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• Graduate Programs
  • Mission Statement
  • M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling
  • M.Ed. Community Development and Action
    • Program of Studies
    • Culminating Experience
    • CDA Practicum
    • CDA Faculty
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    • Peabody Career Center
    • CDA Student Handbook
    • Glossary of Acronyms & Terms
  • Ph.D. in Community Research and Action
• HOD Undergraduate Program
• Faculty and Staff
• Center for Community Studies
• Fieldschool in Intercultural Education
• Newbrough Graduate Award

Program of Studies - Community Development and Action

As a student of communities and human development, you are expected to make a strong commitment to your education by recognizing the intention behind program goals and making an effort to learn and grow beyond the minimum degree requirements. You are expected to commit to your best work and maintain your personal integrity as well as the integrity of the program.

Coursework entails a minimum of 30 hours of required and elective classes in content areas. Course selection may vary according to career objectives of the student and recommendations made by his or her major advisor.

Sample Program of Studies

Departmental Events & Meetings

Monthly CDA meetings are sponsored by CDA coordinators and attendance of full-time students is required. Meetings are scheduled on the second Thursday of every month. Meeting times will alternate between day and evening. Part-time students are required to attend every other monthly meeting (generally those scheduled in the evenings).

The director of graduate studies presides over monthly community studies meetings, which are held on the third Friday of the month. These are attended by graduate students, faculty and administrators who are interested in issues related to the graduate academic programs in the HOD department. CDA students are strongly encouraged to attend.

The graduate academic programs utilize several standing committees to carry out important work. One to two CDA students serve as representatives of the program on each of the committees: admissions, curriculum, minority recruitment, mediation, etc. Prompted in early fall by an email from the director of graduate studies or the graduate secretary, you may sign up to serve on one or more committees. In addition, a CDA representative is invited to attend faculty meetings and the executive committee meetings within the department. Most departmental meetings occur on Fridays.

The Center for Community Studies presents a colloquium series each semester. CDA students are invited both to present and attend colloquia. Attendance is highly valuable and strongly encouraged.

Peabody College and the HOD department offer various social opportunities. Each fall HOD forms a team of students and faculty to compete with other departments in the annual kickball tournament. Vanderbilt offers intramural leagues for many sports in which graduate students may participate. The CDA program sponsors the annual "NOT Bowling Alone" bowling night at the end of the spring semester. In addition, students across the department organize social events periodically throughout the semester.