PhD Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in community resources and development prepares you to become a scholar and leader who advances knowledge and practice in community development. The program emphasizes creating healthy, sustainable and equitable communities through interdisciplinary research, teaching and collaboration. You pursue advanced study in areas such as nonprofit leadership and management, parks and recreation, tourism development and community development studies.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (24 credit hours) CRD 502 Statistical and Data Analysis (3) CRD 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development (3) CRD 610 Sustainable Communities (3) CRD 620 Community Research Methods (3) CRD 640 Research Seminar in Community Resources and Development I (3) CRD 650 Research Seminar II (3) CRD 683 Fieldwork (3) advanced statistics or methods (3) Electives or Research (48 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) CRD 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curricular Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree can be used for this degree.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for research-oriented and leadership careers in higher education, government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Career paths include positions such as university professor, think tank researcher, independent scholar, consultant, foundation officer, government officer and corporate social responsibility officer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants must have earned a master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts cover letter current and professional resume research statement three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. International applicants are also required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and a financial guarantee statement. The minimum TOEFL iBT® score is 4, or 80 (taken at at testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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