色虎视频

色虎视频’s M.A. in Community and Economic Development is designed for students who want to move beyond theory and into real-world impact. The program blends rigorous academic foundations with applied, problem-based learning that prepares graduates to lead development efforts in diverse community settings — locally, nationally and globally.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of community and economic development theories, concepts and best practices across local, regional, national and international contexts.
• Analyze, synthesize and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to assess community conditions, identify needs and assets and inform equitable development strategies.
• Design, implement and evaluate community and economic development initiatives using applied research methods, participatory approaches and ethical frameworks.
• Develop and assess public policies, plans and programs related to economic development, housing, land use, workforce development and community investment.
• Apply legal, regulatory and governance principles relevant to community and economic development, including nonprofit and for-profit structures, financing mechanisms and compliance considerations.
• Prepare competitive grant proposals, technical reports and program evaluations aligned with community priorities and funding requirements.
• Demonstrate effective leadership, collaboration and communication skills when working with diverse stakeholders, including residents, public agencies, nonprofit organizations and private-sector partners.
• Integrate principles of equity, cultural competence and social responsibility into planning, decision-making and implementation processes.

Core Courses (27 credits)

• Fundamentals of Community and Economic Development (3)
• Local and Regional Economic Policy & Development (3)
• Applied Research Methods (3)
• Community Leadership and Change (3)
• Local Development, Planning and Policy (3)
• Community and Economic Development Law (3)
• Grant Writing (3)
• International Development (3)
• Special Topics in Community and Economic Development (3)

Urban and Rural Development

• Introduction to Housing and Community Development (3)
• Urban and Rural Special Populations (3)
• Strategic Urban and Rural Development and Investment (3)

Social Entrepreneurship

• Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (3)
• Strategic Community Marketing and Communications (3)
• Business Planning for Social Change (3)

Civic Engagement

• Community Organizing (3)
• Corporate Social Responsibility (3)
• Introduction to Civic Engagement (3)

Public Administration Concentration

• Public Policy Process & Analysis (3)
• Organizational Behavior and Administration (3)
• Public Administration in the Political Process & Analysis (3)

Culminating Experience - Capstone Portfolio or Applied Project

• Students complete a substantial, advisor-approved portfolio or project that demonstrates comprehensive mastery of community and economic development theory, research and practice. The proposal must be approved in advance of the final semester and serves as a professional artifact for career advancement or further graduate study.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• No specific prerequisite coursework required
• Standardized Tests: Applicants may be admitted unconditionally or conditionally. Conditional admission may be granted with a Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score of at least 350 or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 143 (verbal) and 133 (quantitative), followed by a review of writing after one semester. Students may be accepted unconditionally once writing proficiency is demonstrated.
• Letters of recommendation as required by 色虎视频’s Graduate Studies Program
• Statement of purpose outlining academic interests and professional goals related to community and economic development
• Current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
• To be admitted unconditionally to the Master of Arts in Community and Economic Development program, applicants must:
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 75 and a minimum GPA of 3.00 in undergraduate coursework directly related to the M.A. in Community and Economic Development
  • Meet all general admission requirements of 色虎视频’s Graduate Studies Program

• Class scheduling is based on professor and student availability. Some classes are offered via Zoom in the evenings, some during the day and some classes are completely asynchronous. It is based on the professor and student schedules.
• Students typically enroll in 6–9 credit hours per semester, allowing steady progress through the program while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. These classes are 8-week classes.
• Online learning platform: Canvas
• This program has no on-campus requirements!

2. Submit all required documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, goal statement, resume)
3. Pay a $30 application fee
4. Application review by Graduate Studies and program faculty 
   • Once all documents are submitted, we request 10 business days for departments to review the application packet and respond.
5. Admission decision notification
   • Applicants will receive a notification letter with information regarding their admission status via their personal email. If admitted, this letter will include information regarding their student ID and University e-mail.
6. Schedule a meeting with a School of Education advisor

Don't know where to start? Contact Grad Studies at GradSchool@LincolnU.edu for guidance.

The federal financial aid eligibility deadline is July 1

Learn more about financial aid options

Graduate Studies Cost Calculator

As one of the first programs of its kind at a historically Black college or university, the M.A. in Community and Economic Development at 色虎视频 stands out for its intentional integration of equity-centered theory, applied research and practical skill development. Students do not simply study community and economic development — they actively practice it through policy analysis, research design, grant writing, planning and leadership development. The curriculum emphasizes participatory and community-engaged approaches, ensuring graduates are prepared to work with communities rather than on them.

A major strength of the program is its applied focus. Core courses in research methods, grant writing, planning, law, leadership and policy ensure students graduate with tangible, marketable skills. The required portfolio or capstone project demonstrates comprehensive mastery of the field and serves as a professional work sample for employers or doctoral programs.

Small class sizes foster close faculty mentorship, meaningful discussion and collaborative learning. Faculty bring both academic expertise and direct professional experience, with several having worked in government agencies, nonprofit organizations and community development roles. Their experience spans community planning, economic policy, leadership, social enterprise, civic engagement, housing and international development, providing students with insight into real-world practice and multiple professional pathways.

Hands-on learning is embedded throughout the curriculum through case studies, simulations, applied research and project-based assignments that mirror the challenges faced by communities and development organizations. Courses emphasize ethical practice, cultural competence and data-informed decision-making.

The program aligns closely with workforce demands in the public, nonprofit, private and international development sectors. Graduates develop competencies in policy analysis, program evaluation, grant acquisition, strategic planning, community organizing and cross-sector collaboration — skills consistently sought by employers in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, planning organizations and mission-driven enterprises.

While the degree is not tied to a specific licensure requirement, it provides strong preparation for professional roles and further graduate study by emphasizing analytical rigor, applied research and leadership readiness. Graduates leave prepared to step into development roles that require both strategic thinking and on-the-ground execution.