M.A. in Community Development and Planning
Clark’s master’s in Community Development and Planning trains activists, community developers and scholar-practitioners to take on major challenges facing urban areas in the United States and around the world. You learn to meet these challenges by gaining a thorough understanding of the complex social, economic and political forces that shape communities—and by actively working to positively influence them.
In this program, offered through Clark's International Development, Community and Environment Department (IDCE), you learn new knowledge, innovative processes, and tools and alternative strategies in order to advance your career, along with your ideals.
- Work alongside world-class researchers and community partners
- Work opportunities in communities in small, midsize and large cities
- Ranked 14th in the nation by Planetizen for Urban Planning Programs (without a Ph.D. Program)
- Learning within the context of our renowned International Development, Community and Environment Department
- A curriculum based on your interests
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Create an account on the online application portal to complete your Clark Graduate School Application and upload any additional credentials as required.
- Application fee: $75 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application.
- Personal statement: Please discuss your academic interests and goals. Include your current professional and research interests, as well as your long-range professional objectives. Please be as specific as possible about how your objectives can be met at Clark and do not exceed 800 words.
- Resume: Required.
- Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required from persons who are competent to judge your qualifications for graduate study (at least one of the three should be from an academic source).
- Foreign language proficiency: Required of all international applicants. Please contact us if you believe you qualify for an exemption.
- TOEFL code: 5969 (TOEFL Information)
- IELTS: Please notify IELTS to send scores electronically to the Graduate Admissions Office. (IELTS Information)
- Official transcripts: Have your transcripts mailed directly from the institution to:
Clark University
Graduate Admissions Office
950 Main St.
Worcester, MA 01610
USA
- Monitor your application: Check the status of your application via the online application portalto ensure all of your credentials were received and view your final decision.
- Any questions? If at any point you have questions or concerns about your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office for assistance.
For Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and City Year Volunteers
All AmeriCorps, Peace Corps or City Year volunteers applying to a program in the International Development, Community and Environment Department are required submit a description of service as part of their application. If you are currently serving and have not yet received your description of service, a letter from your supervisor stating your current status and when your serve is expected to end will be acceptable. All descriptions of service or supervisor letters should be uploaded through your application status page or emailed to gradadmissions@clarku.edu.
For International Applicants
Official transcripts
All transcripts that are submitted as part of your application must be translated into English prior to submission. Transcripts from international programs that do not include the original language and the English translation will not be considered for admission. If you submit an official final transcript, please make sure to include confirmation of earned degree.
Financial documents
We ask that all international applicants refrain from sending financial documents as part of their application for admission. Financial documents will be needed only after you have received an offer of admission and choose to enroll at Clark University.
Required documents
After you accept the offer of admission and pay the non-refundable deposit, the following items are needed:
- International Student Information Form
- A copy of your passport
- Bank statement that is no more than 6 months old*
- Signed Affidavit of Support if the bank statement is not in your name and if you will not be using personal funds to finance your education*
Upload the documents listed above to your online application account.
*The bank statement and affidavit of support are needed for those who would like Clark University to issue an I-20 form (for students who want to obtain an F-1 student visa) or a DS-2019 (for students who want to obtain a J-1 visa)
Obtaining a student visa
After you upload the documents listed above, your information will be reviewed by Clark University’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). In most cases, the ISSO will issue an I-20 or DS-2019 form so that you can apply for a student visa. The I-20 form or DS-2019 form will be sent to you along with detailed steps on the visa application process. Here is a brief overview of the visa acquisition process:
- Read the I-20 or DS-2019 to make sure all of the information is accurate.
- Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to determine the procedures for visa application.
- Pay the $200 SEVIS fee online to the U.S. government.
- Schedule a visa interview online (DS-160)
- Information on photo requirements for a student visa can be found on the official website.
- Make sure to bring a copy of the following to your visa interview:
- SEVIS fee payment receipt
- Admission letter from Clark University
- Financial documents that prove you have funding listed on I-20 or DS-2019
- Documents that demonstrate your intention to return home after completion of studies.
Financial Assistance
International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE) Department Merit Fellowships
IDCE offers merit-based fellowships to qualified U.S. and international students who have demonstrated leadership in their work experience and have excellent academic qualifications. Fellowships include:
- IDCE Fellowships: 75 to 100 percent tuition-remission award. An important circle of scholars within the IDCE community, IDCE Fellows search for thoughtful, realistic and innovative approaches to international development, advancing social change, building community and promoting environmental sustainability.
- Community Development and Planning (CDP) Practice Fellowships: IDCE's CDP programawards one full-tuition fellowship annually to a full-time admitted student who has worked in a nonprofit setting for more than three years. Preference will be given to a current employee of a nonprofit organization in the city of Worcester or in the greater Worcester area. Other qualifying applicants may receive at least 40 percent tuition remission.
- Community Development and Planning (CDP) Diversity Fellowships: IDCE's CDP programawards one full-tuition fellowship annually to a full-time admitted student from an underrepresented ethnic or racial group in the United States. Other qualifying applicants may receive at least 40 percent tuition remission.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.clarku.edu/programs/masters-community-development-and-planning