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Program details and sample curriculum

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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

  1. Economic analysis
  2. Community impact assessments
  3. Geographic informational analysis

Potential careers

  1. Extension agent
  2. Community engagement officer
  3. Economic developer
  4. Community and tourism assessor
  5. 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