At which campus can I study this program?
Begin Campus
Any Penn State Campus
End Campus
University Park
Program Description
Community, Environment, and Development is a multidisciplinary program that brings together economics and sociology to help students understand and address issues related to economic and community development, the environment and natural resources, and international development, and the critical interactions between these, both locally and globally. The major emphasizes critical thinking, core knowledge, and skills required for professional success working on community-level issues. Foundation (Level I) courses introduce students to key concepts in economics and sociology, and examine how these disciplines contribute to the basic content knowledge encompassing community and economic development and environmental economics and sociology. Level II courses build on the Foundation courses by extending the content knowledge to address the interrelationship between environment and natural resources and community and economic development. Coursework in Methods, Quantification and Communication is also required, including methods and techniques such as Geographical Information Systems and Geographical Information Analysis, statistics and survey research methods. Finally, students select among four options:
- Community and Economic Development,
- Environmental Economics and Policy,
- International Development,
- Social and Environmental Responsibility.
Students specialize in an option that further allows them to develop skills and competencies matching their specific education and career goals. Around 40 percent of students completing the program continue on to graduate school or law school, while others choose employment after graduation.
You Might Like this Program If...
- You are passionate about domestic or international development, environmental quality, or sustainability
- You would like a problem-oriented, customizable major that blends together economics, sociology, and other disciplines to give you a wide skillset
- You want small classes where professors know your name, and that emphasize discussion
- You are a “people person” and want a career that betters people’s lives
- You want a solid foundation for going to law school or graduate school
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Community, Environment, and Development, a minimum of 120 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 4-6 |
| Requirements for the Major | 90-92 |
21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GS courses, 9 credits of GWS.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol 
appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CED 275 | Community, Environment and Development Professional Seminar | 1 |
| CED 404 | Community, Environment and Development Research Methods | 4 |
| CED 417 | Power, Conflict, and Community Decision Making | 3 |
| CED 475 | CED Integrated Capstone Experience | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CED 152 | Community Development Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| CED 201 | Introductory Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 230 | Development Issues in the Global Context | 3 |
| CED 309 | Land Economics and Policy | 3 |
| CED 327 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| AGBM 101 | Economic Principles of Agribusiness Decision Making | 3 |
| or ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | |
| GEOG 160 | Mapping Our Changing World | 3 |
| or GEOG 260 | Geographic Information in a Changing World: Introduction to GIScience | |
| RSOC 11 | Introductory Rural Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 1 | Introductory Sociology | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers | ||
| Comparing Politics around the Globe | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CAS 100 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| or CAS 138T | Rhetoric and Civic Life II | |
| CMPSC 203 | Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases | 3-4 |
| or AGBM 106 | Agribusiness Problem Solving | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Rhetoric and Composition | ||
| Rhetoric and Civic Life I | ||
| Rhetoric and Civic Life I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Writing: Writing in the Social Sciences | ||
| Effective Writing: Writing in the Humanities | ||
| Effective Writing: Technical Writing | ||
| Effective Writing: Business Writing | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| College Algebra II and Analytic Geometry | ||
| Techniques of Calculus I | ||
| Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Requirements for the Option | ||
| Select an option | 30 | |
Requirements for the Option
Community and Economic Development Option (30 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| AEE 460 | Foundations in Leadership Development | 3 |
| CED 409 | Land Use Planning and Procedure | 3 |
| CED 430W | Principles of Community Economic Development | 3 |
| SOC 23 | Population and Policy Issues | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| ERM 411 | Legal Aspects of Resource Management | 3 |
| or BLAW 425 | Business and Environmental Regulation | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Community, Local Knowledge, and Democracy | ||
| Exploring Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Great Lakes Region: Lecture | ||
| Community Structure, Processes and Capacity | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 12 credit in specialization | 12 | |
Environmental Economics and Policy Option (30 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CED 329H | Intermediate Environmental & Resource Economics (Honors) | 3 |
| CED 429 | Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 431W | Economic Analysis of Environmental and Resource Policies | 3 |
| ECON 302 | Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| ERM 411 | Legal Aspects of Resource Management | 3 |
| or BLAW 425 | Business and Environmental Regulation | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 3 credits of Environmental Science from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 12 credits in specialization | 12 | |
International Development Option (30 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CED 420W | Gender and International Development | 3 |
| CED 425 | International Community and Economic Development | 3 |
| CED 445 | International Development Practice | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| CED 410 | The Global Seminar | 3 |
| or SOC 23 | Population and Policy Issues | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| International Development, Renewable Resources, and the Environment | ||
