Annual Conferences
CDS hosts an annual conference on its own or in collaboration with partners like the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) and the International Association for Community Development (IACD). Presentations, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities are common offerings delivered by practitioners and scholars alike.
2027 CDS Conference
Our 2027 conference will be in La Crosse, WI from July 11th to 14th, 2026 at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, with additional events around the “Driftless” area.
For Conference Registration and Other Important Information, Please Click HERE
Webinars
As convening online has become easier and more popular, CDS offers a variety of professional development webinars. Webinars are available to the public, but only logged-in members can access the archive of webinar recordings.
October 27, 2026 Webinar – Principles of Good Practice Webinar Series: Community-Driven Practice: Putting local people first in planning and making choices
Principles of Good Practice Webinar Series: Community-Driven Practice: Putting local people first in planning and making choices Tuesday, October 27, 2026 — 11:00 am Central Time (US & Canada) To register for this webinar click HERE. This webinar explores the Community Development Society’s Principle of Community-Driven Practice, emphasizing the importance of putting local people first in […]
September 15, 2026 Webinar – Principles of Good Practice Webinar Series: Using the Community Capitals Framework for Sustainable Community Development
Principles of Good Practice Webinar Series: Using the Community Capitals Framework for Sustainable Community Development Tuesday, September 15, 2026 — 4:30 pm Eastern Time (US & Canada) To view the webinar recording click HERE To view the Sustainability Flyer click HERE To view the PDF version of Dr. Cornel Hart’s presentation slides click HERE To view the PDF […]
April 29, 2026 Webinar – Principles of Good Practice Webinar Series: Dignity within Diversity
Principles of Good Practice Webinar Series: Dignity within Diversity Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — 2:00 pm Eastern Time (US & Canada) To view the webinar recording click HERE To view the PDF version of the presentation slides click HERE Community Development Society (CDS) supports eight Principles of Good Practice for community development. Beginning in 2026, CDS will host […]
Scholarships
The Linda Sunde CDS Endowment Fund was established by CDS members to provide a sustainable source of support to Members for conference participation, community development education, practice, and community-engaged research projects. The number of scholarships and the amount awarded each year varies according to the funds available through investment growth in the previous year. The CDS Stewardship Committee makes these determinations under the guidance of the CDS Board Treasurer.
Scholarship and award recipients are recognized at a plenary session during the CDS annual conference and are encouraged to attend, even if not required to do so. All recipients are required to “give back” to CDS through volunteer service for a period of one year on a CDS committee or working group of their choosing.
The application process for 2026 scholarship applications opens on November 17, 2025. The deadline to apply for scholarships is February 15, 2026 by 5 pm Pacific Time.
Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered for the 2027 scholarship cycle. Before submitting an application please review the full criteria for the award you are applying for.
SECTION 1: STUDENT MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
SECTION 2: STUDENT & REGULAR MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Awards
During its annual conference, the Community Development Society (CDS) has the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of its Members and colleagues through a variety of awards. We encourage anyone to recognize the work of their community development colleagues by submitting a nomination on their behalf.
The purpose, eligibility criteria, and the opportunity to nominate a colleague for each award can be found in the links below.
Nomination applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The 2026 Nominations are open!
We are utilizing a new award nomination submission form. To submit your nomination, please click HERE.
The deadline to submit a nomination is April 12, 2026.
Nominations submitted after the deadline will be reviewed and considered during the following year’s round of awards.
CD Certifications
Advancing Community Development Education
Community Development Educational Programs and Certifications
PROGRAMS IN THE USA
As a professional community of practice, the Community Development Society supports the knowledge and skills advancement of community development scholars and practitioners. The following list of programs* represent U.S. based resources and is intended to assist professionals in their search for professional trainings and education to advance their profession.
