Building a Better Tomorrow
A degree in policy and community development prepares smart leaders to empower and support healthy communities and smart policies
In the past few years, we've learned to live with a global pandemic and a divisive political environment. We've seen income disparities grow wider and have witnessed social uprisings. All have a profound effect on the financial, physical, and social wellbeing of our communities. How do we leverage this moment to recommit to racial, economic, and environmental justice? How do we make communities work better and be healthier places to live, work, and play? What policies help us get there?
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Concentrations
Law
Develop expertise in the foundations of law. Review civil rights and liberties. Learn about the legal process. Critically evaluate laws, policies, and programs and their impact on society, social justice, and environmental justice. The law concentration prepares you for law school and a career in law or legal aid. You can get pre-law advising in this and any other concentration if you're planning to apply to law school.
Not interested in law school, you’ll gain a solid foundation for your advanced studies in public policy, as well as be prepared for professional careers in political organizations, criminal justice, social justice, or public service. Choose from 11 different courses to customize your law concentration.
Environment
Develop expertise in the foundations of environmental policy. The environment concentration prepares you for a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy, Sustainable Communities, and other similar programs, as well as professional careers in environmental justice, environmental non-profits, corporate sustainability, and environmental policy.
You’ll study the laws, regulations, and policy apparatus that organizations and governments use to manage environmental issues. You’ll explore how environmental policy balances the protection, conservation, and sustainability of natural resources with affordable energy and economic growth while understanding how human activities impact the environment. Choose from 19 different courses to customize your environment concentration.
Health
Learn to apply skills in policy and community development to health. Develop foundational knowledge in public health. Focus on improving people’s physical and mental well-being in a specific geographic region. Examine social determinants of health (including health inequalities) and their policy implications. Take a population-health-environment approach to addressing community health needs. Build a course of study that focuses on improving health care, one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. and the global economy.
The health concentration prepares you for careers in community health or for a Master’s degree in Public Health. Choose from 14 different courses to customize your health concentration.
A Masters Degree in Your Plans?
Earn an Accelerated MS degree in sustainable communities, environmental and energy policy or industrial heritage and archaeology. You can do it in just one additional year at Michigan Tech with your BS in policy and community development.
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4+faculty-led study away programs
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90%of undergraduates involved in research
Tomorrow Needs Policy and Community Development Experts
The expertise of policy and community development professionals is crucial for promoting social equity and reducing disparities. These professionals can navigate diverse stakeholder perspectives and interests, mediate conflicts, promote collaboration, and build consensus. Experts analyze complex data and conduct thorough needs assessments leading to evidence-based policies and programs that uplift marginalized groups, bridge the socioeconomic gap, and create opportunities for growth.
Be Career Ready
Career Opportunities for Policy and Community Development Majors
Growth is strong in several careers policy and community development degree holders gravitate to. Community health educator jobs will grow 12%, fundraiser jobs will grow 11%, and social and community service manager jobs will grow 12%. Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Attorney
- Budget Analyst
- Case Manager
- City Planner/Developer
- Community Health Workers
- Consultant
- Data Analyst
- Fundraiser
- Health Education Specialist
- Housing Administrator
- Land Use Specialist
- Law Enforcement
- Lobbyist
- Non-Profit Administrator
- Policy Analyst
- Public Relations
- Real Estate
- Regional Planner
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Social Worker
- Transportation Logistics
- Urban Design/Downtown Development
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Zoning Administrator
Companies Hiring Policy and Community Development Majors
These are just some of the organizations hiring policy and community development majors:
- Advocacy organizations
- Consulting companies
- Corporate social responsibility/outreach departments
- County, state, federal government
- Diversity/Equity/Inclusion offices
- Economic development agencies
- Environmental agencies
- Historic preservation agencies
- Housing authorities and real estate firms
- Law firms and consulting firms
- Non-Profit organizations
- Parks and recreation departments
- Planning and development agencies
- Public health agencies
- Public/Private partnerships
- Public utilities
- Regulatory agencies
- Transportation commissions
- Think tanks
