Community Development

Community Development

The Old and New Testaments repeatedly emphasize God's heart for people who are living in poverty. In fact, the Bible reveals in the gospels of Luke and John that caring for the poor is one of the central features of Christ's mission, a mission that He continues to accomplish through His people—people like you and me.

On this page Overview Graduate Outcomes Programs / Features Faculty Contact

Program Overview

Knowing practically what to do to help those who are economically disadvantaged is very difficult. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough. As described in a book produced by our department, When Helping Hurts, it is actually possible to hurt the impoverished in the very process of trying to help them. In this light, our program draws on biblical insights, the latest research, and decades of practical experience to prepare students to promote lasting transformation in low-income communities and individuals in the U.S. and around the world.

students carrying trash during service project

Graduate Outcomes

Students majoring in community development have found employment in a wide range of settings, including non-profits, churches, ministries, international relief and development organizations, government, and philanthropy.

Recent changes to the program have added a social innovation component that further prepares students to address poverty in an even wider range of settings including business, art, environment care, healthcare, finance, and education.

Job Outcomes for Covenant Economics Majors:

Director of Savings Group Program Development, HOPE International
Neighborhood Engagement Specialist, Loaves and Fishes
Senior Community Development Specialist, Dollar Bank
Advocacy Manager, Center for Public Justice
Program Officer, Cornerstone Trust
Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation Specialist, World Vision
Conservation Impact Economist, The Nature Conservancy
Environmental Sustainability & Disaster Resilience Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Compassion International
Evaluation Specialist, Action for Kids
Policy Analyst, Maryland Department of Health
Volunteer and Co-Sponsorship Manager, Bridge Refugee Services
Grants & Impact Partnerships | Evidence-Based Decision-Making | Justice, World Relief
Family Physician, Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic - Freedom
Lecturer, Carey Baptist College, New Zealand

Graduate Schools for Community Development Alumni:

Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of Sussex Institute for Development Studies
Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Public Health
Penn State University Rural Sociology
Medical College of Georgia
Covenant Theological Seminary
Denver Seminary

Jonathan Wilson '06

Dave Connis ’11

Glory Blankenship '20

Gracie Woodrow '18

Programs & Features

The disciplines of economics and community development have different perspectives, tools, strengths, and weaknesses. For this reason, many students find it valuable to major in both programs.

View Economics Page

The community development major uses an interdisciplinary approach that draws on multiple fields to address the whole person in a wide range of cultural settings.

View Requirements

Students can also pursue a community development minor which will prepare them for careers and graduate study in a range of disciplines.

View Requirements

All community development majors are required to complete a 12-24 week research internship. Department faculty work with students and partners in the field to design, support, and evaluate these research internships.

Recent Internships for Community Development Students:

Covenant Community Capital, Houston. TX
Alliance for Children Everywhere, Lusaka, Zambia
Heart for Winter Haven (FL)
Friends of Refugees, Clarkston, GA
Ethne Community Health, Clarkston, GA
Hope for Suffolk
Launch Chattanooga
Habitat for Humanity

CDV 300 Living and Working in a Multicultural Context
CDV 350 Introduction to Social Innovation
CDV 330 Global Health
CDV 343 U.S. Economic Development Interventions
CDV 345 Agricultural Development
SOC 419 Social Diversity & Inequality

“Transitional Housing: An Effective Tool for Housing America's Homeless Young Men”
“From Superficial to Sacrificial: Rediscovering Biblical Hospitality in Refugee Co-Sponsorship Programs”
“Mobile Money as a Poverty Alleviation Intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa”
“Sustainable Agriculture and Food Insecurity”
“Kayayei: Carrying Shalom in the marketplace”

Guided Capstone Requirements

The Chalmers Center is a research and educational institute which trains workers in church-centered ministries to promote economic development and spiritual transformation in the context of poor communities. In collaboration with partnering agencies and churches worldwide, the center initiates pilot projects that serve as laboratories for the development of new models that can be replicated by others.

Students in the economics or community development major may apply for domestic and international research internships in these projects, providing them with a unique opportunity to participate in the development of state-of-the-art strategies and to gain practical experience.

Meet the Faculty

Brian Fikkert Professor of Economics and Community Development

Russell Mask Professor of Community Development

Steve Corbett Associate Professor of Community Development

Ready to take the next step?

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