Sustainable Community Development

Why this program?

You believe that healthy communities are the key to a just and sustainable world. You want to learn how to design, enhance, or restore resilient and vibrant communities. You want to learn how different communities work: how they face struggles and solve problems current and future, how they strive to provide for everyone regardless of circumstance, and how they intersect with government and organizations to obtain the services they need to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. You are an empathetic problem solver, and you believe in the power of both high-level thinking and on-the-ground elbow grease.

What can you do with this degree?

Many of our students go on to study at the graduate level (including our accelerated pathways in graduate programs such as Resilient and Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Food Systems, or Sustainability Management.). Others choose to start their fulfilling careers, landing positions such as Community Program Director and Community Mentor.

What does this program look like?

Whether on campus or online, this undergraduate program well-equips you with both a global perspective and the ability to make real-world impact. Develop a holistic understanding of human systems and ecology throughout the world. Analyze essential functions of communities at various levels of development and scales. Research, develop, and assess approaches for addressing these challenges. Learn to create sustainable, resilient, and socially just communities. Evaluate environmental, social, and economic challenges that communities face at multiple scales. Spotlight a particular community, study its physical and natural environments, values, practices, needs, and access points to relevant government and private enterprises whose activities affect its well-being. Your degree culminates in a Senior Capstone Project based around the real needs of a community of your choice. At every level, hone an invaluable skillset of problem-solving, effective communication, community engagement, and inclusive group facilitation.