Community Resources and Development, PhD
Prepare to become a scholar, researcher and leader who advances knowledge and practice in the field of community development. You build your expertise through research, teaching and applied fieldwork, positioning you to advance the discipline.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Community Resources and Development, PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in community resources and development prepares you to become a scholar and leader who advances knowledge and practice in community development. The program emphasizes creating healthy, sustainable and equitable communities through interdisciplinary research, teaching and collaboration.
You pursue advanced study in areas such as nonprofit leadership and management, parks and recreation, tourism development and community development studies. The curriculum provides rigorous training in theory, research design and statistical analysis. Working closely with faculty across ASU, you gain diverse perspectives on the social, economic and environmental factors that shape communities.
Through fieldwork and applied research, you translate theory into practice, developing the expertise to teach, conduct high-level research, and influence policy and organizational decision-making in ways that promote community and societal well-being.
Why study community resources and development at ASU?
Advance within a cohort-based structure backed by dedicated faculty mentorship and supervisory committees that support you throughout the program.
Additional details
Connect with fellow graduate students through CRD Grads, the student organization within the School of Community Resources and Development that promotes professional development, networking and discussion of issues tied to community development and nonprofit leadership. School-sponsored events, community partnerships and interactions with faculty members and practitioners help you build professional connections for your career.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (24 credit hours) Electives or Research (48 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curricular Information All students are advised as a cohort initially by the doctoral program director. Students are required to take 24 credit hours of core coursework; 15 are with the cohort during the first year, and six are with the cohort during the second year. Students are assigned an individual advisor or mentor at the end of the first year of study. A supervisory committee is also formed at the end of the first year that reflects the interests of the student and faculty. This is a four-year program. Each student develops a plan of study in consultation with the doctoral program coordinator, advisor and supervisory committee. Students complete elective coursework, including courses from contributing disciplines, selected in consultation with their advisor to foster the transdisciplinary nature of the degree program. Students also complete at least six credit hours of CRD 792 Research and 12 credit hours of CRD 799 Dissertation. When the student has completed the majority of coursework but has not yet started dissertation research, they must complete a written examination followed by an oral examination. These examinations must be completed within five years of admission.
CRD 502 Statistical and Data Analysis (3)
CRD 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development (3)
CRD 610 Sustainable Communities (3)
CRD 620 Community Research Methods (3)
CRD 640 Research Seminar in Community Resources and Development I (3)
CRD 650 Research Seminar II (3)
CRD 683 Fieldwork (3)
advanced statistics or methods (3)
CRD 799 Dissertation (12)
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree can be used for this degree.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Conduct research that contributes to community development with regard to parks, recreation, tourism, nonprofit management and community studies.
- Develop proficiency in integrating knowledge in their primary area of study related to community resources and development.
- Execute a comprehensive and original research project, resulting in a high-quality dissertation that demonstrates their ability to contribute significantly to their own fields such as tourism, parks and recreation, sustainable communities, or nonprofit organizations and NGOs.
Conduct research that contributes to community development with regard to parks, recreation, tourism, nonprofit management and community studies.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants must have earned a master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information International applicants are also required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and a financial guarantee statement. The minimum TOEFL iBT® score is 4, or 80 (taken at at testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026. The minimum IELTS requirement is an overall band score of 6.5 (no individual band below a 6.0). The TOEFL or IELTS must have been taken within the last two years. The research statement should be sufficiently detailed to indicate compatibility with the educational objectives and capabilities of the doctoral program (about three pages, single spaced). Applicants should explain their research interests and indicate the faculty member with whom they would like to work. Students should review faculty profiles to learn their research expertise. All students are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member before applying. Finalists participate in an interview via Zoom, and this video is shared with a faculty committee. Students should also contact faculty members with similar interests to discuss their fit with the program. The statement should make it clear why the applicant has chosen to pursue a doctorate in community resources and development, and how this program will help them achieve their career goals. The recommendation letters may be a mix of academic and professional references; each must address the applicant's capacity to successfully complete the program. Applicants are expected to have a master's degree from an accredited institution and to have completed a master's degree-level research methods and statistics class (or classes). If additional community resource and development-related coursework at the master's degree level is needed, appropriate classes are suggested. The program is designed as a full-time, research-intensive program. Students are admitted once a year as a cohort and are generally expected to complete the degree in three to four years. A small number of part-time students on a longer completion time frame may be admitted when space is available. The school does not provide funding for part-time students. Applications are reviewed by the admission committee, and recommendations for admission are then made by the graduate program director to the dean of the Graduate College.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 02/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this community resources and development doctoral degree prepares you for
Graduates are prepared for research-oriented and leadership careers in higher education, government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Career paths include positions such as university professor, think tank researcher, independent scholar, consultant, foundation officer, government officer and corporate social responsibility officer.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Community Resources and Development
|
UCENT 550
scrd@asu.edu
602-496-0182
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