| International Economics | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Globalization and Its Implications | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 3 credits of International related from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 12 credit in specialization | 12 | |
Social and Environmental Responsibility Option (30 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CED 360 | The Corporation and Social Responsibility | 3 |
| CED 440 | Labor in the Global Economy | 3 |
| CED 460W | Policy, Politics and Perspectives on Social & Environmental Responsibility | 3 |
| CED 462 | Corporate Social and Environmental Performance | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| AGBM 308W | Strategic Decision Making in Agribusiness | 3 |
| or AGBM 460 | Managing the Food System | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 3 credits of biophysical science-based sustainability or environment from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select 12 credits in specialization | 12 | |
Program Learning Objectives
Students who complete an undergraduate major in Community, Environment & Development will have demonstrated the ability to:
Critical Thinking Skills and Scholarship:
- Read, interpret and critically analyze a broad range of community, environment and development sources.
- Use a combination of economic and sociological analytical tools to understand and explain complex community, environment and development issues.
- Explain community power structures, politics, social dynamics, diverse value systems, ideologies, cultures, and individual and collective human behavior.
- Use basic economic concepts of scarcity, choice, supply, and demand to explain typical community, environment and development problems.
- Describe important community, environment, and development policy issues occurring at community, state, national, and international levels.
- Explain the connections between households, communities, and regions in a globalizing world.
Research Skills:
- Think systemically and construct logical arguments in research design and research activities.
- Use basic qualitative research skills, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
- Use basic quantitative research skills, including descriptive secondary data analysis and bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis.
- Access, download, analyze and interpret common economic and social secondary data.
- Use basic mapping analysis skills.
Team and Community Engagement Skills:
- Work effectively as a member of a team.
- Demonstrate civic skills, such as openness to multiple perspectives, listening and reflection, and the ability to work across differences.
- Use common community engagement techniques, such as facilitation, meeting management, SWOT analysis, and brainstorming.
Communication Skills:
- Demonstrate reflective listening and respect for differences.
- Discuss ideas confidently and freely in an academic fashion, both with faculty and with other students.
- Write clear and coherent research papers and essays, appropriate for the audience.
- Competently and confidently make oral presentations in diverse professional and applied situations.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Charlene Paquette
Undergraduate Student Services Coordinator
201 Armsby Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0467
clp27@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Community and Economic Development Option, University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102 | 3 | ENGL 15, ENGL 30, or ESL 15‡† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | MATH 22, 110, or 140‡† | 3-4 |
| AGSC 100 | 1 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| CED 152* | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260† | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 13 | 15-16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 309* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203‡† | 3-4 | SOC 23 | 3 |
| CED 230* | 3 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| CED 275 | 1 | CAS 100, 100A, 100B, or 100C‡† | 3 |
| CED 404 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 17-18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 | CED 375, 400N, CEDEV 452, or RSOC 400N | 3 |
| ERM 411 or BLAW 425 | 3 | CED 327* | 3 |
| AEE 460 | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 475 | 3 | CED 430W | 3 |
| CED 417 | 3 | CED 409 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| Elective | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | Elective | 3-6 |
| 15 | 13.5-16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 121-126 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL/CAS 137 in the fall semester and ENGL/CAS 138 in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30 and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Only 15 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
- Students should complete CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
Environmental Economics and Policy Option, University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102† | 3 | ENGL 15, ENGL 30, or ESL 15‡† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | MATH 110 or 140‡† | 4 |
| AGSC 100 | 1 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| CED 152* | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260† | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 13 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 309* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203‡† | 3-4 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| CED 230* | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 |
| CED 275 | 1 | CAS 100, 100A, 100B, or 100C‡† | 3 |
| CED 404 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 17-18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | CED 417 | 3 |
| CED 327* | 3 | CED 329H | 3 |
| ECON 302 | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| Environmental Science Selection | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 475 | 3 | CED 431W | 3 |
| CED 429 | 3 | Elective | 3-4 |
| ERM 411 or BLAW 425 | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Elective | 3-6 |
| 15 | 13.5-17.5 | ||
| Total Credits 122-127 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL/CAS 137 in the fall semester and ENGL/CAS 138 in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30 and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Only 15 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
- Students should complete CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
- MATH 110 or MATH 140 is recommended for the EEP option.
