Applied Studies: Community Development
North Central University’s Applied Studies: Community Development program takes a holistic approach to understanding community, showing you how to leverage local organizing and development techniques to make a difference.
What sets us apart
preparing you for success in a fulfilling career.
The Applied Studies: Community Development program, in partnership with Minneapolis College, helps you gain practical and critical skills needed for employment in community development through varied classes in business, project management and communication.
By earning a liberal arts bachelor’s degree from North Central University and a career specific associate’s degree from Minneapolis College, you’ll be a well-rounded, highly-skilled, marketable employee when you graduate. The broad worldview and critical thinking skills you’ll gain at North Central, along with the training and experience you’ll get at Minneapolis College, will help you land that first job right out of college and will give you opportunities to pursue a calling that’s professionally and personally rewarding.
North Central community
Join North Central’s spirit-filled, faithful, supportive community.
Read more. HideGet all the benefits of our Christian community
One of the best things about being a North Central University student is joining our spirit-filled, faithful, vibrant urban community. In the Applied Studies program, you’ll be a full NCU student, meaning you’ll live on campus, attend daily chapel with your friends and classmates, find mentors in NCU professors, and participate in student organizations and events.
Plus, you’ll get all the benefits of a well-rounded Christian liberal arts education. You’ll take the Christian Studies Core (and graduate with a Christian Studies minor) just like all North Central students. You’ll also take general education courses and electives at North Central. The Christian liberal arts education that North Central provides will prepare you with a firmly rooted faith, a broad and informed worldview, cultural and global awareness, and the critical thinking skills you need for any career field.
Partnership with Minneapolis College
Learn about our partnership with one of the region's best technical schools.
Read more. HideOur Minneapolis College partnership gives you access to courses, resources, and expert faculty
By partnering with Minneapolis College, we can offer you access to career specific courses and training, opportunities to gain real-world experience, and expert faculty.
Minneapolis College is a public two-year college located in downtown Minneapolis. As a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Minneapolis College offers a wide range of learning opportunities and has access to many unique resources.
These resources will prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to find your first job out of college, succeed in your career, and pursue a calling that is fulfilling, meaningful, and rewarding.
In the Applied Studies: Community Development program, you’ll take career-specific courses at Minneapolis College, accounting for 30-50% of the credits towards your bachelor’s degree.
The Applied Studies program may not be VA benefit eligible. Please contact Student Financial Services to learn more.
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Skills you’ll gain
When you graduate from the Community Development program, you’ll be prepared with skills and knowledge in:
- Understanding of the role of indigenous cultures in the community and in a changing global environment.
- The approaches, methods, and techniques used by community developers.
- The relationships between community developers, community organizers and indigenous cultures.
- The roles and responsibilities of citizen leaders, citizen participants, community developers and organizers.
- Understanding local action, community finances, assessment and development, and policymaking.
- Researching community development issues.
- Leadership and teamwork skills.
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Potential careers
Our graduates succeed in a variety of jobs and careers. Here are some possibilities:
- Community Services Block Grant/Outreach Coordinator
- Community Development Coordinator
- Program Director
- Agency Administrator
- Bank officer for Community Development Programs
You could work in a variety of settings, including:
- Federal, state, county or local governments
- Banks and grant programs
- Private and nonprofit agencies
- Community development corporations
- Community organizations
- Neighborhood associations
- Neighborhood revitalization programs (NRP)
- Community Education
- Environmental impact assessment services
- Private developers
Want to learn more?
Download the one sheet!
Simply fill in your info on the form to download the informational one sheet that covers:
- An overview of the program
- Classes you’ll take
- Exciting jobs you can get after graduation
Interested in earning your degree in Community Development?
Requirements
All students must complete the General Education Core and Christian Studies Core. General electives may be added or an optional minor may be selected. You need 124 total credit hours to complete an Applied Studies: Community Development degree.