Rewarding Careers Helping Communities Thrive
Earning your Community Economic Development MS degree online at SNHU prepares you for a range of careers in a variety of organizations.
The need for committed CED practitioners will remain strong as efforts continue in the U.S. and around the world to rebuild and revitalize communities. There are a number of community economic development careers for professionals who know
how to get things accomplished while considering social, economic, political and cultural influences.
For example, urban and regional planners, two popular professions which fall under the community economic development careers umbrella, are projected to grow by 19 percent through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
CED practitioners work in a variety of fields and organizations, including:
- affordable housing development
- construction and production management
- development finance
- international microenterprise development
- nonprofit management
- community building and organizing
- neighborhood revitalization
- cooperatives
CED Learning Outcomes
When you graduate with your online degree in community economic development from SNHU, you will leave with a proficiency in the following areas:
- Project management - Working closely with a professor, you will create a real CED project based on your interests, then manage and measure it along the way to make sure you are hitting your benchmarks.
- Organizational management - Manage and mobilize people and resources to complete your project. Your fellow CED students come from all parts of the world and have varied careers and experiences, with all different types of work experiences, so you'll have peers you can rely on for support, ideas and suggestions.
- Basic financial management – Learn to read and understand common financial statements and reports.
- Basic research - Learn how to find, use and evaluate data and information so you can make informed decisions and build a case for support among colleagues and community members.
Community Economic Development Career Resources
Southern New Hampshire University’s Community Economic Development Department encourages its students to get involved with the following organizations:
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
IEDC is the result of the 2001 merger of the American Economic Development Council, the largest and oldest economic development society, and the Council for Urban Economic Development, a multi-service membership organization and strong advocate of economic development since 1967. The IEDC continues the strong legacies of the former organizations by providing a variety of services, including advocacy, training and education, information and technical assistance, and networking.
NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides advocacy, education, research and training for the nation's regional development organizations. Building on nearly four decades of experience, the association offers its members exclusive access to a variety of services and benefits -- all of which are designed to enhance the ability of regional development organizations to foster "regional solutions" to local government, business and community needs.
National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations
A vehicle for developing and pursuing a national community agenda, NACEDA also works to strengthen and expand the role of state community economic development associations in promoting the efforts of local CDCs, and building the capacity and reach of the CDC field. NACEDA serves its membership through public policy advocacy, providing peer-to-peer support and development for state association staff, and supporting new and emerging state associations.
National Community Action Foundation
NCAF is a leading 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.
NeighborWorks America
This Washington, D.C.-based non-profit creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.
Career Opportunities
Business Exchange
Developed by Business Week, part of Bloomberg, this web page lists the latest economic development jobs from around the country.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Two types of careers that fall under the broad field of community economic development are urban and regional planners. The U.S. Department of Labor projects these careers to grow a faster than average 19 percent through 2018.
The Peace Corps
Peace Corps Volunteers serve in 77 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Collaborating with local community members, Volunteers work in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology.