Current Program

Courses in Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) prepare students for a challenging career in urban development. Graduates earn entry-level jobs as assistant project managers, development assistants, community organizers, and job developers in a non-profit organizations, government agencies, or financial institutions. Students enroll in the program, which reflects the goals of the college's Mission Statement, to obtain an A.A. degree or Certificate of Completion, for personal enrichment, for retraining or upgrading job skills, or to complete requirements for transfer to a four-year institution - where they may enter related fields such as urban planning, public administration, real estate or design. In recent years the program has been impacted by the availability of funding and legislation for jobs in this area.

Degrees and Certificates - An Associate in Arts and a Certificate of Completion are offered.

Personnel - At this time, the program employs ten part-time faculty and five short-term classified employees.

Teaching Methodologies - Lecture is the primary teaching method used in the program. Lecture/lab and service based learning also are used.

Technology - There are no online courses or other distance education technologies in use at this time.

Equipment - Computers and overhead projectors need to be replaced at this time.

Facilities - The program office, housed in Building "C," is isolated and not easily located, although the space is adequate. Signs are needed to help direct students to the office.

Future Program

Within five years the program will likely add a credit course in service learning as well as theory-based courses needed by transfer students. The program will need to adapt to changing technology and teaching methods, taking advantage of distance learning capabilities. It is expected that in both the mid term (five years) and long term (ten years) enrollment in the program will grow at the same rate as the overall college enrollment. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - No additional degrees or certificates are planned.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - Online courses are expected to be created and in use by 2003.

Technology - Alternative delivery systems, particularly online courses, will likely become a significant part of the program's offerings as many of the courses involving data analysis and research lend themselves well to this type of technology.

Equipment - Within the next five years the following equipment will be needed: new lap top computers with presentation software applications (PowerPoint), screens and computer projectors

Facilities - The program needs a facility capable of handling video conferencing.

Staff Development - No suggestions for Staff Development activities have been identified.