Community Development
Program Description
Embark on a challenging and meaningful career in Community Development with Minneapolis College’s multifaceted and holistic program that intersects community development, community organizing, and indigenous cultures. Become a leader that makes a difference in people’s lives, working to improve urban communities and affecting change through policymaking at local, state and federal levels.
Advantages
- Faculty members have community organizing and development experience on the national, state and local levels.
- The community development curriculum, which was developed through a partnership between Minneapolis College and the Native American Community Development Institute, emphasizes the Native American experience as well as the study of all culture groups.
- The program takes a holistic approach, showing you how to leverage local organizing and development techniques to make a difference.
- You’ll get practical skills and develop the critical skills needed for employment in community development through varied classes in business, project management and communication.
Program Details
Award Requirements and Course Descriptions & Outlines
Please select the award below to view the degree options and requirements in the college catalog.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of community development, community organizing, and social movements, with a particular focus on indigenous communities, communities of color, and other marginalized communities.
- Describe and assess strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to community organizing, community development, advocacy, and leadership.
- Demonstrate cultural competence skills and an understanding of human diversity.
- Research and analyze social, political, and economic issues, and public policies, with an emphasis on those that relate to indigenous communities, communities of color, other marginalized communities and urban settings.
- Analyze power and the factors that lead to inequality in various contexts (interpersonal, local, state, national, global).
- Develop media, policy, community organizing, and personal leadership action plans.
What You Will Learn
- You will gain an understanding of the evolving role of indigenous cultures in the broader community and in a changing global environment.
- You will learn the approaches, methods, and techniques used by community developers and indigenous cultural groups, especially Native Americans.
- You will learn about the interrelationships between community developers, community organizers and indigenous cultures.
- You will develop a working knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of citizen leaders, citizen participants, community developers and organizers.
- You will learn how local action – and a community’s finances, assessment and development - impact policymaking.
- You’ll gain practical skills necessary to research community development issues.
- You will strengthen your leadership and teamwork skills.
Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities
Minneapolis College works closely with Native American Community Development Institute as well as other Native and Urban Organizations through this program. Numerous volunteer opportunities are available.
Occupational Outlook
There is a growing need in today’s economy for people who can work collaborative and engage communities. The demand for social and community service managers is expected to be strong. Several factors will drive growth in social service fields: the aging population; increasing concern about crime and juvenile delinquency; and the continuing need for services for those who are mentally ill, have physical disabilities, or need long-term health care.
Potential Job Titles
- Community Services Block Grant/Outreach Coordinator
- Community Development Coordinator
- Program Director
- Agency Administrator
- Bank officer for Community Development Programs
Where You Could Work
- 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