Master of Science in Global Community Development

Program Information

If you have a strong interest in global mission work—such as global policy and service, construction management, Christian witness, entrepreneurship, music, arts, nursing, health, and wellness—this program is for you!

Southern’s Global Community Development program will help develop your specific calling for mission service and for helping others live an abundant life. Learn to lead community-based global projects that focus on building sustainable relationships. Experience a mutual sharing of information, resources, and visioning between indigenous and non- indigenous groups and working in at-risk communities. Discover how to train and support local groups to plan, implement, and assess the effectiveness of their own projects involving micro-finance, agriculture, literacy and health education, environmental preservation, and artisan handicrafts, among others.

The program’s strong research component and hands-on experience will make you very attractive to diverse organizations, or prepare you to work with your own self-supporting ministry programs.

How to Plan

This degree typically takes five semesters for full-time study, although part- time options are available. You may start the program in the fall, winter, or summer.

The first and last semesters include online courses designed to teach you practical proficiencies, such as fund-raising and field-based research, among other key professional skills. The second semester takes you to a global project field service site (currently, Tanzania) for hands-on learning and the further development of community development skills. You will spend one 16-week semester working with an indigenous people group.

The third and fourth semesters are designated for your internship in a carefully selected project site to further solidify your applied learning outcomes. You can opt to do your internship practice at your place of employment or at a non-governmental organization like World Vision International. This expanded field time will allow you to put your new practice skills to the test and to expand your career opportunities.