Community Development - Kansas State University

Community Development from Kansas State University is a Online Master Community College Education degree that prepares you for a Education career. This MS degree program in Community Development is a 36 credit hour program which is an Online Collaborative Inter-Institutional Degree program offered through the Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning graduate program in cooperation with the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA). Participating universities include Kansas State University , Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, and South Dakota State University. The format of the program delivery focuses on the distance learning environments using the internet for course delivery and contact with instructors. Students interested in obtaining this MS degree in Community Development may enroll in this collaborative program at any of the participating universities. While the program name and degree name may vary by university, the curriculum will be essentially the same, and courses offered in the program will be the collaborative result of a divergent faculty from within the participating universities. Track options: Completion of this Community Development Specialization will require that the student complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of elective courses within two of the four tracks (taking a minimum of six credit hours per track) available within the Community Development specialization, as described below: Working with native communities track: This track is designed for students working within or in partnership with native communities. The purpose is for students to understand the unique characteristics of native communities, culture and governance which affect community development. This track incorporates a variety of methods for understanding and working in native communities including historical analysis, case studies, assetbased approaches, talking circles, narratives, GIS and other mapping techniques, and Appreciate Inquiry. Students will utilize team learning and cross cultural comparisons throughout the track. Topics covered in one or more courses include partnerships with native communities, effective community development strategies within native communities, and wellness approaches to community economic development. Special topics may include youth, natural resources, and health . Natural resource management track: This track provides specific tools that enhance the ability of community development professionals engaged in planning, water and wastewater, forest, park or range management, recreation, and similar areas to work with their communities to plan, develop and monitor the conservation and development of natural resources with multiple functions. Building economic capacity track: The purpose of this track is to strengthen the competencies of students interested in community economic capacity building. This will be accomplished through five courses that include information strategies, and appropriate tools and will include courses on: Building institutional capacity for community economic development, Economic development strategies/programs, Cost-benefit analysis, Community economic base study, and Impact analysis. Non-Profit Leadership Track: This track focuses on the role of leadership in community development and change. It includes situating leadership conceptually in the community development process, reviewing the effectiveness of different styles of leadership, and relating shared and inclusive leadership to community building and learning. Examination of group and individual communications strategies, including intercultural communication, is another element of this track. Finally skills and processes that facilitate effective shared leadership are explained and tried out. These include facilitation, conflict resolution, use of participatory techniques, and others. View more details on Kansas State University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Community College Education courses.