Program Information
The Master of Community Engagement is a 36-credit program at Merrimack College.
With our curriculum, you’ll gain a broad understanding and acquire skills relevant to community involvement, community development and social change. Like you, students in the program are passionate about addressing pressing social issues and needs through service learning, community organizing, and community partnerships.
All students take a set of core courses and pursue a capstone project focused on community-engaged research, social justice education, or policy analysis. To further facilitate your success, a wide range of professional development opportunities are provided and a range of resources and support are available to you.
Students may take up to two courses as a non-matriculated student before formally applying to the program. Students may be interested in taking a class or two in topics relevant to their work or professional interests. Please contact the Graduate Admission office for more information.
Core Courses
The core of our program emphasizes social justice and the role that schools, colleges and communities can and should play in a democratic, pluralistic, and complex society. These courses provide a foundation in community engagement and social justice.
- Capstone in Community Engagement
- Community Engagement Professional Experience
- Community Engagement: Theory and Practice
- Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in Community Engagement
- Research Methods
Elective Courses
Students take additional courses relevant to their interests and professional development goals.
- Community Organizing and Development
- DEI Theory, Policy, and Practice in Community Engagement
- Experiential Education
- Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Development
- Management and Leadership of the Nonprofit Sector
- Mentoring Urban Youth
- School, Family, and Community Partnerships
- Activism, Social Movements, and Community Engagement
- Community Arts Engagement
- Community Engagement in Higher Education
- Global Issues and Community Engagement
- Institutional Partnerships
- Politics of Community Engagement
- Social Policy for Children and Families
- Social Justice Education in Action
- Theories of Adult Learning and Development
- Theories of Organizational Change
- Today’s Youth: Power, Position, Promise
- University-Community Relations
Community Engagement Professional Experience
Fellows take a yearlong Fellowship seminar that corresponds with their fellowship experience; traditional students completing qualifying assistantships may also take the course.
