Master in Arts - Community Development and Planning (MA CDP)

Program Description Poverty and structural racism undermine the quality of life in urban areas in the United States, and the societal costs can last for generations. The complexity of these problems demands an approach that goes beyond social work or urban planning or design. Clark University developed the M.A. in Community Development and Planning because they believe social and economic justice are possible through the practice of engaged and future focused community development. In Clark’s Community Development and Planning program, students learn about the relations between power and capital that produce inequity, and how to use this knowledge to build partnerships and capacity in people, places, organizations, and institutions in order to promote structural change. Our curriculum is strategic and future-oriented, informed by an understanding of historic political-economic trends and current affairs. The curriculum has depth in areas such as youth justice, economic development, food security, and managing neighborhood transformation through community engagement, planning, and non-profit leadership. Their faculty are engaged scholars and practitioners who work with, and for, state and city governments as well as community development corporations and other non-profits on a range of initiatives aimed at addressing urban challenges. They bring their skills and experience into the classroom, working closely with students to chart career paths. As mentors, the faculty introduce students to internships and a broad professional network. Why a Master’s in Community Development and Planning at Clark University Gain a versatile tool kit that immediately augments your professional contributions, complemented by knowledge that will last throughout your career. Work closely and collaboratively with world-class faculty, researchers, and community partners on problems affecting diverse urban populations, with a shared commitment to equitable solutions. Put classroom knowledge to work in real-world situations during field-based projects and courses. Draw from 10 areas of concentration to tackle projects that cross geographic and cultural boundaries, working with planners, and community developers, as well as anthropologists, geographers, environmental scientists, and geo-scientists. Gain a competitive professional edge in a department that has been ranked #15 in the world for development studies (based on academic reputation) by QS World University Rankings.