Master of Arts in International Community Development
Northwest University is located in Kirkland, Washington. Since 1934, we’ve provided training and preparation for students who’ve built thousands of successful careers. Our Master of Arts in International Community Development is available on campus as well as in an online global hybrid format.
Our program will transform your passion for serving others into a profession that is focused, skilled, and effective. You'll learn from practitioners in the field who have developed successful international programs. You'll learn by doing—by developing project plans that will be implemented in real service organizations. And you'll learn with others who share your passion.
Highest Accreditation
Not all programs are accredited—something you never have to worry about at NU.
Exceptional Education
80+ years of experience and knowledge went into creating our courses.
Faith Integration
Every course includes a component that helps you relate the subject to your faith.
Faculty Who Care
Our instructors are experts who love students and bring out their very best.
Make a Living. Make a Difference.
After graduating from the International Community Development program, the Peace Corps selected Brian Humphries to direct a national youth initiative in the Dominican Republic. Today, he works for the Department of Labor to stimulate economic development. "The International Community Development program taught me how to be a trust-builder between people and organizations. The Department of Labor saw this skill set and hired me to apply it to their project."
Why Choose a Master's Degree in International Community Development at Northwest University?
Receive the highest accreditation possible.
We represent the gold standard in accreditation. You'll strengthen your professional credibility and graduate knowing that your degree is widely recognized and deeply respected.
Grow your career. Expand your influence.
Many organizations require a master's degree. Our Master of Arts in International Community Development program is designed for those who'd like to move their career to the next level and help others on a larger scale.
Maximize your cross-cultural influence.
We equip you to understand the culture of a given service context. Our core belief? You must know a culture deeply—and surrender yourself to the wisdom of those whom you serve—if you want your efforts to have maximum impact.
Deepen spiritually at a Christian university.
Our professors seek to incorporate components of spiritual growth alongside academic learning. Our premise? All truly effective service flows out of a sense of spiritual purpose and theological grounding.
Learn through hands-on experience.
Through intensive hands-on engagement with real-world challenges, you will learn to think critically and integrate the tools of project management, presentation, program evaluation, and qualitative research.
Focus on your passion.
Our program is unique in that it allows you to tailor your fieldwork, coursework, and thesis project to your specific interests. It's an approach that fosters true mastery of a particular area of praxis.
Begin Your Studies in Oxford With Our Online Global Hybrid
Then return to Europe to defend your thesis project. With our online global hybrid program, you have the opportunity to begin and end your online program with a week of intensive learning and exploration in Europe. More than just a chance to study together, these week-long trips will allow you and your peers to become both friends and central figures in each other's emerging professional networks. It's a unique program feature that will enrich your online learning experience.
Common Career Paths With a Master's Degree in International Community Development
Relief and Development Agencies
World Vision; World Concern.
Local Government
Health and Human Services; tribal relations consultant.
International Government
World Health Organization; United Nations.
Church Ministries
Missions director; urban outreach coordinator.
Corporate Relations/Philanthropy
Grant coordinator; community impact researcher.
Healthcare
Cultural communications consultant; minority rights advocate.
Project Management
Homeless shelter vocational trainer; orphanage director.
Education
Minority student advisor; literacy advocate; English teacher abroad.
Research
Immunization program design; program impact evaluation.
Hear From Our Graduates
Many of our International Community Development graduates have gone on to make the world a better place. Some have worked with local governments. Others have been employed by existing relief organizations. Still others have started their own organizations. All have been equipped for success. In this video, Joseph Rahm speaks about the agency he started to educate the next generation of leaders in Honduras.
Put Our 80+ Years of Experience To Work For You.