Community Development

    Master of Community Development at University of Arkansas

    Master of Community Development at University of Arkansas

    The Community Development at University of Arkansas is a Master program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered online at the Online campus in Fayetteville , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 2 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 21, 2026.

    About Master of Community Development

    Communities thrive when local decision-makers and activists can creatively implement solutions for the social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges the community faces. The M.S. in Community Development 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.

    • 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

    College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Community Development at University of Arkansas

    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 Opportunities after Completing Master of Community Development

    • Cooperative extension
    • Youth development
    • Housing
    • Community planning
    • Natural resource management
    • Community health and wellness programs
    • Parks and recreation
    • Food systems and community gardening projects
    • Poverty and homelessness programs
    • Military family services

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 35

    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.

    Master of Community Development at University of Arkansas
    University of Arkansas
    University of Arkansas
    United States of America

    United States of America, Fayetteville

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