The human suffering in our world continues to propel a Bachelors of Science with a major in Community Development as a viable and growing field of study. Of the estimated 6.45 billion world population, one out of three live in severe poverty - on two dollars or less per day - and about one million dwell in urban slums. Since 2000, in spite of the internationally agreed upon Millennium Development Goals, 23 million more Latin Americans have slipped into poverty, and most African countries are poorer today than they were in the 1970's. For Christians, this raises a daunting question of how we can truly be the Church of Jesus Christ in our world today.

The Community Development program will prepare you spiritually and intellectually by equipping you with professional knowledge and skills, along with Christian principles, to serve God as a true world changer. You will gain a biblical understanding of the world as God's creation and of the role of the church in fulfilling the scriptural call for justice, peace, and prosperity for all humanity. This degree will give you knowledge of the all-encompassing dimensions of poverty and allow you to explore principles and strategies to deal with the issues of human suffering in our world.

This program combines classroom learning, academic trips, and practical experiences to prepare you for a successful career in the field. You will be equipped for graduate studies and for employment in local, national, and international development agencies. Come join us!

Community Development Minor

A minor in Community Development consists of 24 credit hours of courses specifically designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and resources to actively participate in and facilitate development in local, national, and global communities.

Urban Ministries Minor

A minor in Urban Ministries consists of 24 credit hours of courses specifically designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and resources to actively participate in and facilitate development in urban settings.

Path to Ordination

Pair this major with the Pastoral Ministries double major to be eligible for ordination within the Wesleyan Church and some other denominations. 

Career Paths

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Courses

One of the best ways to discover a degree program is to check out the course listings. Preview the courses for Community Development at Indiana Wesleyan University using the course catalog.