International Development Option, University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102 | 3 | ENGL 15, ENGL 30, or ESL 15‡† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | MATH 22, 110, or 140‡† | 3-4 |
| AGSC 100 | 1 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| CED 152* | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260† | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 13 | 15-16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203‡† | 3-4 | CED 201* | 3 |
| CED 309* | 3 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| CED 230* | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 |
| CED 275 | 1 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| CED 404 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 17-18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| CED 327* | 3 | CED 410 or SOC 23 | 3 |
| CED 445 | 3 | International Science course | 3 |
| CAS 100, 100A, 100B, or 100C‡† | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AFR 440, CED 450, ECON 333, IB 440, PLSC 412, or PLSC 440 | 3 | CED 420W | 3 |
| CED 475 | 3 | CED 425 | 3 |
| CED 417 | 3 | Elective | 3-5 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| 15 | 13.5-15.5 | ||
| Total Credits 121-125 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL/CAS 137 in the fall semester and ENGL/CAS 138 in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30 and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Only 15 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
- Students should complete CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
Social and Environmental Responsibility Option, University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 152* | 3 | CED 230* | 3 |
| ENGL 15 or ENGL 30‡† | 3 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260 | 3 |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102† | 3 | MATH 22, 110, or 140‡† | 3-4 |
| CED 275 (Fall Only) | 1 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| AGSC 100 | 1 | ||
| 14 | 15-16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 309* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | CED 327* | 3 |
| STAT 200‡† | 4 | CED 404 | 4 |
| CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C‡† | 3 | AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203 | 3-4 |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| 16 | 16-17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 308W or 460 | 3 | CED 417 | 3 |
| CED 360 (Fall Only) | 3 | Biophysical Science-based Sustainability or Environment-related course | 3 |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | CED 440 (Spring Only) | 3 |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 | Specialization Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 462 (Fall Only) | 3 | CED 460W (Spring Only) | 3 |
| CED 475 (Senior Capstone) | 3 | Specialization Course | 3 |
| Specialization Course | 3 | Specialization Course | 3 |
| General Education - Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education - Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | Elective | 3-6 |
| 13.5 | 13.5-16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 118-123 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL/CAS 137 in the fall semester and ENGL/CAS 138 in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30 and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- 22-23 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Students should take CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
Community and Economic Development Option, Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 22, 110, or 140‡† | 3-4 | ENGL 15, ENGL 30, or ESL 15‡† | 3 |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102 | 3 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| First Year Seminar | 1-3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 13-16 | 14.5 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203‡† | 3-4 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | SOC 23 | 3 |
| CAS 100‡† | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260† | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 152* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| CED 230* | 3 | CED 327* | 3 |
| CED 275 | 1 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| ERM 411 or BLAW 425 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AEE 460 | 3 | CED 375, 400N, CEDEV 452, or RSOC 400N | 3 |
| CED 309* | 3 | CED 409 | 3 |
| CED 404 | 4 | CED 430W | 3 |
| CED 417 | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| CED 475 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 19 | 16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 124-128 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
Advising Notes:
- Only 15 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
- Students should complete CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
Environmental Economics and Policy Option, Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 110 or 140‡† | 4 | ENGL 15, ENGL 30, or ESL 15‡† | 3 |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102 | 3 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| First Year Seminar | 1-3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 14-16 | 14.5 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203‡† | 3-4 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260† | 3 |
| CAS 100‡† | 3 | Environmental Science Selection | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 152* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| CED 230* | 3 | CED 327* | 3 |
| CED 275 | 1 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| ECON 302 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| CED 404 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 309* | 3 | CED 329H | 3 |
| CED 429 | 3 | CED 417 | 3 |
| ERM 411 or BLAW 425 | 3 | CED 431W | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| CED 475 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 18 | 16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 125-128 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
Advising Notes:
- Only 15 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
- Students should complete CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
- MATH 110 or MATH 140 is recommended for the EEP option.
