Master of Education in Community Engagement

Master of Education in Community Engagement (Online)

Our distinctive community engagement master’s degree equips you for a career in nonprofit leadership, community organizing, or social change.

Now available as a fully online program! Finish in as little as 12 months.

Photography for Merrimack College brochure covers.

Graduate Info Session & Tour

Saturday, March 23, 2024 
from 10:30 am 
to 12:00 pm

Explore the Merrimack College community, gain tips on what makes a strong application, hear about our fellowship opportunities, take a tour and more!

Community Engagement Master’s Degree: Why Merrimack College?

Only a few U.S. education schools offer a master’s degree in community engagement—and none can match Merrimack’s flexibility, breadth and depth of expertise. The program stands out for its:

Interdisciplinary approach.

Our one-of-a-kind community engagement master’s program integrates concepts related to civic leadership, social justice, cultural diversity, service-learning and organizational change.

Outstanding real-world experience.

Merrimack’s competitive community engagement fellowships are with nonprofits that align with your academic interests and career goals, gaining extraordinary hands-on experience and professional mentorship.

Practical, relevant skills.

Our master’s in community engagement equips you with marketable expertise that employers value heavily. You’ll develop proficiencies in writing, research, public presentation and program evaluation, along with the ability to collaborate, persuade, inspire and lead. The community engagement master’s degree culminates in a self-designed capstone project that highlights your talents and displays your specialized subject-matter knowledge.

Flexible degree options.

We’ve designed our master’s program in community engagement to offer a wide range of options that fit your schedule. Whether you study  as a full- or part-time student, you’ll benefit from the same innovative curriculum, top-notch faculty, and close-knit sense of community. Not ready for a full degree program? Get started with our online Community-Based Nonprofit Leadership Certificate or our Diversity, Equity, and Social Change Certificate

Exceptional faculty.

The program is led by nationally prominent researchers and practitioners in community engagement. You’ll work in a small-class setting that guarantees extensive faculty face-time and one-on-one support, learning from accomplished scholars and community engagement specialists.

Hands-on community engagement.

As a vibrant hub of civic activity, Merrimack provides you with direct access to partner organizations throughout Greater Boston. You’ll have opportunities to practice community engagement on campus and off, interacting with institutions such as Catholic Charities, Lawrence Public Schools, ACT, Neighbors in Need, North Shore Community Development Coalition and Northern Essex Community College.

Program Format

  • Online*
  • Part-time or Full-time
* Note the online program requires synchronous class sessions.

Start Terms

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer III

VIEW APPLICATION DEADLINES

Community Engagement Shapes Values and Promotes Change

Merrimack’s community engagement graduate program attracts individuals who want to help communities, transform organizations and create a more just, equitable society. The program is committed to core values of inclusion, change and social justice, and it offers robust training for promoting these values through local activism and global citizenship.

Merrimack faculty and students apply the principles of community engagement to effect change on a number of fronts. You’ll have the opportunity to develop a capstone project, gain field experience, forge partnerships, and pursue careers related to community issues such as:

  • Economic justice
  • Public health
  • Educational access
  • Cultural diversity
  • LGBTQ+ issues
  • Environmental justice
  • International development
  • Immigration
  • Housing

There’s No Limit to What You Can Do With a Master’s in Community Engagement

Nearly 100 percent of our community engagement graduate students find jobs within a year of completing the master’s degree, working in niches that include nonprofit leadership, service learning, government service, community organizing, policy analysis, academic research and digital media strategy. Depending on which concentration you choose, Merrimack can help you prepare for a successful career in roles such as:

Community Organizations

  • Program Director
  • Fundraising and Development
  • Community Organizer
  • Communications and Outreach

University, Institutional, and Government Relations

  • Service Learning & Community Partnerships
  • Community & Government Relations
  • Social Policy
  • Advocacy

PreK-12

  • Youth Programming
  • Family Engagement
  • PreK-12 Service Learning
  • Training & Technical Assistance for Schools

Grad Chat Podcast

Join us in this episode of Grad Chat, where our focus is on Merrimack’s Master of Education in Community Engagement program. We are pleased to have Helena Liedtke, a current student in the program, joining us to share her personal experience through the program and her fellowship involvement. Don’t pass up this chance to learn more about Merrimack’s graduate programs!

Questions about the Master of Education in Community Engagement?

Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@merrimack.edu.

Schedule an Informational Call with the Program Director

Scholarships

Scholarships provide significant cost savings, and community engagement fellowships include a full-tuition scholarship.

Learn More

How to Apply

Create your own account. Apply to start your Master of Education in Community Engagement today.

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