MSc in Community Development in Davis United States | University of California Davis

To obtain an MS in Community Development, students need to complete 51 quarter units for the thesis track or 55 quarter units for the exam track through graded coursework. Many also enroll in non-graded units for independent study and thesis/exam work. Most students finish the program within two years. What students value most about UC Davis's Community Development program is its adaptable structure, which supports diverse interests and specializations. The curriculum includes a mandatory 20-unit core with flexible options, supplemented by Community and Regional Development courses and offerings from other departments. This framework enables students – with faculty guidance – to create customized study plans aligned with their professional goals.

The program equips graduates for roles in nonprofit and government sectors as administrators, planners, researchers, and technical specialists. Students develop expertise in community analysis, urban planning, economic development, nonprofit leadership, and community-based research methods – essential skills for careers in human services and community development as administrators, planners, researchers, and technical professionals.