The program serves community leaders, practitioners and those committed to people and places in fields such as community and regional planning, parks and recreation, housing, applied sociology, environmental and social justice, community economic development, cooperative extension services, and non-profit sectors. The community development master’s degree program provides the skills, information and networks needed to facilitate sustainable and prosperous community change. It equips practitioners with the tools necessary to build a community in the 21st Century.

This Master of Science in Community Development is a 36-credit hour online collaborative inter-institutional degree program offered through the department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning  in cooperation with the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GP IDEA). Participating universities include Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, University of Nebraska, and South Dakota State University. Students may enroll in this collaborative program at any of the participating universities. The key distinction between the degrees offered by each university lies in the capstone experience of their graduates. While the program name and degree name may vary by university, the curriculum will be comparable, and courses offered in the program will be the collaborative result of a diverse faculty from within the participating universities.

Program Mission:

The Community Development Program provides professional preparation for career development or advancement. We prepare graduates to address challenges faced by communities across rural to urban United States and other countries. Community Development graduates actively promote positive social, economic, cultural and environmental change and engage citizens in democratic decision-making and action. A diverse faculty from several institutions teaches critical thinking, ethical consideration, careful planning and involvement of all stakeholders.

Program of Study Requirements:

A Program of Study is required to be filed with the Graduate School upon completion of 14 credit hours.

Program Administration:

The MS program in Community Development is officially administered by the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning, under the auspices of the Graduate School at Kansas State University, and in conjunction with the Institute for Academic Alliances at Kansas State University. The degree is awarded by the Graduate School, through the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning, College of Architecture, Planning and Design. All courses in this program option are offered online through Global Campus at KSU but may be taught by any of the participating universities. Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Dr. Huston Gibson
Professor and Department Head
Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning
Kansas State University
1086 Seaton Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-2909
785-532-5961
larcpdept@ksu.edu