The first of its kind in the United States of America, Portland State University's (PSU) undergraduate program in Community Development prepares students for careers as leaders and change agents in addressing a myriad of social challenges.

The Community Development program empowers individuals and groups of people by giving them the skills they need to effect change within their communities. The curriculum promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity, equality and social justice. 

As a multi-disciplinary, social science program, students can customize their focus of study, drawing from the multitude of academic disciplines and departments within PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs. In addition to coursework, the Community Development program takes a hands-on approach, incorporating significant field research in which students work with agencies and organizations throughout the Portland metropolitan area.