Community Development Programs Combine Various Fields
Did you know that in order to apply for one of Toronto's respected Community Development programs (at Centennial College), students just require an interest in the field; possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older); as well as completion of English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent (minimum grade required) or the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission? With these admission requirements met, they can apply to study the ins and outs of the field of social planning that strives to enhance the social and economic well being of people living in various communities.
What exactly is community development?
At its core, it is a term used to describe the practices and academic
disciplines of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens and
professionals to improve various aspects of local communities. These
community advocates must understand both how to work with individuals
and how to affect communities' positions within the context of larger
social institutions. As a result, they empower individuals and groups of
people by providing them with the skills they need to effect change in
their own communities.
With this in mind, Centennial College's
Community Development program balances politics, economics, research and
an understanding of cultural diversity in its courses. In addition,
Community Development program students have the opportunity to apply
what they learn to two different work placements in semesters three and
four. During these experiences, students work under the supervision of
community practitioners in "real world" fieldwork settings where they
also network and obtain new knowledge from these seasoned professionals.
Specific courses in which students of
this community develop program partake are: Global Citizenship: From
Social Analysis to Social Action (learners use individual portfolios to
demonstrate personal and professional development that connects social
responsibility to program studies. These portfolios are introduced and
evaluated in a designated program course in the first semester of their
program, are anchored in this course, and evaluated as a final product
in a designated program course in the final semester of their program);
College Communications (introduces the standards of college-level
English. It enables students to develop skills in grammar, sentence
variety, paragraph development, vocabulary, and reading comprehension);
Social Psychology (designed to introduce the student to the theories,
research, and applications that constitute the field of social
psychology. Important social phenomena are described in order to
demonstrate how social psychologists analyze and explain such
phenomena); as well as Sustainable Community Development, Community
Economic Development, Community Development in Action, Business
Essentials, Community Engagement and Participation as well as others
such as.
As a result of the Community Development program in Canada,
grads work in public, private and non-profit sector careers in a wide
array of positions geared at building community capacity, promoting
sustainable community and managing/directing community economic
development initiatives. Among specific areas in which students of the
Community Development program may find careers upon graduation are:
government, voluntary organizations, corporations, and international
community settings.
