Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning

Certificate in Management of Community Organizations

Many people who work in community organizations are "accidental managers"—they started organizing or providing a direct service because of their deep commitment to an issue, and several years later they face the challenge of administering growing, complex organizations.

The certificate in Management of Community Organizations (MCO) offers professional management training within the framework of the social, economic, and political values that shape the nonprofit sector. The program's goal is to train people with a commitment to social concerns and effective management who wish to work at the community level. Participants share a commitment to working to improve the housing, employment, health, and the overall quality of life for low-income groups and communities.

Course Requirements

Twelve credits are required to obtain the MCO certificate. Most courses are three credits, but the UEP department also offers one-credit modules as noted below. Students choose the courses from a combination of MCO core courses and MCO skills and urban and social policy electives. Students must select at least one core course as part of their program of study.

MCO Core Courses

Select at least one core course from the following:

  • UEP 230 Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution (Spring and Summer)
  • UEP 251 Economics for Planning and Policy Analysis (Spring)
  • UEP 253 Financial Analysis and Management (Spring)
  • UEP 256 Program Evaluation (Fall)
  • UEP 271 Community Economic Development (Fall)
  • UEP 276 Leadership and Organizational Change (Fall)

MCO Course Electives

Select up to three skills and urban and social policy electives from the following:

  • UEP 161 A Writing and Public Communication (Summer)
  • UEP 188 Seminar on Government and the Family (Spring)
  • UEP 191B Philanthropy and Fundraising (Summer)
  • UEP 194A Community Engagement: Advanced Techniques, Examples and Outcomes (Fall)
  • UEP 194-02 The Gap Between Law and Justice (Fall)
  • UEP 205 Urban Planning and Design (Fall)
  • UEP 213-01 Housing Policy (Fall)
  • UEP 249-02 Communications and Media (one credit (second half) Spring)
  • UEP 275 Policy Implementation and Innovation (Fall)
  • UEP 282 Social Policy for Children and Families (Fall)
  • UEP 284 Developing Sustainable Communities (Spring)
  • UEP 293-02 Community Practice (three credits (Fall))
  • UEP 293-05 Solidarity Economy Movements Rising (Fall)
  • UEP 294-03 Effective Organizations (one credit (second half) Spring)
  • UEP 294-19 Special Topics: Anchor Institutions and Community Revitalization (Fall)
  • UEP 294B Jobs that Work (Spring)
  • Students may substitute other Tufts graduate courses, subject to the approval of the certificate advisor. Course offerings may vary from year to year.

Faculty Contact

For additional information about this certificate, please contact Laurie Goldman.