Online Local Regional Economic Development Degree :: Accredited Universities

Here at Dundee, we offer postgraduate MSc degree programmes which provide the educational preparation required for individuals intending to pursue professional careers in aspects of spatial planning and related disciplines.

This distance learning programme offers a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc degree in Local and Regional Economic Development.

This distance learning course has been designed to enhance candidate's career prospects in the areas of spatial planning and related disciplines.

Entry Requirements

EU and International students visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country.

An appropriate university degree or relevant work experience.

English Language Requirement:
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IELTS minimum overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in the writing component and a minimum of 5.5 in the other 3 components.

Other Fees

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This part-time, distance learning programme allows a fluid learning experience, without the need to take substantial time away from employment or frequent travel. A flexible, modular approach allows Coventry University and the other participating universities to focus on their strengths, which gives the LRED programme an additional advantage over programmes based at a single institution. The programme will provide students with skills and knowledge of the theory and practice of economic development.

Entry Requirements

An appropriate university degree or relevant work experience.

If the first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you have a good command of the English language (at least a level of 6.5 LETS).

Other Fees

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Gain the skills needed to address the social, environmental, and economic issues in communities, towns, small cities, and urban neighborhoods. Community and economic development professionals help people build community capacity; develop sustainable communities; enhance the local economy, infrastructure, and services; and work with the community members to build shared visions of the future.

With Penn State’s online MPS in community and economic development, you can gain the knowledge you need to navigate the complexities of communities and community organizations and inspire positive changes on a local, regional, and national level.

Gain Expertise and Proficiency
This Penn State World Campus online program enables you to more effectively implement community and economic development by building on the knowledge and skills you need to assist regions, communities, and community organizations with:

- making effective and informed decisions
- retaining jobs, creating and expanding job opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship
- encouraging effective citizen participation and involvement
- understanding community institutions and processes that affect development and well-being
- including diverse public, private, and nonprofit interests in local and regional decision making and capacity building
- implementing land-use decisions and sustainable development
- understanding the causes and consequences of economic, social, and population changes
- using research and information to understand and shape economic and social change in communities and regions
- adapting programs and practices to fit local situations and needs

Why a Master's Degree Online at Penn State

Unique Perspectives — This 30-credit interdisciplinary master of professional studies program draws on the community and economic development expertise of faculty in Penn State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. It was developed in response to a request from community development professionals for advanced training in theory, practice, and techniques in a community setting.

Stepping Stones — The 15-credit community and economic development graduate certificate program provides graduate-level courses if you are an entry or midcareer professional who wishes to expand your abilities to positively influence the quality-of-life and development issues in urban neighborhoods, towns, small cities, and rural regions. The certificate program can also meet your needs if you are considering a career in community and economic development and want to find out if this profession is right for you. The credits you earn in the graduate certificate program can be applied to the Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development.

Who Should Apply?

If you are a professional in community and economic development, or if you work with, or in, nonprofit organizations or government agencies, the MPS in community and economic development offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills. The program is also appropriate if you are new to community and economic development and wish to learn about community and economic development issues and practices in towns, small cities, neighborhoods, and rural regions.

This program is targeted to those who work with and/or volunteer in neighborhoods, towns, small cities, and rural regions. Among the professionals who could benefit from this program are:

- community development directors
- county administrators, professional staff, and local government managers
- elected officials
- nonprofit organization professionals
- local government planners
- adult educators
- economic development professionals
- cooperative extension director or educators
- members of a planning commissions or related authorities, boards, or commissions
- citizens interested in government involvement and civic affairs
- students in related graduate programs

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Community and economic development graduates often go
on to work for state and local governments, industrial development authorities, chambers of commerce, major corporations, utilities, nongovernmental organizations, or consulting firms as:

directors
community service coordinators
extension educators
development specialists
research and project managers

Entry Requirements

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

International applicants
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All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) and attainment of a grade of B or higher. The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Other Fees

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Fundamental change often happens at the local level. Communities thrive when local decision-makers and activists can creatively implement solutions for the social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges the community faces. The Master’s in Community Development program opens up the opportunity to study with leading educators and researchers representing diverse fields including community and regional planning, architecture, sociology, Native American studies, economics and natural resources. See the whole picture and sharpen your ability to make democratic and socially conscious decisions.
For the professional as well as the practitioner who desires to contribute to positive change in their communities and regions, our program can equip you with the tools and educational experience to be more effective. Online delivery and modular scheduling allows you to fit it into your own schedule around your professional career and personal responsibilities. Yet, you will still capture the richness of interacting and networking with other students in this electronic learning community.

You will have the opportunity to select a specialized emphasis of study in one of four areas. Each of these study areas has three separate capstone options—a thesis, practicum or additional elective courses.

Working with Native Communities
Building Economic Capacity
Natural Resource Management
Non-Profit Management

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or should anticipate completion of a bachelor's degree before enrollment in the graduate program.

International applicants
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For those whose English is not a primary language , they should have

TOEFL: required score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 79-80 Internet-based

IELTS: 6.0

Other Fees

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Shaped by major food industry employers, the degree develops you for key roles in quality and technical management within the food sector helping the industry meet the demand for highly skilled technicians and managers.

You will gain expert knowledge of food factory processing and automation, quality assurance and new product development and manufacturing management techniques, with an emphasis on vocational learning which fits in to the busy and ever-changing environment of this sector.

The course focuses on the food supply chain, from a global, regional and local perspective. You will consider the impact of economic and environmental drivers on food policy and markets - including waste management, energy efficiency, food quality and food safety, underpinned by an innovative science-based analytical and predictive approach to food production.

The BSc (Hons) can be taken as a top-up to the Foundation Degree in Food Manufacture - following a short bridging programme - or a relevant HND. The entire part-time option from Certificate level, through Diploma and up to BSc (Hons) will take approximately four and a half years to complete.

This unique course will provide you with expertise in food manufacturing, business management, new product development and packaging design, with an emphasis on developing your project management skills and creative thinking.

The concept of the course centres on the food supply chain, and whilst focusing on a global perspective, also considers regional and local supply. An integral part of this concept is raising awareness of the individual’s role within the supply chain. You will consider the impact of economic and environmental drivers on food policy and markets, which will naturally encompass studies on waste management, energy efficiency, food quality and food safety, underpinned by an innovative science-based analytical and predictive approach to food production.

You will study a range of subjects which blend science, technology, management and commodity knowledge. The management modules will also provide you with a strategic overview of the industry, drawing on current legislation and its impact on the industry and society, as well as develop your skills in becoming an effective manager, giving you the tools to control manufacturing performance.

The food industry is changing rapidly driven by increased competition, both within the UK and abroad, new legislation and need to meet the increasingly complex demands of consumers. The need to increase productivity and market share has resulted in the rapid development of sophisticated processing technologies in food manufacture and a movement towards more complicated supply and distribution chain throughout the world.

Entry Requirements

Applications seeking direct admission to the BSc (Hons) must satisfy the University that they are competent in the English language and hold a minimum of 260 UCAS points. This may include A levels (including one or more science subject), a Foundation degree, BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma, Advanced Apprenticeship in Food Manufacturing or a related subject.

Vocational or professional qualifications will be considered. Ideally candidates will have been employed in a managerial or supervisory role in the food manufacture or related industry.

Other Fees

Tuition fee varies for every year

Year 1,2,3 - £4000

Year 4 - £2000

Year 5 - £1000

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