Master of Arts in Regional, Economic and Social Development
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The Master of Arts in Economic and Social Development of Regions is designed to serve students from a variety of backgrounds. It attracts recent under-graduates from liberal arts fields such as social sciences (Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science) and History, and also from practice-oriented fields such as Management, Education, and Engineering.
For those already working in public or private sector fields related to economic and social development, it can enhance skills and provide opportunities for career advancement. It is specifically designed to speak to the interests of international students as well as domestic ones.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume professional roles in local, state, and national government agencies (in the United States and abroad); in research, consulting, and planning aspects of business; and in non-profit organizations working on economic or social development. Students who choose to do so will also be prepared to go on to doctoral programs in social sciences, history, public policy, planning, and management.
In the Master’s program, courses can be selected to focus students in one of seven degree concentrations:
- Business, Technology, and Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Gender and Development
- Global Development
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Regional and Community Development
- Social and Historical Analysis
Admissions Requirements
The Regional Economic and Social Development master's program at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell is designed not only for recent college graduates, but also for older, non-traditional, and mid-career students with experience in a variety of work and community settings. The requirements for admission include:
1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution college or university.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 or better. Applicants must submit an official transcript from their undergraduate institution.
3. Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test. (Use of GMAT scores may be approved by the graduate coordinator.) Students for whom English is not a national language must also submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
4. Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the educational and/or professional performance of the applicant.
5. A personal letter including a statement about the applicant's professional interests, educational and work qualifications, and future goals.
6. A curriculum vitae summarizing education and work experience.
7. An interview may be requested by the Graduate Admissions Committee.
8. Proof of residency.
Students may be admitted in one of two categories:
1. Matriculated student. A fully accepted degree candidate who meets all criteria.
2. Matriculated with conditions. From time to time, a student may be accepted conditionally into the program. To become a fully matriculated student, the student must receive at least a 3.0 grade point average in nine credit hours of Regional Economic and Social Development graduate level courses, while also completing any conditions established by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Conditional matriculation requires that students meet conditions 1 and 2 above.
Part-Time and Full-Time Study
MA students may attend either full-time or part-time. Most courses will be scheduled in the evening. Courses will be offered in fall and spring terms, and some courses may be available during the summer. Students taking a full-time load of 12 credits per semester can finish the program in three semesters. Students taking 9 or more credits in a semester will be considered full-time students.
Transfer Credit
Matriculated students in Regional Economic and Social Development may transfer up to 12 credits of course work completed at other accredited universities, provided that such courses are within the content area of Regional Economic and Social Development, and do not involve credit for field experience or professional work. Such transfer credit is subject to the approval of the Department Graduate Curriculum Committee and the Graduate School.
51视频 Requirements
A total of 30 academic credits, at least 18 of which must be taken at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a grade average of B or better, is required for completion of the degree.
The course of study includes a required 15 credit core:
57.503 Work, Technology, and Training (3 credits)
57.506 Research Methods in Economic and Social Development (3 credits)
57.511 Dynamics of Power and Authority, Diversity, and Inequality (3 credits)
57.513 Foundations of Comparative Regional Development (3 credits)
57.598 Organizational Dynamics in Regional Development (3 credits)
The course of study must also include one of the following:
57.746 Master's Thesis (6 credits in a 33-credit program)
-OR-57.733 Master's Project (3 credits in a 30-credit program)
The remaining 12 credits can be satisfied in a wide variety of ways. Students are encouraged to take advantage of concentrations that specify 12 credits of additional course work in particular areas. However, students are also encouraged to tailor their program to achieve their own learning and career goals, by combining courses, independent study, and practica as appropriate. Up to 12 credits may be taken outside the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development. Non-core course selections must be approved in advance by the student's graduate advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Each newly matriculated student in the program will be assigned to an academic advisor from among the faculty of the graduate program. The student will meet with his/her academic advisor on a regular basis throughout the course of study to discuss course selections, planning for practica, and the development of the thesis or project. In particular, all non-core course selections require prior approval from the academic advisor. Each student will, in addition, select a faculty member to supervise his/her thesis or project. The student will retain his/her academic advisor to provide guidance on selection of remaining courses.
Thesis or Project
The capstone to the degree program is a thesis or project demonstrating the student's mastery of the field. Typically, the thesis (6 credits) involves a substantial piece of research in economic and social development, whereas the project (3 credits) involves carrying out and documenting a professional problem-solving activity. In some cases, more in-depth problem-solving activities may qualify for thesis status. Thesis or project work is supervised on an ongoing basis by the student's thesis/project supervisor.
Concentrations
Students are encouraged to take advantage of concentrations that combine specified courses to create curricula focused on particular subject areas and professional goals. A brief description of each concentration follows; for more detailed information see the course descriptions under each heading below.
Concentrates on the knowledge and skills needed to understand and manage businesses’ interfaces with society, public policy, and technology.
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Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses |
Courses from other departments |
Examines how corporate decisions and government policies affect changes in ecosystems at the local, national and global levels. Examines strategies for building a sustainable economy and society.
Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses Courses from other departments
57.509 – Regional and Urban Environmental Law and Policy
57.518 – Comparative Environmental Studies
57.514 – Community Mapping
57.515 – Politics and Economics of Public Policy
18.503 – Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
18.523 – Air Pollution Control
19.500 – Introduction to Work Environment
19.550 – Environmental Law and Policy
19.659 – Cleaner Production
87.572 – Energy and the Environment
Focuses on gender inequalities and diverse gender roles, and how these interact with families, technologies, workplaces, and communities. Explores the role of public policy and social action.
Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses Courses from other departments
57.504 – Gender Differences at Work
57.516 – Globalization, Work, & Family
57.519 – Science, Technology, and the Economy
57.605 – Social Movements and Empowerment
57.537 – Development Principles for Developing Economies
44.620 – Family Violence
44.560 – Gender, Race, and Crime
47.504 – The Family System
47.505 – Work and Family
47.523 – Women in the Community
47.526 – Workplace Diversity
Analyzes the globalization of economies, cultures, and ecosystems. Assesses responses to globalization on the part of businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations. Addresses both developing and industrialized countries.
Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses
57.516 – Globalization, Work, & Family
57.518 – Comparative Environmental Studies
57.537 – Development Principles for Developing Economies
57.515 – Politics and Economics of Public Policy
57.517 – Information Economy and Regional Development
57.605 – Social Movements and Empowerment
Provides tools for analyzing and resolving conflicts, from the community level to the global level.
Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses Courses from other departments
57.512 – Conflict Resolution
57.550 – Analyzing, Peace, Violence, & War
57.504 – Gender Differences at Work
57.516 – Globalization, Work & Family
57.518 – Comparative Environmental Studies
57.558 – Practicum in Peace and Conflict Studies
57.605 – Social Movements and Empowerment
57.515 – Politics and Economics of Public Policy
44.452 – Terrorism
44.622 – Intimate Partner Violence
47.522 – Psychology of Diversity
47.545 – Community Organization and Change
57.553 – Modern Middle East Politics
57.554 – Latin American Politics
Concentrates on the knowledge and skills needed to understand and manage businesses’ interfaces with society, public policy, and technology.
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Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses |
Courses from other departments |
Emphasizes analyzing and acting on the social aspects of development, including income distribution and workplace issues.
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Strongly recommended courses Other recommended courses |
Courses from other departments |
Undergraduate majors in related fields at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell may enroll in a BA/MA or BS/MA program that allows students to complete both degrees in five years. Application for this program typically occurs in the junior year. Additional information is available from the Graduate Coordinator.