Master of Community Development (MCD)
Program Description
The Master of Community Development (MCD) is a 30-credit-hour program. Full-time and part-time students are welcome to apply. The core curriculum will be taught in an afternoon, evening, weekend or intensive format that can accommodate working adults.
The MCD program prepares graduates to lead and serve in a variety of roles in community development, including municipal government, non-profit organizations, social service agencies, and real estate development.
Why Choose Detroit Mercy’s MCD Program?
The Master of Community Development is a unique program not found anywhere else. While other degree programs concentrate on just one aspect of community development, Detroit Mercy's integrated program emphasizes a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach.
The MCD program offers the following distinctive features:
An innovative educational model designed to support the career needs of a broad range of individuals currently working in the community development field.
Integrated human, organizational, physical and economic aspects of community development for a holistic approach to developing viable communities.
A program that combines theory with practical application through partnerships with professionals in the local community development sector.
Faculty expertise from across academic units to provide a broad, interdisciplinary foundation for creating livable communities.
The MCD program, located in Detroit, focuses on the development of challenged communities within urban contexts nationally. It provides local advocates and leaders an easily accessible program to network, develop skills, and build capacity to address Detroit’s social and physical condition and other communities facing similar issues.
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Admissions Requirements
Admissions criteria and process
Applicants to the Master of Community Development program should have a minimum GPA of 3.0* in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program from an accredited institution. To be considered for admission, a candidate must complete the graduate application for evaluation by MCD faculty. The application consists of:
- Transcripts from a bachelor's or master's program at an accredited institution.
- Letter of interest, including your MCD concentrations preference(s).
- Resume, illustrating excellence and accomplishment in academic, extracurricular, service and/or professional endeavors.
- Two letters of recommendation from employers and/or faculty, including contact information.
- Test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOFEL etc.) are not mandatory, but will be considered.
- An interview, facilitated by MCD faculty/administration members, to determine the applicant’s contribution to a unique learning environment.
Additional requirements may include:
- An essay exam to determine English language and writing skills.
*Professional accomplishments in a related field will be considered in addition to GPA.
For more information
Contact the Admissions Office at 313-993-3289 for more information.
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Degree Requirements for Master of Community Development (30 credits)
Curriculum
The MCD curriculum has four elements: an intensive introduction, a core curriculum of seminar classes, concentration electives, and a capstone project. The introduction course provides an overview of the four concentrations, while the core curriculum offers a course in each of the human, organizational, physical, and economic development concentrations. The remaining core curriculum explores more complex issues in contemporary community development, including diversity, social justice, regional and global issues and trends. The Capstone is a collaborative project that provides students an opportunity to work on a real-world community development issue with a local organization. The total credit hour requirement is a minimum of 30 credit hours.
Introduction to Community Development
- MCD 5010 Introduction to Community Development (2 credits)
Core Curriculum—19 credit hours
- MCD 5020 Introduction to Economic Development (3 credits)
- MCD 5040 Introduction to Human Development (3 credits)
- MCD 5060 Introduction to Physical Development (3 credits)
- MCD 5080 Introduction to Organizational Development (3 credits)
- MCD 5100 Diversity and Multiculturalism in Community Development (2 credits)
- MCD 5120 Environmental Social Economic Justice (2 credits)
- MCD 5140 Regional Development and Sustainability (2 credits)
- MCD 5200* MCD Skills Workshops (1 credits)
Capstone Project - six credits
Electives - 3 credit hours
During the course of the MCD program, students must complete at least one 3 credit hour elective of their choice focused on one of the concentration areas listed below.
Human Development
This area of study emphasizes the relationship between people and their social and physical environment. Students study human interactions by people of all ages that take place in community settings such as the home, the school and the neighborhood. Social and human services needs assessment is included in this concentration. Suggested courses include:
- CNS 5360 Counseling Services: Organization & Administration (3 credits)
- HLH 5320 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction (3 credits)
- HLH 5700 Health Care Delivery & Policy Issues (3 credits)
- PYC 5000 Social Psychology (3 credits)
- RELS 5480 Justice: Contemporary Issues and Theories (3 credits)
- CJS 5700 Socialization and Social Control (3 Credits)
Organizational Development
This area of study emphasizes how communities can organize to address their human, economic and physical conditions. Students study organizational funding and financing, transformational leadership, organizing volunteer services and working with governmental agencies to create community change. Suggested courses include:
- MBA 5140 Foundations of Management (3 credits)
- MBA 5210 Personal Development and Social Responsibility (3 credits)
- MBA 5250 Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
- MBA 5680 Diversity in Management and Marketing (3 credits)
- MBA 5850 Organizational Change and Development (3 credits)
- PYC 5700 Issues in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
- PYC 5740 Training and Development (3 credits)
- PYC 5760 Multicultural Issues in the Workplace (3 credits)
- CJS 5700 Socialization and Social Control (3 Credits)
Physical Development
This area of study emphasizes the man-made environment and its importance to the creation of community. Students study planning and design issues, ecological criteria of design, real estate development and the physical elements that help create a sense of place and identity in the community. Suggested courses include:
- ARCH 5921 Theory of Urban Form (3 credits)
- SEC 5240 Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (3 credits)
- MCD 5290 Real Estate Development (3 credits)
- MCD 5720 Historic Preservation (3 credits)
Economic Development
This area of study emphasizes the complex role of economics in community development. Students study an array of issues including job creation, business development and entrepreneurship and their impact on communities. Suggested courses include:
- ECN 5100 Economic Analysis of Enterprises (3 credits)
- ECN 5220 Urban Economics and Planning (3 credits)
- ECN 5450 Economics of the Public Sector (3 credits)
- ECN 5700 Economic Development (3 credits)
- MBA 5160 Foundations of Marketing (3 credits)
- MBA 5620 Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
- RELS 5430 Ethics and Economic Theories (3 credits)
- MCD 5290 Architect / Community Developer as Real Estate Developer (3 credits)
- MCD 5720 Historic Preservation (3 credits)
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Program Contact Information
University of Detroit Mercy
School of Architecture & Community Development
4001 West McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221-3038
Program Director: Sarida Scott
School of Architecture & Community Development
McNichols Campus
LO 118
Telephone: 313-578-0307
Fax: 313-993-1512
Email: scottsa4@udmercy.edu