Community Development, BA

Community development is a multi-disciplinary field based in the social sciences. In UMass Boston's Community Development program students can customize their focus of study drawing on a breadth of disciplines to focus on issues at the intersection of the environment and economic development, community health, and planning.

What the School Offers to Ensure Your Success

Our Academic Achievement Services Center (AASC@SFE) offers a breadth of programs and activities designed to support you in your journey. Whether you seek additional support for your classes, want to explore internships or research, or merely want to more deeply engage with our alumni or fellow students, AASC@SFE is always here for you.  AASC@SFE offers support and connections for advising, student support (academic, financial, health), career services and opportunities, access to Living-Learning Community programs, and Student Clubs and Organizations.

What You Can Take

Current students should refer to the undergraduate catalog for program requirements.

Course requirements for a BA in community development comprise a total of 120 academic credits, at least 30 of which must be taken at UMass Boston. In addition to UMass Boston general education requirements, students take introductory courses in environmental studies, economics, and community development, statistical analysis courses integrating qualitative, quantitative, and geospatial analysis, core courses in community health and economic development, seminars in conflict resolution and professional development, upper-level courses in environment and human health, climate impacts on human health, sustainable development, minority issues in community development and urbanization, and more. All students complete a senior research/internship capstone experience.

Learning Objectives for this program can be viewed here.

What You Will Learn

After completing your requirements in the BA in community development you will have a firm grounding in the multiple fields that contribute to empowering communities through environmentally sound and sustainable economic development and programming that ensures community health and prosperity. You will have the critical thinking skills necessary to develop and manage community programs and the analytical skills required to advance new strategies and actions in support of a sustainable and just future.

Program Contact

For more information contact the director of AASC Elizabeth Boyle (elizabeth.boyle@umb.edu; 617.287.4756)