Working in the Community
Community Engagement Fellows work hand-in-hand with their partner organizations to make a deep and powerful impact in the communities in which they serve.
Are You Ready to Make a Real Impact?
At Merrimack, we’re passionate about community change and social justice. Our M.Ed. in Community Engagement will help you gain a deeper understanding of civic engagement in the nonprofit sector, including trends, theoretical models and best practices. This program focuses on diversity and social justice, community development and organizational change.
This versatile degree provides professional preparation for careers in areas such as fundraising, community relations, volunteer management, diversity training, and leadership in schools, colleges and community organizations.
Important Information for the 2023-2024 Community Engagement Fellowship Program
The Master of Education in Community Engagement program is still accepting fellowship applications on a rolling basis!
We strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible for your best chance at a preferred placement. Applications will be accepted until all fellowship positions have been filled.
The process is as follows:
- Submit your online application. Be sure to indicate your fellowship interest within your application.
- Submit your initial ranking form. Students who are accepted for admission and invited to interview for a fellowship will be eligible to review and rank their preferred positions. If you are invited, your invitation will include a deadline for submitting your selections. Please note: we do not guarantee that you will be invited to interview for your top selections.
- Complete your site interviews. First round of interviews will take place.
- Submit your post-interview rankings. After the interviews, both students and sites must complete and submit their post-interview ranking forms, ranking their preferences for final placement.
- Receive your match notification. Match letters will be sent to all students and supervisors.
Community Engagement Fellowship
Our highly sought-after fellowships offer you unparalleled professional experiences and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve significantly reduced the cost of your graduate degree. With the guidance of experienced site-based supervisors and program faculty, you’ll have the support you need to excel in your field placement and in your graduate studies.
How It Works
- One-year fellows will complete a nine-month field-based experience in a partner school, college, or community-based organization, serving 25 hours a week at your placement site, while taking graduate courses in the summer and on afternoons and evenings throughout the academic year.
- Two-year fellows will complete a 21-month field-based experience in a partner school, college, or community-based organization, serving 10 hours a week at your placement site, while taking graduate courses in the summer and on afternoons and evenings throughout the academic year.
- Earn your 36-credit M.Ed. in Community Engagement tuition free.
Program Format and Curriculum
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, select a concentration area and pursue a capstone experience 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.
Available Fellowship Positions
Please note: The below list of positions is representative of what fellowships are available, but may not be up-to-date.
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A Better Chance of Andover
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Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (ABCDC)
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Beyond Benign
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BioBus New England
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Boston Partners in Education
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Friends of the Hernández
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Hands to Help/ Food Recovery Network – Merrimack College
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Jumpstart Program – Merrimack College
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Kids in Tech
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MakeIT Haverhill
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McQuade Library –
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Merrimack College
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Neighbors in Need
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Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF)
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North Shore Community College: Service Learning Fellow
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North Shore Community Development Coalition
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Partnership for Financial Equity
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Princeton University – Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES)
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Serving Stars – National Junior Tennis & Learning Program
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United World College of the American West (UWC-USA)
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WinnCompanies – Connected Communities
Where You’ll Get Your Professional Experience
Fellows serve on site with our community partners. Here is a sampling of current and past organizations:
- ACT Lawrence
- Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation
- Beverly Council on Aging
- Gann Academy
- Lawrence Public Library
- Mel King Institute
- Merrimack College
- Neighbors in Need
- North Shore Community College
- North Shore Community Development Coalition
- Northern Essex Community College
- Root
- St. Anselm College
- The Community Group
- University of Minnesota
After Merrimack
- Nutrition Research and Outreach Assistant, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Education Specialist, Essex National Heritage Commission
- Development/Social Media/Volunteer Coordinator, Plummer Home for Boys
- Advisor, Career Pathways Bridge Program, Northern Essex Community College
- Program Manager, Civic Engagement, Wellesley College
- Dean of Student Life, Mount St. Joseph Academy (Pennsylvania)
- Director of Technical Assistance, Youth Build USA
- Senior Associate Director, Service Learning and Civic Engagement, Bentley University
Who Are Our Fellows?
For prospective fellows, the Community Engagement Fellowship Program is intended to provide a new experience that will expand your professional network, knowledge skills, and experience. Similarly, for prospective sites, the Community Engagement Fellowship Program provides the opportunity to benefit from the excitement, ideas and perspective of someone who is new to your organization.
Please note:
- We strongly discourage prospective sites and prospective fellows from presenting themselves to us as a partnership. We believe the fellowship program is strongest for all when you participate in our match process.
- For local individuals holding full-time jobs in the Community Engagement field that you love and don’t want to leave, we urge you to consider our traditional program.
- For local organizations committed to the professional development of your staff, we have an organizational cohort model through which you may cover the Community Engagement Program’s tuition for six or more of your staff at a reduced rate. Please contact Audrey Falk for additional information.
Are You Interested in Hosting a Fellow?
Learn more about hosting a Community Engagement Fellow at your site on our site information page.
Dean and Alumni Scholarships
Dean and Alumni Scholarships are available to students who are not receiving a fellowship. No additional application is needed.
