Program details and sample curriculum
Community Economic Development Major Flyer.pdf
The Community Economic Development major prepares students to work with local, state, or federal government as well as non-governmental organizations in managing issues related to improving economic conditions in rural areas.
Topics include rural job creation, labor markets, growth-agriculture conflicts, and land-use management.
Examples of common core and major requirement classes
- Rural and Regional Development
- International Agricultural Development and Trade: Examination of the role of agriculture in less developed countries and how that role is affected by public policies.
- Foundations of Agribusiness: Introduction to the primary management tools as they relate to farm production enterprises and agribusinesses.
- Agricultural Production and Consumption Economics: Focuses on the economic principles of production, applications to decision-making and the allocation of resources for an agricultural firm, in addition to consumer behavior and demand for agricultural products.
Sample curriculum
TOTAL Credits = 120 credits
Undergraduate Catalog Course Descriptions
Individual programs depend on transfer credits, if applicable
- Fall Semester: AAEC 1005, ENGL 1105, MATH 1025, Pathways 2 class, Pathways 4 class = 15 credits
- Spring Semester: AAEC 1006, AAEC 2434, ENGL 1106, Pathways 4 class, Pathways 2 class = 15 credits
- Fall Semester: AAEC 3015 (1 credit), GEOG 2084, ACIS 2115, COMM 2004, Pathways 6-Design class, Pathways 7 class = 16 credits
- Spring Semester: AAEC 3004, AAEC 3324, Pathways 5F class, Minor/Area of Specialization class, Pathways 6-Arts class = 15 credits
- Fall Semester: STAT 3615, AAEC 3204, AAEC elective, Minor/Area of Specialization class, Free elective = 15 credits
- Spring Semester: AAEC 3024, AAEC 3014, ENGL 3774, AAEC 3604 or AAEC 3314, Free elective = 15 credits
- Fall Semester: AAEC 4324, AAEC 3424, AAEC elective, Minor/Area of Specialization class, Minor/Area of Specialization class = 15 credits
- Spring Semester: AAEC 4314, AAEC elective, Minor/Area of Specialization class, Minor/Area of Specialization class, Free elective (2 credits) = 14 credits
You will learn the following key skill sets from this major
- Economic analysis
- Community impact assessments
- Geographic informational analysis
Potential careers
- Extension agent
- Community engagement officer
- Economic developer
- Community and tourism assessor
- Community financial specialist
A highlight of companies who hire our graduates
- USDA Farm Service Agency
- Virginia Department of Housing
- AmeriCorps
- CropLife America
- Virginia Cooperative Extension
- World Health Organization
- Variety of community economic development offices