Track Overview
The Community Development & Planning Track of the MS in Sustainability program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to synthesize social, political, and economic factors that influence the growth and development of sustainable communities. Courses taught by our faculty in this track help students become active players in fostering communities that work better and ensure overall well-being. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, students will learn to navigate diverse stakeholder perspectives and interests, promote their collaboration, and build consensus. Upon graduation, students can apply these skills in government or community-based organizations that can influence evidence-based policies and programs that support social equity, reduce marginalization, and create opportunities for growth.
Affiliated Faculty
Jelili Adebiyi
Assistant Professor
jadebiyi@nmu.edu 906-227-2634Office Location:
3003 Weston Hall
Weronika Kusek
Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director
wkusek@nmu.edu 906-227-2989Office Location:
3111 Weston Hall
Sarah Mittlefehldt
Professor
smittlef@nmu.edu 906-227-1442Office Location:
3005 Weston Hall
Ryan Stock
Assistant Professor
rystock@nmu.edu 906-227-2616Office Location:
3115 Weston Hall
MS in Sustainability - Community Development & Planning Track Requirements
Required courses:
- GC 501 - Seminar in Sustainability 4 credits
- GC 502 - Proposal Design and Writing 4 credits
and 4 credits of approved electives
Track Requirements:
Students will take GC 585 and will choose 4 credits of approved GC course and 8 credits of approved non-GC courses.
Community Development and Planning GC Credits
Take GC 585 and 4 credits of approved GC courses
- GC 585 - Community Planning Credits: 4
- GC 515 - Geographic Information Systems 4 credits
- GC 524 - Environmental Justice Credits: 4
- GC 531 - Landscape Dynamics and Analysis Credits: 4
or GC 595 Credits / Units: 2-4
Community Development and Planning non-GC Credits
Choose 8 credits from approved non-GC courses
- BUS 535 - Sustainable Business Strategy Course Credits: 3
- EN 525 - Topics in Literature and the Environment Credits: 4
- PA 510 - State and Local Government Credits: 4
- PA 519 - Municipal Management Credits: 2
- PA 521 - Grant Writing for Public Administrators Credits: 2
- PA 523 - Public Budget Management Credits: 4
- PA 526 - HRM in Public and Nonprofit Management Credits: 4
- PA 562 - Program Evaluation for Public and Nonprofit Agencies Credits: 2
- RE 510 - Sustainability in Outdoor Recreation Credits: 3
- RE 531 - Human Health and Outdoor Recreation Credits: 3
- SW 521 - Leadership in Communities and Organizations Credits: 3
Capstone or Thesis 4 Credits
Choose either to complete Capstone (GC 591) or Thesis (GC 599).
