Community Development: Public Administration
Major
Program Overview
Dedicate your career to fostering better health and economic and political opportunities for diverse communities. Earn a bachelor's in community development to gain both conceptual and tactical knowledge for functioning, managing and leading within various community-focused organizations.
Program Snapshot
Why This Program & What You'll Learn
Why Study Community Development at CMU?
Gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the areas of leadership, communications, group dynamics, human resources and policy-making within community settings–from the local to the national. You'll learn from accomplished faculty in courses exploring the role of community institutions and the implementation and evaluation of community programs.
Plus, you’ll concentrate on one of three key areas: community services, health sciences or public administration. With this program, you can educate communities on healthy eating and living, lead public organizations committed to providing better social programs or manage employees working to institute legislative changes at the community level. Whatever your individual career goals, you can tailor your education to help meet them.
You can also earn your degree in an online or face-to-face format depending on your needs. Our flexible and regionally accredited program allows you to earn your degree while working and/or taking care of a family. And if you meet the requirements, you can have 12 credits applied to our Master of Science in Administration program. That's one-third of the credits needed to complete a master's program. In other words, you can have a head start on earning a graduate degree should you pursue it.
You’ll be prepared for many community-focused careers in organizational leadership, human resources, social services, public health services and more.
Public Administration
By concentrating in public administration, you'll develop the skills to help lead and manage organizations at the local, state, and federal levels committed to public services. You'll gain in-depth knowledge of legislative and judicial processes, assessing community needs, rallying support toward a shared goal, and implementing policies to help communities. You'll explore courses in public economics, urban geography, American government, and politics and more.
Program Highlights
- Focus on one of three areas depending on your career goals: community services, health sciences, or public administration.
- Have the chance to apply credit earned in this bachelor's program toward a related master's degree at CMU.
- Earn a bachelor's degree from a program regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Careers & Outcomes
With a degree in community development, you'll be prepared for community-focused administrative careers in organizational leadership, human resources, social services, government, public health services and more.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Community Relations Director | $58,212 |
| Public Affairs Manager | $75,151 |
| City/Town Administrator | $103,840 |
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