Institution | Type of Program Offering | Link to Program |
Arizona State University | Undergraduate and graduate programs, certificate(s) | |
Auburn University | Graduate program | |
Bridgewater State University | Undergraduate and graduate programs | |
California Baptist University | BA & MA Organizational Leadership (online) | |
California State University | Center for Community Engagement, Poly Sci BA | |
Clark University | Community Development & Planning, BA, MBA/MA/MS, Urban Studies Concentration Program | |
Clemson University | Community Development and City Planning Minor | |
College of Charleston | Graduate programs and certificate(s) | |
Columbia University | Graduate program | |
Columbia University | Graduate program | |
DePaul University | Graduate program | |
Eastern Kentucky University | Graduate program, certificate | |
IDEA (Online Higher Education Alliance) | Masters Degree, Graduate certificate | |
Kansas State University | Graduate Certificate | |
Merrimack College | Graduate program (online) | |
Montana State University | Undergraduate program, graduate program | |
North Carolina State University | Graduate programs | |
Northern Arizona University | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs, certificate(s) | |
Northwest University | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
Oklahoma State University | Graduate programs (some online) | |
Penn State University | Graduate program, certificate | |
Prairie View A & M University | Graduate program | |
Rutgers University – Camden | Graduate programs | |
Sam Houston University | Undergraduate programs | |
South Dakota State University | Undergraduate programs, Graduate program (some online) | |
SUNY-Empire State College | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs, Certificate(s) | |
University of California-Davis | Graduate program | |
University of California, Berkeley | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
University of California-Irvine | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
University of Central Arkansas | Undergraduate programs | |
University of Central Arkansas | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs, Certificate(s) | |
Univ. of Chicago | Graduate programs | |
Univ. of Cincinnati | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
University of Colorado | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
University of Delaware Urban Affairs & Public Policy | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs | |
University of Detroit Mercy Community Development | Graduate program | |
University of Georgia | Undergraduate program, Graduate program | |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Undergraduate program, Graduate program | |
University of Kansas | Undergraduate programs, Graduate program, certificate(s) | |
University of Kentucky | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs, Certificate(s) | |
University of Oregon | Graduate program | |
Univ. of Pittsburgh | Graduate program (MSW) | |
University of Rhode Island | Graduate certificate | |
Univ. of South Florida | Graduate program | |
Univ. of Southern Maine | Graduate certificate | |
University of Southern Mississippi | Graduate program | |
University of Texas-Austin | Graduate programs | |
University of Vermont | Graduate programs | |
University of Washington-Tacoma | Graduate program | |
Univ. of West Georgia | Graduate program | |
Vanderbilt University | Graduate program | |
Wayne State University | Undergraduate programs, Graduate programs, Certificate(s) | |
Western Illinois University | Graduate program |
PROGRAMS OUTSIDE OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Program Name | Type of Certification | Link to Program |
Community Development Institute | CDI offers a series of credentialing programs in community and economic development | |
Neighbor Works | Certificate for Creative Community Development |
PROGRAMS IN CANADA
As a professional community of practice, the Community Development Society supports the knowledge and skills advancement of community development scholars and practitioners. The following list of programs* represent Canada based resources and is intended to assist professionals in their search for professional trainings and education to advance their profession.
Institution | Type of Program Offering | Link to Program |
Bachelor of Community Development, Master of Community Development, Honours option | ||
Bachelor of Community Development, Honours option | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Certificate / Certificat, Honours option, Minor / Mineur | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Microcredential / Microprogram de 1e cycle | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle, Master of Rural Development | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Master of Business Administration / Maîtrise en administration | ||
Minor / Mineur | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | Sciences humaines – Option Justice sociale et enjeux internationaux | |
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | Sciences humaines – Profil Gesion des organisations et responsabilités sociales | |
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle, Master of Rural Development | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Bachelor of Community Design, Honours option | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle | ||
Minor / Mineur | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Bachelor of Community Development | ||
Associate Certificate | ||
Associate Certificate | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Bachelor of Business Administration / Baccalauréat en administration | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Minor / Mineur | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | Business Administration: Small Business and Entrepreneurship Major | |
Minor / Mineur | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Graduate Certificate | ||
Graduate Certificate | ||
Certificate / Certificat, Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Certificate / Certificat, Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Applied Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Applied Arts | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Master of Education, Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Master of Education, Ph.D. / Doctorat, Ed.D. | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Certificate / Certificat, Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | Social Development Studies – Individual Well-being and Development | |
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | Social Development Studies – Social Policy and Social Action | |
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Post-Graduate Certificate | ||
Graduate Certificate | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Honours option, Applied Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Applied Arts | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Commerce | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option, Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Certificate / Certificat, Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option, Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Certificate / Certificat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option, Minor / Mineur | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Minor / Mineur | ||
Bachelor of Commerce, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Bachelor of Urban & Regional Planning | ||
Master of Planning / Maîtrise en aménagement | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Graduate Specialization | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Minor / Mineur | ||
Minor / Mineur | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Certificate / Certificat, Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Master of Business Administration / Maîtrise en administration, Graduate Specialization | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle | ||
Graduate Microcredential / Microprogram de 2e cycle | ||
Master of Planning / Maîtrise en aménagement | ||
Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Business Administration / Baccalauréat en administration | ||
Diploma / Diplôme / D.E.C. | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Graduate Certificate | ||
Master of Education, Graduate Specialization | Educational Policy Studies – Adult, Community, and Higehr Ecuation | |
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise, Ph.D. / Doctorat | ||
Bachelor of Business Administration / Baccalauréat en administration | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option | ||
Bachelor of Recreation Management and Community Development | ||
Minor / Mineur | ||
Bachelor of Philosophy | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Bachelor of Planning | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Graduate Certificate | ||
Certificate / Certificat | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Master of Education, Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Bachelor of Environmental Studies | ||
Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Certificate / Certificat | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat, Honours option, Undergraduate Specialization | ||
Master of Development Practice | ||
Bachelor of Arts / Baccalauréat | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Bachelor of Environmental Studies | ||
Bachelor of Environmental Studies | ||
Bachelor of Commerce | ||
Master of Arts / Maîtrise | ||
Master of Leadership and Community Engagement | ||
Graduate Diploma / Diplôme de 2e cycle |
The above list of community development programs is for informational purposes only. This list was generated through Internet searches for educational opportunities related to community development or related fields and does not claim to be exhaustive. Programs and certifications have not been vetted by CDS. The Community Development Society encourages every professional to embrace Principles of Good Practice in their professional endeavors. Administrators of credentialing programs are encouraged to contact CDS to report changes in status or availability of listed programs or to have your program included.
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