Program: Community and International Development MSCID - Andrews University

Apr 02, 2025

2024-2025 Academic Bulletin

The Community and International Development program offers interdisciplinary study in the humanitarian and development field at the graduate level. This unique approach equips students with the skills needed to identify and respond to social and economic challenges across the globe. Program concentration options offer in depth training - preparing students for professional service in academia, policy, advocacy, project management, and administration.

In order to receive a Masters in Community and International Development, students will complete 30 credits of required coursework. Up to 6 credits may be transferred from another accredited/recognized institution and applied towards the 30 required credits according to the criteria listed in the official Andrews University Graduate Transfer Policy .

Delivery: This degree is offered in both an on-campus and as an interactive online synchronous program. Most courses are taught in-person and online simultaneously (see Global Campus definitions ). Online students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.

MSCID Dual Degree Options:

The MSCID is also available with the following dual degree options:

Total Credits - 30

Foundations - 18

CIDS 632 - Portfolio Development Seminar Credits: 1
CIDS 680 - Field Practicum Credits: 1
CIDS 698 - Research Project Credits: 2,3
Choose one of the following options:
Option 1:
SOCI 533 - Research Methods III: Advanced Research Design-Experimental and Survey Credits: 2
SOCI 534 - Research Methods IV: Advanced Statistical Analysis & SPSS Credits: 2
Option 2:
EDRM 605 - Qualitative Research Methods in Education and Psychology Credits: 3
Option 3:
EDRM 611 - Applied Statistical Methods I Credits: 3
Choose from the following courses to equal 18 total credits in Foundations:
CIDS 535 - Grant Writing Credits: 2
CIDS 575 - Topics: Credits: 1–6
CIDS 623 - Humanitarian and Development Practice Credits: 1–3
CIDS 663 - Political Economy Analysis Credits: 3
CIDS 673 - Project Cycle Management Credits: 3

Program Electives - 12

Choose 12 credits from the following options in consultation with the program advisor:

ANTH 517 - Cultural and Developmental Anthropology Credits: 2
BSAD 515 - Organizational Behavior & Leadership Credits: 3
BSAD 530 - Leadership & Management of Not-for-Profit Organizations Credits: 3
BSAD 670 - Management of Human Resources Credits: 3
CIDS 520 - Development Theory and Practice Credits: 3
CIDS 524 - Humanitarian Studies: Theory and Practice Credits: 3
CIDS 526 - Global Health & Development Credits: 3
CIDS 554 - Poverty Analysis & Reduction Strategies Credits: 3
CIDS 568 - Community Change Credits: 3
CIDS 575 - Topics: Credits: 1–6
CIDS 640 - Human Rights and Global Development Credits: 3
CIDS 675 - Institutions in Development Credits: 3
CIDS 697 - Portfolio Project Credits: 2
FNCE 675 - Financial Management Credits: 3
MSSN 546 - Mission in Cultural and Religious Context Credits: 3 (only available to MSCID/MDiv Dual Degree Students)
PSYC 525 - Disaster Psychology Credits: 2
SOCI 508 - Emergency Preparedness Credits: 2
SOCI 514 - Migrant & Refugee Issues Credits: 2,3
SOCI 549 - Disaster Response and Emergency Operations Credits: 2
SOCI 555 - Emergency Planning Credits: 2
SOCI 578 - Principles and Practice of Hazards Mitigation Credits: 3
SOWK 630 - Policy for Social Change Credits: 3 (only available to MSCID/MSW Dual Degree Students)

Assistantships

Students may have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistantships within the Community and International Development Program. Please apply in the CIDP Office.

Additional Information

The schools and departments regulate policies that govern the elective courses offered as part of the concentration package and some may not be available. Some elective courses may require prerequisites and should be discussed in advance with the program director/advisor for guidance in completing the concentration.

The Field Practicum and Research Project/Thesis will necessarily be related to the area of concentration in order to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the chosen area, and with the possibility of applying course work in practice. Students are required to undertake a 720-hour internship (approximately 6 months at 30 hours per week) through a field placement with a domestic, national, or international organization/project. Internships are based on prior approval and advice from the program director. Arrangements for the internship will be made by the program director/advisor pending availability and feasibility of the placement proposed by the student.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the following criteria, in addition to general admission requirements of the Andrews University School of Graduate Studies & Research:

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in 8 or more credits of previously taken graduate courses graded A-F. Students may be admitted provisionally with a GPA of 2.6 or higher. Such students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher during their first 12 graduate credits to continue in the program.
Completed Graduate Application packet.
Completed coursework in Statistics and Research. Provisional acceptance may be granted without these courses with the expectation that the student will take them during the first year of enrollment. Credits for these prerequisites will not apply toward the MSCID.

The director of the program may request a personal interview or a third reference and/or other information.

Students who apply for admission to the MSCID program have two options related to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). For those students who are seeking a graduate scholarship, the GRE must be taken. Scholarship amounts are based on the score achieved on the exam. For students who do not seek a graduate scholarship based on the GRE score, the exam is not required.

A reading knowledge of a foreign language is strongly recommended for those planning on graduate work.