***WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING
STUDENTS INTO THIS PROGRAM***
The Department of Geography is home of the Masters of Science in Community and Economic Development (MSCED) degree program. The Program is delivered entirely online. The department is eager to serve all current and potential students in this program. Please contact us for more information, questions or concerns.
Rated 3rd in the United States among online
Master’s programs in Economics in 2016
See Go Grad website for further information and methodology
MSCED Program Mission Statement
Program Overview
The purpose of the Master of Science in Community and Economic Development (MSCED) is to provide both experienced practitioners and new students with a comprehensive understanding of the theory and applications of state-of-the-art community and economic development tools and methods. Graduates will be prepared to act as catalysts for growth and change through a community development process.
Program Features
- Two 36 credit hour program options: a General Degree Option which includes a 24-credit hour core, including a 3-credit hour internship and 12-credit hours of electives; and a 36-credit Planning Concentration Option which includes a 30-credit hour core and 6-credit hours of electives.
- If properly planned, the degree could be completed in three semesters and one summer.
- All courses are facilitated online through UCA Blackboard.
- Training is in provided Leadership and Management.
- MSCED Internship Resource Page
For Frequently Asked Questions, click HERE.
To contact us, please click Contact MSCED
General Degree
Required Courses (24 credit hours)
CED 6305 – Introduction to Community and Economic Development
CED 6310 – Community and Economic Development Seminar
CED 6311 – Leadership and Decision Making
CED 6315 – Applied Research Methods and Data Analysis
CED 6330 – Community Development Policy Analysis
CED 6340 – Economic and Industrial Development
CED 6350 – Financing Community and Economic Development
CED 6370 – Community and Economic Development Internship
Electives (12 credit hours)
CED 6101 – Community and Economic Development Institute I
CED 6102 – Community and Economic Development Institute II
CED 6103 – Community and Economic Development Institute III
CED 6V16 – Research Projects
CED 6301 – Project Management
CED 6302 – Leadership Communication in Organizations
CED 6313 – Transportation and Infrastructure
CED 6318 – Budgeting
CED 6320 – Holistic Planning and the Community
CED 6335 – Grant Writing
CED 6360 – Cultural Differentiation and Outreach
GEOG 5310 – Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 5315 – Mapping Fundamentals for GIS
GEOG 5333 – GIS for Planning and Public Administration
GEOG 5345 – Digital Image Processing for GIS
GEOG 6320 – Technical Issues in GIS
GEOG 6328 – Spatial Analysis and Modeling
Planning Concentration
Required Courses (30 credit hours)
CED 6305 – Introduction to Community and Economic Development
CED 6310 – Community and Economic Development Seminar
CED 6311 – Leadership and Decision Making
CED 6313 – Transportation and Infrastructure
CED 6315 – Applied Research Methods and Data Analysis
CED 6320 – Holistic Planning and the Community
CED 6330 – Community Development Policy Analysis
CED 6340 – Economic and Industrial Development
CED 6350 – Financing Community and Economic Development
CED 6370 – Community and Economic Development Internship
Electives (6 credit hours)
GEOG 5310 – Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 5315 – Mapping Fundamentals for GIS
GEOG 5333 – GIS for Planning and Public Administration
GEOG 5345 – Digital Image Processing for GIS
GEOG 6320 – Technical Issues in GIS
GEOG 6328 – Spatial Analysis and Modeling
(Other electives may be substituted by request and with approval from the MSCED Director. Please send an e-mail to MSCED@uca.edu for more information.
Click here for a list of future courses
Click here for course descriptions
Community Development Institute
Each year, UCA offers the Community Development Institute (CDE). This week-long institute provides training in professional development related to community and economic development for elected officials, board members, full-time professionals, and citizens from all walks of life. CDI participants receive a certificate after each year of completion. Graduation from CDI occurs upon completion of year three. An advanced year of CDI is also offered for those who have completed the three-year program. CDI prepares participants to sit for the national Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) certification. The curricula of the CDI and MSCED programs are tied together and offer a unique educational experience. Click on the link below for information on the Community Development Institute offered by UCA’s Academic Outreach.
Community and Development Institute
Links
The Graduate school website offers more information about being a graduate student at UCA, taking the GRE, and applying to the graduate school. Click on the link below to be redirected to the Graduate Studies website. The graduate bulletin for Community and Economic Development, which provides descriptions for all courses, can be found on this website.
The endorsing organization for CDI and our PCED certification is the Community Development Council (CDC).
MSCED Office: Contact at the Geography Department at geography@uca.edu.