Overview

The Community Development bachelor degree at Portland State University is a pioneering programme designed to empower students with the skills necessary to effect meaningful change within their communities. As the first of its kind in the nation, this curriculum focuses on the promotion of participative democracy, economic opportunity, and social justice. Students are encouraged to become active change agents in addressing complex social challenges through a multi-disciplinary lens.

The programme takes a hands-on approach to learning, integrating significant field research into the academic experience. Students have the unique opportunity to work directly with various agencies and organisations throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

Why Community Development at Portland State University?

Portland State University offers a distinctive environment where the city of Portland serves as a living laboratory for community development. The city is renowned for its strong tradition of urban planning, engaged residents, and diverse community organisations. This setting provides an ideal backdrop for students to witness struggles and innovations for justice and sustainability firsthand.

Students benefit from a dedicated and diverse faculty who bring their engaged research and deep community partnerships into the classroom. The programme allows for a high degree of customisation, enabling students to draw from various academic disciplines within the College of Urban and Public Affairs. This flexibility ensures that each student can tailor their education to match their specific interests and career goals.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 34599 per year
National fee: USD 34599 per year
Local fee: USD 12999 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of urban environments and social structures. Modules may include:

Community, Urban Studies, and Planning
Social Justice
Sustainable Development
Participative Democracy
Economic Opportunity
Field Research

Careers with Community Development

Graduates of this programme are prepared for diverse roles across government, non-profit sectors, social services, and private businesses. The skills acquired during the course allow alumni to support the development of diverse communities and advance environmental sustainability. Many former students have secured impactful positions in various reputable organisations.

Graduates have found employment with the following organisations:

City of Portland Bureau of Developmental Services
Home Forward
Columbia Sportswear
Mercy Corps
League of Oregon Cities
Oregon Food Bank
YWCA
Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Healthy Communities

Theory and Philosophy of Community Development

Urban Environmental Issues

Community and the Built Environment

Measuring People and Communities in the Urban Context

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-07-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-07-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-08-01 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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Credits

180 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Community Development View 161 other Bachelors in Community Development in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You may be admitted to Portland State University and an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway if you do not meet PSU's English Language Proficiency Requirement. Learn more about PSU’s English language programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Out-of-State

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12999 USD / year

≈ 12999 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Community Development.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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