Community Development

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The core and distribution requirements for a major in community development are those listed for a baccalaureate degree , with the exception that a course in finance, political studies, psychology or sociology is required to fulfill the social science distribution requirement. ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics covers some unique content as a four hour class and must be completed at Covenant unless otherwise approved. Community Development electives may also count for minors in other departments. MAT 141 College Algebra or a math placement level of 3 is a prerequisite for ECO 202 .

Requirements for Major

Core Curriculum Requirements 58 hour(s).
Electives 20-22 hour(s).

Major and Supporting Course Requirements

CDV 210 Theory of Community Development 3 hour(s).
CDV 300 Living and Working in a Multicultural Context 3 hour(s).
CDV 310 Community Development Principles and Issues 3 hour(s).
CDV 461 Social Science Research Methods I 2 hour(s).
CDV 462 Social Science Research Methods II 2 hour(s).
CDV 480 Research Internship in Community Development 3 to 12 hour(s).
CDV 490 Senior Seminar in Community Development 3 hour(s).
CDV 492 Capstone Project in Community Development 2 hour(s).
ECO 201 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 hour(s).
ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics 4 hour(s).
ECO 410 Economic Development in the Majority World 3 hour(s).
or ECO 420 U.S. Urban Poverty 3 hour(s).
HIS 328 Developing World Since 1945 3 hour(s).
or HIS 349 American Urban History 3 hour(s).
or HIS 352 History and Culture of African Americans since 1865 3 hour(s).
STA 252 Elementary Statistics: Concepts and Methods 3 hour(s).
or STA 253 Statistics for Decision Making 3 hour(s).
or STA 254 Statistics for the Social Sciences 4 hour(s).

Community Development Application Courses: 9 hours

Take at least 2 of the following courses:
CDV 343 U.S. Economic Development Interventions 3 hour(s).
CDV 345 Agricultural Development 3 hour(s).
CDV 350 Introduction to Social Innovation 4 hour(s).
ECO 348 Microfinance 3 hour(s).
May take 1 of the following courses:
CDV 330 Global Trends in Health 2 hour(s).
CDV 335 Global Epidemics and Emerging Diseases 3 hour(s).
CDV 390 Special Topics 1 to 3 hour(s).

Total hours for the major: 46-48

Total degree hours: 126

Research Internships Process

All community development students are required to complete a research internship which normally takes place after the student’s junior year, during the summer and/or the first semester of the senior year. Department faculty work with students and partner organizations in the field to design, support, and evaluate these research internships. Internships may be taken for 3-6 credits for a 12-week internship and 3-12 credits for a 24-week internship, but only three credits may be used towards meeting the requirements for the major, any additional credits serving as electives towards graduation. The internship must occur in an intercultural setting for it to meet the COR 337 Intercultural Experience requirement and the student should register for COR 337 the same semester they register for CDV 480 .

The internship placement process includes a series of personality, psychological, and physical assessments conducted by staff of the Priesthill Center and a local healthcare provider that works with the department. These assessments enable the department to identify the best possible placement for each student. Students are charged non-refundable intern placement fees totaling a maximum of $400 as assessments occur throughout sophomore and junior years prior to the internship. Additional costs will be incurred if students miss scheduled appointments. Students are also required to get a nation-wide background check, currently $37, at their expense following instructions provided by the department.

CDV interns must be in good academic standing. If a student exhibits behavioral, emotional, spiritual, social, or physical struggles inconsistent with an intensive cross-cultural internship, the department can determine the student is no longer suitable for the internship. Students should be aware that some internship hosts require a minimum institutional GPA of 2.75.