In this course, you’ll learn how to make a difference in local communities by working closely with schools, local councils, ecologists, Indigenous groups, social services organisations, resource companies, universities and other groups.

You’ll explore how to encourage people to get more involved in locally designed projects, experience different examples of community development projects and learn about the history of community work, policy and the diversity of communities. Your core units will include ‘Introduction to Community Development’, ‘Creative Ways to Work with Community’, ‘Social Policy and Community Action’, and ‘Indigenous Community Development’.

When you graduate, you will be well equipped for a career in local government, community services, remote area education, Indigenous communities, community arts and cultural development, overseas aid work, sustainable development, social work-related areas, or economic, social and urban planning.

At the end of your degree, you will graduate with the knowledge and practical skills needed to work in a range of scenarios.

6 reasons to study Community Development at Murdoch

• Throughout your degree, you will have the opportunity to intern with community groups, private organisations, non-government agencies (NGOs), or government departments through our Work Integrated Learning program.
• Study two majors in 3 years and graduate with 2 specialisations (for example, combining Community Development with International Aid and Development) to expand your expertise and career prospects.
• Alternatively, you can combine the Community Development major with two minors (for example, in Asian Studies and Australian Indigenous Studies) to further enhance your career prospects with 3 specialisations.
• You’ll create an e-portfolio of your work to showcase to employers when you graduate.
• Murdoch has received a 5-star rating for median graduate salary in the fields of Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences*.
• Murdoch is ranked number one in WA for full-time employment in Humanities, Cultural and Social Sciences*.
  *Source: The Good Universities Guide 2020

What you’ll learn

Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

• creative ways to work with community
• overseas aid and international development
• Indigenous community development
• social policy and community action
• sustainable urban communities.

With a degree in Community Development, you could work in local communities in a range of roles in Australia or overseas.

Careers could include:

• Community Project Manager
• Youth Engagement Officer
• Regional Development Coordinator
• International Aid/Development Worker
• Community Development Officer.