Southern New Hampshire University’s Community Economic Development Program and the National Community Action Foundation have partnered to enhance educational and credentialing opportunities for leaders in the community action field.
We have taken SNHU’s nationally known and award-winning master’s degree program and customized it for community action professionals.
The Program
The M.S. in CED is a 36-credit-hour program that is taken mostly online with occasional short-term residencies (a three-day on-campus kickoff and then brief regionally based sessions). Students typically enroll in two classes per term and complete the degree in just 18 months.
This highly affordable program offers small classes and the flexibility of our online delivery system.
Students take a combination of core courses and electives. Here is a sample sequence of courses:
| Quarter/Term | Foundation & Capstone Courses | Skills Courses | Project Management Courses | Electives | Total (PerTerm) |
|
Term 1, |
CED 601: Introduction to CED in the U.S. | CED 611: Research Methods in CED | 2 courses; 6 credits | ||
|
Term 2, |
CED 621: Project Design in CED |
History of Community Action |
2 courses; 6 credits | ||
| Term 3, Year 1 June - August |
CED 622: Project Planning in CED | MBA 503 or OL 630 or OL 665 (elective) | 2 courses; 6 credits | ||
| Term 4, Year 1 September - December |
CED 613: Organizational Management in CED ACC 500: Managerial Accounting |
2 courses; 6 credits | |||
| Term 1, Year 2 January - March |
CED 623: Project Management in CED | Elective (1 course; either CED 632 or CED 642) | 2 courses; 6 credits | ||
| Term 2, Year 2 March - June |
CED 624: Project Evaluation in CED | Elective (1 course; TBA) |
2 courses; 6 credits | ||
| Total | 2 courses; 6 credits | 3 courses; 9 credits | 3 courses; 9 credits | 4 courses; 12 credits | 12 courses; 36 credits |
Electives include:
- Housing Development & Policy
- Financing CED
- Urban Development
- Rural Development
- Legal Framework for CED
- Co-operative Development and Management
- Community Building and Organizing
- Financial Management in CED
Affordable
The current cost for the program is $16,443 (subject to change) – well below the cost of the typical master’s degree in management. Scholarships and additional aid may be available. Costs do not include books or the cost of the residencies (which we work hard to keep low).
The first NCAF cohort will begin its studies in January 2011 the second start will occur in September 2011, with a kickoff event in August. Class sizes are small, so plan ahead if you want a spot in this exciting new program.
About NCAF
NCAF is the primary advocate for community action agencies nationwide, working with lawmakers at the federal, state and local levels toward the goal of creating sustainable pathways out of poverty by empowering low-income Americans with the skills they need to achieve permanent self-sufficiency.