2020-73

Motion Introduced by:  Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee

Date of First Reading:    March 30, 2020

Date of Second Reading: April 27, 2020

Title of Motion: Request from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions – for the establishment of a graduate degree – MPS in Community Development Practice

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   

Rationale: The proposed Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Community Development Practice will provide students with training in approaches to developing healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities. Students will receive training in both community development theories and applied research techniques. The program features a strong elective component for students to establish an emphasis on topics such as housing and economic development, municipal and tribal planning, law, education, social and environmental justice, health, and sustainability, drawing from the extensive expertise of ASU faculty. However, perhaps more importantly, this will be one of the first Community Development professional degrees at the graduate level to offer a solid set of core competencies around community building, development practices, and the facilitation of democratic and cross-sector collaboration toward social innovation and community solutions. Graduates of the proposed MPS in Community Development Practice will be highly competitive for careers in community development such as those in government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, as well as for doctoral programs in community development, urban studies, public policy, and related fields.