Community Processes Graduate Certificate Program
The Graduate Certificate in Community Processes offers graduate students and professionals a unique opportunity to develop expertise in how spatial and relational communities function in today's society: their processes for forming, for maintaining the community and for achieving community objectives. A vital part of the certificate is acquiring applied skills in community facilitation processes or community analytical processes. The certificate is offered jointly by the Departments of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology and the Truman School of Public Affairs.
The Certificate is for:
- Graduate students seeking certification in addition to their degree program.
- Professionals with at least a bachelor's degree seeking a stand-alone graduate certificate for additional professional certification.
The Certificate offers two tracks:
Track 1: Community Facilitation
Skills for working with groups and communities
- Building community
- Grassroots development
- Group dynamics
- Conflict resolution
- How organizations change
- Building community self-capacity
Track 2: Community Analytical Processes
Analytical skills for decision-making, or working with communities or decision-makers at the organizational, local, regional or state level
Understanding the local economy
- Information and government
- Basic analytical tools and skills
- Regional analysis
- Analysis for decision-makers
- Devolution
- Public and private partnerships
- Theories applied to local economic growth
Program design
Required course: Rural Sociology RS 7407: American Community Studies provides a basic understanding of geographic communities and communities of interest. See the MU Graduate Catalog for course descriptions.
Students choose a track for 9 additional credits.
- One basic course (3 credits) in the chosen track and
- 6 additional credits:
- 6 credits in the chosen track, or
- 3 credits in the chosen track and 3 credits from a basic course in the other track (highly encouraged)
Analytical Processes for Communities track students must have studied statistical analysis through multiple regression and basic macro and micro-economics.
Students must begin and complete the certificate in three years.
Transfer credits: With approval of the director and the faculty members of the advisory committee, students may transfer-in three credits. Transferred credits must correspond directly to the MU graduate certificate program course requirements. An original transcript, verifying graduate credit received for the requested hours of transfer credit, must be submitted to the Graduate School when the Course of Study form is submitted.
Students seeking a degree: With approval of the director and the faculty members of the advisory committee,
- 6 of the 12 required credits also may count toward the degree requirements, or
- Students may transfer-in 3 credits (see above) and 3 credits also may count toward the degree requirements
Community facilitation track
Required Course:
- RS 7325: American Community Studies (campus and online) Fall semester
Basic courses: (choose at least one)
- RS 7341: Building Communities from the Grass Roots (1-week intensive) Fall and Winter semesters
- PA 8610: Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution (campus) Winter semester
- PA 8630: Organizational Change in a Community and Global Context (campus) Winter semester
Supporting courses:
- RS 7342: Empowering Communities for the Future (1-week intensive) Winter semester
- RS 7343: Creating Capacity for Dynamic Communities (1-week intensive) Fall semester
- PA 8150: Foundations of New Governance (campus) Fall semester
Community analytical processes track
Required Course:
- RRS 7325: American Community Studies (campus and online) Fall semester
Basic courses: (choose at least one)
- PA 8310: Community Decision Support Systems (campus) Winter semester
- PA 8330: Informatics and Local Governance (campus) Winter semester
- AE 9310: Rural Economic Growth and Development (campus) Fall semester
Supporting Courses:
- AE 9320: Regional Theory and Methods (campus)
- PA 8150: Foundations of New Governance (campus) Fall semester
- AE 7310: Local Economic Analysis (online only) Winter semester
- PA 8320: Spatial Analysis for Public Affairs (campus) Fall semester
How to Apply
Application Form from MU Graduate School (PDF)
Advisory Committee
- Judith I. Stallmann, Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology and Truman School of Public Affairs
- Johanna Reed Adams, Rural Sociology
- Thomas Johnson, Agricultural Economics and Truman School of Public Affairs
- Cindy Mustard, Voluntary Action Center, Columbia, MO
- Phil Steinhaus, City of Columbia Community Services Office
