspirations
- Are interested in working with communities and organizations to address today's challenges
- Have strong writing and communication skills
Disciplines
Requirements
Entry Requirements
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 to receive unconditional admission.
- A professional academic transcript evaluation for degrees earned outside the United States (This requirement cannot be waived unless your highest degree was earned or will be earned in the U.S. prior to enrollment at SDSU).
- If you are completing your bachelor's degree at the time of application, you may submit an incomplete evaluation. If you are accepted, a complete transcript and/or evaluation with completed degree will be required by the end of your first semester of coursework.
- Official U.S. transcripts where a degree is earned (or will be earned), and official U.S. transcripts where graduate level coursework has been taken.
- A minimum TOEFL score of 71, TOEFL Essentials score of 7.5, IELTS score of 6 or Duolingo score of 100.
- SDSU accepts MyBest TOFEL scores.
- Some programs have higher minimum requirements. Find program specific requirements by selecting your program of interest in the Graduate Catalog.
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6
- TOEFLMin 71
Career
- Cooperative extension
- Youth development
- Housing
- Community planning
- Natural resources management
- Community health and wellness programs
- Parks and recreation
- Food systems and community gardening projects
- Poverty and homelessness programs
- Military family services
Fee Information
How to Apply
Step 1
Complete the online application and pay application fee.
Step 2
Submit all required application materials including:
- Transcript Evaluation
- Transcripts
- IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo Scores
- Financial Documents
- Proof of Immunity
- Documents Required by Your Program of Interest
Step 3
The Graduate School will review your application file. When all required documents have been received, your application file will be sent to your program's department for review.
Step 4
The department will review your application file and provide an initial admission decision before sending it back to the Graduate School. The time frame for this step varies according to each department's review process. Allow for a minimum of 3-4 weeks.
Step 5
The Graduate School provides final review and admission decision. You will receive an e-mail notification of the admission decision.
Step 6
Upon acceptance, the International Student Affairs office will be the main point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding your visa, travel arrangements and other issues. Please note, SDSU is not authorized to issue I-20s for certificate level programs. International students must be in an on-campus, master's or doctoral level program to be issued an I-20.
United States of America, Fayetteville