Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Affairs, with a Concentration in Community Development
The Ph.D. is a 66-credit program that centers the study of public affairs and community development at the intersection of increasingly complex economic, political, legal, and social systems. The curriculum focuses primarily on the United States, but within a global context for studying the issues facing local communities and how they can thrive.
We emphasize social justice and a firm grounding in applied social science research methodologies, leading to doctoral degree with significant research skills and policy expertise.
The required
course of study is designed to promote proficiency in such diverse areas as the history of community development, the philosophical underpinnings of social science, the foundations of policy analysis, and the complexity of market-state relations. A rigorous set of
requirements cultivates keen research skills that will prepare students to
compete successfully for careers in academia, as well as in other professional policy-related fields. The elective courses further expand the interdisciplinary aspect of the
program while also providing students with the opportunity to tailor the
program to their particular research and professional interests.
The deadline for application to the doctoral program is January 10.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Public Affairs, with a Concentration in Community Development
The M.S. is a 30-credit terminal degree, and also, for students interested in continuing their graduate education at the doctoral level, a "feeder" into our Ph.D. program. The core course requirements in both programs overlap, with M.S. students completing six of the eight core courses required in the doctoral program as part of their course of study. M.S. students take a Practicum or practical experience course in their last semester and complete a project that requires them to apply their learning to a real-world community development problem.
The deadline for application to the M.S. program is March 1.
Graduate School-Camden 
