Community Development Master's Degree

All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Students who do not have a 3.0 minimum GPA in the final two years, or approximately the last 60 credit hours, may be admitted on a contingent basis after review of their official transcript.

Additional Documentation
Your application must include the following:

• Statement of objectives: Provide a one to two page statement describing why the applicant wants to study community development. Be specific about how the program can help the applicant achieve his or her professional goals and any particular focus areas the applicant hopes to pursue. This statement is also an opportunity to provide additional information about the applicant and his or her aptitude for graduate study in community development. Statements should be addressed to the faculty in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning (LARCP), the academic home of the community development program.
• Names and emails of three professional and/or academic references.
• Unofficial transcripts from each institution attended
  • Failure to list any colleges or universities from which the applicant received a degree or enrolled in graduate coursework may result in dismissal from the university.
  • If transcripts are not in English, the applicant must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority.
  • Applicants will be asked for official transcripts after notification of admission.

Questions? Contact Virginia Brunner-Livingston via email or phone at (785) 532-2833.

A master’s degree in community development is ideal for current and aspiring professionals in areas such as:

• community and regional planning
• economic development and entrepreneurship
• community health and wellness
• anti-poverty programs
• cooperative extension
• housing and infrastructure
• nonprofit organizations
• parks and recreation
• natural resource management
• public administration
• applied sociology
• tribal, immigrant, refugee and youth programs

Required (18 credits)

• CDPLN 700 - Foundations of Community Development (3 credits)
• CDPLN 705 - Organizing for Community Change (3 credits)
• CDPLN 710 - Community Analysis: Introduction to Methods (3 credits)
• CDPLN 715 - Principles and Strategies of Community Change (3 credits)
• CDPLN 720 - Community and Regional Economic Policy and Analysis (3 credits)
• CDPLN 725 - Community and Natural Resource Management (3 credits)

Electives (18 credits)

• CDPLN 633 - Grantwriting (3 credits)
• CDPLN 655 - Land Development Planning (3 credits)
• CDPLN 701 - Introduction to GIS (3 credits)
• CDPLN 701 - Special Studies in Community Development (3 credits)
• CDPLN 702 - Community Engagement (3 credits)
• CDPLN 703 - Applied Community Development (1-3 credits)
• CDPLN 704 - Community Leadership and Capacity Building (3 credits)
• CDPLN 706 - Economic Development, Strategies and Programs (3 credits)
• CDPLN 707 - Evaluation of Organizations & Programs (3 credits)
• CDPLN 708 - Government, Politics and Community Development (3 credits)
• CDPLN 709 - Housing and Development Programs
• CDPLN 711 - Immigrants in Communities (3 credits)
• CDPLN 712 - Sustainable Communities (3 credits)
• CDPLN 713 - Nonprofit Management (3 credits)
• CDPLN 714 - Intro to Native Community Development (3 credits)
• CDPLN 716 - Building Native Communities and Economic Capacity (3 credits)
• CDPLN 880 - Proposal Development (3 credits)
• CDPLN 899 - Research in Community Development (3 credits)

This program also requires successful completion of a coursework-only written examination which focuses on the application of knowledge gained through community development issues and ideas, or a master’s report or thesis which allows you to undertake an independent project focused on a specific area of professional interest.

This program is offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA), which offers you a unique chance to take classes from multiple, high-quality universities. Expand your professional network by collaborating with classmates and expert faculty from across the country who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the coursework.

You will choose K-State to be your home university. Once admitted to K-State, you will work with the Great Plains IDEA campus coordinator who will help you get started and get enrolled in classes. Your campus coordinator assists you through Great Plains IDEA processes and is your link to distance education resources at your university.

Benefits of Studying through Great Plains IDEA

With Great Plains IDEA, there is one affordable common price per credit hour, and there are no out-of-state fees or distance delivery fees. This common price alleviates confusion around tuition since you’ll be taking courses from partner universities as well as K-State. Being able to take classes from more than one university provides you with greater access to high-quality online programming and ensures you are able to balance your education with your work and home responsibilities.

Learn more about how Great Plains IDEA works.