Community Development Planning, MCDP
Master of Community Development Planning, Degree Program Requirements
The degree requires a minimum of 37 semester credit hours. The core of the program consists of 25 credit hours of courses required of all students. A list of pre-approved courses is provided, from which the student may select the remaining 12 credit hours. Only 6 credit hours of alternative graduate courses may be selected from offerings of other degree programs on campus, with departmental approval.
| Major Requirements | 19 | |
Select courses from the following: | ||
| Prof Employmnt Dev-Soft Skills | ||
| Introduction to Community Development | ||
| Community Dev Studio | ||
| Demography and GIS | ||
| Community Management and Leadership | ||
| Comprehensive Project Studio | ||
| Land Development and Use Control Strategies | ||
| Electives | 18 | |
Select classes from the following: | ||
| Community Develpment Financing | ||
| Cultural Heritage Preservation | ||
| Historic Preservation | ||
| Introduction to Community Leadership 2 | ||
| Negotiation, Mediation and Facilitation | ||
| Community Political Structure | ||
| Community Physical Structure | ||
| Grant Development | ||
| Land Development and Planning in Declining Communities 2 | ||
| International Community Development Policies and Practices | ||
| Principles of Real Estate I | ||
| Principle of Real Estate II | ||
| Law of Agency | ||
| Law of Contract | ||
| Promulgated Contract Forms | ||
| Real Estate Finance | ||
| Internship 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 37 | |
Master of Community Development, Degree Sequence
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CODE 5301 | 3 | CODE 5305 | 3 | Elective IV | 3 |
| CODE 5308 | 3 | CODE 5321 | 3 | Elective V | 3 |
| Elective I | 3 | CODE 5334 | 3 | ||
| Elective II | 3 | Elective III | 3 | ||
| Total | 12 | Total | 12 | Total | 6 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||||
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours |
| CODE 5307 | 3 |
| Elective IV | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
| Total Hours: 6 | |
| Name | Unit |
|---|---|
| Total Semester Credit Hours: 36 |
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30TX Plan, include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas, are valued by employers, and can be either primary or complementary to a major. These skills are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.
MCD Community Development
Degree Skills
Sustainable Development and Communication Skills
- Community Engagement Strategies: Develop and implement inclusive strategies to involve community members in the planning process, ensuring that development aligns with local needs and sustainable goals.
- Public Relations and Outreach: Effectively communicate planning initiatives to a diverse audience, fostering transparency and building trust through clear and engaging messaging.
Project Management in Real Estate, Finance, and Community Projects
- Budgeting and Financial Analysis: Manage financial aspects of urban development projects, including budgeting, financial forecasting, and funding acquisition.
- Timeline Development and Scheduling: Organize and manage project timelines to ensure timely completion of urban planning initiatives.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify and mitigate risks associated with urban development, ensuring sustainable and resilient community growth.
Understanding of Community Engagement Research Principles
- Participatory Research Methods: Utilize community-based participatory research to ensure that development projects are both relevant and beneficial to community members.
- Data Interpretation and Application: Translate complex data into actionable insights to guide sustainable urban development.
Concentration Skills
- Feasibility Studies and Applied Research:
- Market Analysis: Analyze market trends to assess the viability of development projects within a sustainable urban framework.
- Environmental Impact Assessments: Conduct comprehensive environmental impact studies to ensure development projects meet sustainability criteria.
- Policy Evaluation: Critique and influence urban planning policies to foster sustainable development practices.
Grant Writing and Management
- Proposal Development: Craft effective grant proposals that align with both community needs and sustainable development goals.
- Fund Allocation and Reporting: Manage resources efficiently, ensuring accountability and alignment with project objectives.
Co-curricular and Extracurricular Skills
- Community Engagement and Projects:
- Leadership Coordination: Lead community planning initiatives, ensuring effective team collaboration and community involvement.
- Public Speaking and Presentation: Master the art of public speaking to persuasively communicate urban planning projects and their benefits to the community and stakeholders.
Data-Driven Outcomes
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Proficiency: Apply GIS technology to analyze spatial data and enhance decision-making in urban planning.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis: Utilize both statistical and thematic analysis methods to inform and guide urban development.
Additional Marketable Skills
- Urban Design and Land-Use Planning:
- Site Planning: Design sustainable urban layouts that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
- Zoning and Land-Use Regulation: Apply zoning laws and regulations to promote sustainable urban growth and development.
Real Estate Development and Master Planning
- Property Development Processes: Oversee the complete lifecycle of real estate development, from initial concept through to completion.
- Long-Range Planning: Develop comprehensive master plans that guide the strategic growth of communities, emphasizing sustainability and resilience.
Technical Proficiencies
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Utilize CAD software to create detailed and precise designs for urban projects.
- Adobe Creative Suite: Employ advanced graphic design tools to visually represent planning concepts and projects.
Soft Skills
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Analyze complex urban issues and devise innovative solutions that support sustainable development.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Work collaboratively across disciplines to achieve comprehensive and sustainable urban solutions.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Respond effectively to changing urban dynamics and emerging planning challenges.
These skills ensure that graduates of the MCDP program are equipped to meet the complex demands of modern urban planning and development, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, community engagement, and the application of best practices in design and policy formulation.