Community Resources and Development (Sustainable Communities), MS
Build sustainable and resilient communities where you'll balance quality of life, environmental protection and responsible growth. You'll learn to solve complex community challenges with research and evidence-based decision-making, becoming a leader who promotes lasting community resilience.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
36 credit hours
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
Program description
In the Master of Science program in community resources and development with a concentration in sustainable communities, you prepare to address complex community challenges through strategic problem-solving and research. You strengthen your leadership skills while examining sustainability in tourism, parks and recreation management, and nonprofit organizations.
The curriculum integrates interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability and community development, emphasizing how environmental, social and policy factors intersect to shape quality of life. Faculty mentors guide you in analyzing and addressing these challenges to develop practical solutions that promote resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities.
You complete either a thesis or an applied project tailored to your professional and academic goals.
Why specialize in sustainable communities at ASU?
This concentration connects sustainability with community development, so you look beyond environmental issues alone. You'll work with a community solution analysis framework that weighs policy, regulatory and relationship factors together. This approach helps you develop practical answers to challenges that rarely have a single cause.
If you're a high-achieving student, an accelerated option lets you share undergraduate and graduate coursework and earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years, taught by respected ASU faculty.
Additional details
Through the School of Community Resources and Development, you can join CRD Grads, a graduate student organization focused on professional development, networking and discussion of community development and nonprofit leadership. School-sponsored events, community partnerships and time with faculty members and practitioners give you ways to build professional connections and learn about careers in the field.
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.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (CRD 593)
Required Core (15 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Electives (3 or 9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The thesis option is a research-oriented program and is recommended for students who plan to continue graduate studies beyond the master's degree. These students complete an advanced inquiry course and three credit hours of elective coursework. The thesis option must be defended in an oral examination before a supervisory committee of at least three faculty members, one of whom resides in another department. The applied project is intended for students who seek additional knowledge and expertise relevant to professional career development. These students complete CRD 530 as part of their core coursework and nine credit hours of electives.
CRD 500 Research Methods (3)
CRD 502 Statistical and Data Analysis (3)
CRD 530 Community Services Management (3) or advanced inquiry course (3)
CRD 552 Critical Issues (3)
CRD 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development (3)
CRD 610 Sustainable Communities (3)
NLM 562 Social Entrepreneurship (3) or
NLM 572 Community and Social Innovations (3)
CRD 593 Applied Project (6) or
CRD 599 Thesis (6)
Students may select a thesis or applied project. All students receive advising and direction from an assigned faculty member.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Analyze critical topics and issues pertinent to sustainable communities, such as creative problem-solving, strategic planning and volunteer management.
- Relate their individual strengths to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and data analysis within the context of sustainable communities.
- Apply the principles and practices of community development to address the social, economic, environmental and cultural challenges of diverse communities.
Analyze critical topics and issues pertinent to sustainable communities, such as creative problem-solving, strategic planning and volunteer management.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 are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum 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 Only complete application files are reviewed. Applicants who have not completed undergraduate work in a related discipline must take six credit hours of coursework in addition to the master's degree requirements; this additional coursework may be taken in conjunction with master's-level classes.
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 | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
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 sustainable communities concentration prepares you for
Graduates pursue leadership and policy roles in public, nonprofit and community organizations. They are well prepared to address sustainability challenges through program management, policy design and community development initiatives.
Career paths include roles such as:
- community services officer
- nonprofit or nongovernmental organization officer
- parks and recreation officer
- sustainability coordinator
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.