International Development Option, Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 22, 110, or 140‡† | 3-4 | ENGL 15, ENGL 30, or ESL 15‡† | 3 |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102 | 3 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| First Year Seminar | 1-3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 13-16 | 14.5 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203‡† | 3-4 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 |
| PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 | GEOG 160 or 260† | 3 |
| CAS 100‡† | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 152* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| CED 230* | 3 | CED 309* | 3 |
| CED 275 | 1 | CED 327* | 3 |
| CED 404 | 4 | CED 420W | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AFR 440, CED 450, ECON 333, IB 440, PLSC 412, or PLSC 440 | 3 | CED 410 or SOC 23 | 3 |
| CED 445 | 3 | CED 425 | 3 |
| CED 475 | 3 | CED 417 | 3 |
| International Science course | 3 | Specialty Area Course | 3 |
| Specialty Area Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 121-125 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
Advising Notes:
- Only 15 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
- Students should complete CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
Social and Environmental Responsibility Option, Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | General Education Course - Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 |
| RSOC 11 or SOC 1 | 3 | PLSC 1, 3, or 14 | 3 |
| AGBM 101 or ECON 102† | 3 | ECON 104† | 3 |
| ENGL 15 or ENGL 30‡† | 3 | MATH 22, 110, or 140‡† | 3-4 |
| First-Year Seminar | 1-3 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| CAS 100‡† | 3 | ||
| 13-15 | 16.5-17.5 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| General Education Course - Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡† | 3 |
| GEOG 160 or 260 | 3 | STAT 200‡† | 4 |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| AGBM 106 or CMPSC 203 | 3-4 | Specialization Course | 3 |
| General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| 13.5-14.5 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 152* | 3 | CED 201* | 3 |
| CED 230* | 3 | CED 327* | 3 |
| CED 275 (Fall Only) | 1 | Specialization Course | 3 |
| Specialization Course | 3 | CED 404 | 4 |
| Biophysical Science-based Sustainability or Environment-related course | 3 | General Education Requirement (GN, GA, GH) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CED 309* | 3 | CED 460W (Spring Only) | 3 |
| CED 360 (Fall Only) | 3 | CED 440 (Spring Only) | 3 |
| Specialization Course | 3 | CED 417 | 3 |
| AGBM 308W or 460 | 3 | CED 475 (Senior Capstone) | 3 |
| CED 462 (Fall Only) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 121-125 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
Advising Notes:
- 22-23 credits of General Education requirements may be applied toward major requirements.
- Students should take CED 152 as early in their academic plan as possible.
- Please consult with an academic adviser in the development of your plan as some courses are not taught every semester.
Career Paths
Community, Environment, and Development graduates have the skills and knowledge necessary to choose from a variety of fulfilling career paths in domestic or international development, environment analysis, or sustainability. Your career depends on the experience you make for yourself as a student. Faculty and professional academic advisers in the Community, Environment, and Development program support and serve students in career development and preparation, including career decision-making, tailoring the CED major to fit career goals, internship and job search strategies, interview preparation, and preparing for employment or graduate school.
Careers
With a Community, Environment, and Development degree, you may be prepared for a career working on community-level issues, such as economic and community development, sustainability, the environment and natural resources, and international development. Many graduates choose careers in environment/sustainability, corporate social responsibility, economic development, local government, community-based nonprofits, or local foods.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
About 40 percent of CED graduates go to law school or pursue graduate studies.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, SOCIOLOGY, AND EDUCATION
201 Armsby Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0467
ced@psu.edu