• Apply By
    Fall: April 1 | Spring: Nov 1
  • Admission GPA
    3.0+
  • Total Credits
    30
  • Format
    Partially online
    In person
  • Cost
    Tuition | Fees
    Financial Aid

Be a Community Engagement Champion

The Master of Professional Studies in Civic Engagement (CivE) is a program designed for professionals who are seeking a broad set of leadership skills, as well as deep expertise in a given area of community-focused practice. It blends a core of applied professional courses with elective courses designed around your professional and personal interests.

The CivE degree empowers emerging leaders by helping them build the skills they need to make a difference. So if you’re interested in improving the quality of life for individuals and communities, this degree can help you make a real impact.

But What Is Civic Engagement?

According to Civic Responsibility and Higher Education, edited by Thomas Ehrlich: "Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference." Watch the video below to learn more.

 

Why Minnesota, Why Now?

Because Minnesota is one of the most generous and engaged states in the country. And we need leaders with advanced professional, communication, and data skills to better serve our communities. 

 

Careers in Civic Engagement

Civic engagement professionals can work for organizations, corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and much more. Socially conscious leaders are needed at every level of employment, no matter the field.

Here are just a few potential job titles you could have:

  • Director of Equity and Community Engagement
  • Director of Immigration and Civic Engagement
  • Race Equity and Public Policy Strategist
  • Civic Engagement Strategist
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
  • Civic Engagement Manager
  • Policy Communications Manager
  • Communication and Engagement Manager
  • Data Coordinator for Civic Engagement
  • Program Manager of Engagement Services

Courses

Required Courses (18 credits)

Electives (12 credits)

Working with an advisor, you'll select courses from academic departments across the University of Minnesota related to your chosen track. Courses must be taken at the graduate level. Here is just a sampling:

Title Number Credits
Can We Feed the World Without Destroying It? GCC 5001 3
Life Course Inequality and Health SOC 8551 3
Seminar: Race, Representation, and Resistance GWSS 8260 3
Analysis of Discrimination PA 8312 4
Seminar in American Minority Literature ENGL 8300 3
Media Outlaws COMM 5231 3
Trends and Impacts in Arts and Cultural Leadership and Management ACL 5211 3
Policy in Sexual Health: Cutting Edge Analyses (offered online) HSEX 6011 3
Ethical Dilemmas and Legal Issues for Cultural Leaders ACL 5231 3
Culture, Place, and Community: Ways of Living Together in the 21st Century ACL 5261 3

 

You may take up to 6 credits of GCC (Grand Challenge Courses).

Title Number Credits
Global Survey of Gender and Public Policy PA 5601 3
Policy in Sexual Health: Cutting-Edge Analyses HSEX 6011 3
Climate Change Policy PA 5724 3
Diversity and Public Policy PA 5422 3
Natural Resource and Environmental Policy ESPM 5241 3
Human-Centered Service Redesign PA 5161 3
Ethical Issues in Global Health BTHX 5710 3
Intercultural Communication Processes COMM 5451 3
Whole Person, Whole Community: The Reciprocity of Well-Being CSPH 5118 3
Can We Feed the World Without Destroying It? GCC 5001 3
Global Venture Design: What Impact Will You Make? GCC 5005 3
Toward Conquest of Disease GCC 5007 3
Policy and Science of Global Environmental Change GCC 5008 3
Global Climate Challenge: Creating an Empowered Movement for Change GCC 5031 3
Pathways to Renewable Energy GCC 5011 3
Making Sense of Climate Change: Science, Art, and Agency GCC 5013 3
The Future of Work and Life in the 21st Century GCC 5014 3
Bioinspired Approaches to Sustainability: Greening Technologies and Lives GCC 5015 3
World Food Problems: Agronomics, Economics, and Hunger GCC 5017 3

 

Title Number Credits
Survey of Election Administration PA 5971 3
Elections and the Law PA 5972 2
Strategic Management of Election Administration PA 5973 2
Electives (5 or more credits)    
Election Design PA 5975 2
Voter Outreach and Participation PA 5976 1
Data Analysis for Election Administration PA 5982 2
Introduction to Election Security PA 5983 1
Elections Security: How to Protect America's Elections PA 5984 2

 

Tracks

Sculpture of woman holding scales and sword

Civic Life and Social Justice 

Civic organizations need leaders skilled in business and management in order to help their communities thrive. Your passion for improving the world around you, serving your community, and enacting social justice will be enhanced through this disciplinary focus. Engage in a multidisciplinary examination of contemporary civic and social issues.

 

Group of diverse young people standing arm in arm

Perspectives in Global Citizenship 

The opportunities and tensions that arise from living in a global society require a broad knowledge of what it means to be a global citizen. This focus prepares you for work in health care and health disparity nonprofits and NGOs that concentrate on climate change, wealth inequalities, maternal and child health, or diversity and equity issues. 

 

Man and woman at polling place

Election Administration 

This 12-credit online certificate, offered through the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, allows you to gain up-to-date expertise in election administration at the local, state, or national level. In this focus area, you will earn two academic credentials: the MPS in Civic Engagement and the Election Administration Certificate.

 

Young smiling woman with backpack

Self-Designed Track

If you are interested in a disciplinary area outside of the three described, work with your academic advisor and faculty to craft a personalized course of study that fits your professional goals.

Faculty

MPS in Civic Engagement faculty come from a range of community engagement, business, education, and legal backgrounds.

Meet the Faculty

Apply

Fall Application Deadline: April 1
Spring Application Deadline: November 1

We strive to be fair in the admissions process. Our program thrives when we have students from different backgrounds and cultural experiences. The admissions committee looks at all the pieces of your application equally to ensure that you will be successful in the program. We do not require standardized test scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

If you have questions about the admission requirements or would like advice on how to put together application materials, please contact Steve Wicks.

Admission Requirements

We welcome applications from students who have:

  • a bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary US institution or its foreign equivalent.
  • an undergraduate GPA of 3.0*.

* If you have a GPA below 3.0, please include an explanation in the extenuating circumstances part of your professional statement.

Application Checklist

Your complete application will include:

  • An online application
  • A professional statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A writing sample
  • College transcripts
  • A resume or curriculum vitae
  • English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
  • An application fee

Ready to take the next step and start gathering your materials?

Prepare Your Application Materials

Admissions Advising

Graduate enrollment advisor Steve Wicks is happy to answer your questions about the Civic Engagement program and the application procedure.

 

Or you can give Steve a call at 612-301-6127.

Do you have a more detailed question or want to tell us a little bit about yourself before the meeting? Fill out this brief questionnaire.

Meet Steve in person at these upcoming events

Oct
14

Life Sciences Fair

12:00 pm

Our Stories

Newsletter Sign-up

Do you want to receive:

  • snapshots of how other students put their education to work on the job?
  • ideas about how to fund your program?
  • career-boosting tips and inspiration?
  • stories about key faculty?
  • highlights on core courses?
  • generally interesting news about the program?

You can sign up for periodic updates here and we'll deliver these and more right to your inbox.

Important Links