Community Development and Action (M.Ed.)

Lead social change and transform the world.

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Master’s in Community Development and Action (M.Ed.)

Join students from around the world committed to learning how to create positive, community-level change in a collaborative and participatory way. 

The master's degree in Community Development and Action (CDA) combines theory, research, and practice to equip you to become a change agent working with organizations and communities to support positive human development and remove barriers to human thriving.

You can earn a dual degree, combining your studies to earn a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) or Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in the Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Recent CDA graduates work in diverse organizational settings, including:

  • Advocacy and Outreach Lead, Clean Virginia
  • Coordinator of Government and External Affairs, Tennessee Disability Coalition
  • Founder and CIO, Fathom PBC
  • Senior Manager of Business Development, Project Return
  • Strategy Analyst, ByteDance 
  • Impact and Evaluation Manager, Just Transition Fund
  • Program Coordinator, Tennessee Fair Housing Council
Keith Barnes

"To be truly effective in this kind of work, to be a change agent, to make the world a better place, you've got to be flexible."

Keith Barnes, M.Ed., Associate Director, Workforce & Education, The Family Collective, United Way of Nashville

Master’s Degree in Community Development Program Facts

Program Director: David Carlone
Admissions Coordinator: Tonya Brown
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 30

Application Dates

  • Application Deadline 1

    January 3

  • Application Deadline 2

    February 3

  • Rolling Admissions

    After February 3*

    *Applications received after the Feb 3 second deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted as space and funds allow.

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Community Development and Action Degree Program Curriculum

The master's degree in Community Action and Development includes 30 credit hours of core and elective classes. It is designed to be completed in two years. 

Coursework

  • Sample Program of Studies

    Sample Program of Studies

    The following represents a sample of what the two-year program may entail. You'll choose specific courses based on your career objectives, with recommendations from your advisor.

    FALL - YEAR ONE

    • Professional Seminar - Becoming a Change Agent*
    • Community Inquiry*
    • Community Development Theory*

    SPRING - YEAR ONE

    • Nonprofit Management
    • Pre-Practicum*
    • Community Intervention and Change

    FALL - YEAR TWO

    • Theories of Inequality
    • Program Evaluation

    SPRING - YEAR TWO

    • Community Organizing
    • Global Dimensions of Community Development

    *Denotes required course

    In addition to the required community development and community action coursework and practicum, CDA learners complete one of the following assessment options:
    • Thesis - An experience in independent scholarly research that contributes to the field of community development research.
    • Learning Community Development Project - An opportunity to integrate core program philosophy, coursework, and field experience to inform community development practice.
  • Practicum

    The community development and action degree practicum occurs over the course of your two-year degree. Although the timeline varies from student to student, the basic structure for practicum work includes the following:

    • First semester: Enroll in HOD 6100: Becoming an Agent of Change to discuss critical skills, knowledge, and approaches that align with individual practice goals. Connect with change initiatives happening in the department and the broader Nashville community.
    • Second semester: Enroll in HOD 6600: Pre-Practicum where students investigate Nashville's organizational landscape around various social justice issues. Research practicum placement sites, make initial contact with practicum organizations, and design practicum work using an action research cycle.
    • Summer and/or third semester: Complete all remaining practicum hours. Many students use their practicum work as the basis for their thesis or project.

    Practicum placements occur in a broad variety of settings in Nashville and beyond. A small sample of practicum organizations includes the following:

    • Community Food Advocates
    • The Contributor
    • Magdalene and Thistle Farms
    • Monroe Harding
    • Nashville Opera Association
    • Project Return
    • Safe Haven Family Shelter
    • Tennessee Environmental Council
    • Tennessee Voices for Children
    • Worker's Dignity

Selected Faculty Research

Velma McBride Murry

Velma McBride Murry, University Professor of Human and Organizational Development

Professor Murray conducts research on African-American parents and youth to identify proximal, malleable protective factors that deter emotional problems and risk engagement.

Marybeth Shinn

Marybeth Shinn, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Human, Organizational and Community Development

Professor Shinn's research focuses on how to prevent and end homelessness and create opportunities for groups that face social exclusion.

Faculty

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