Master in Community Economic Social Development

Applications for the Sep 2026 intake are due by Aug 31, 2026; the tuition fee is 17,401 USD per year.

Gain unparalleled practical experience through a curriculum defined by extensive field placements, requiring a 150-hour work placement in your third year and a 300-hour placement alongside a major research project in your final year. As the only undergraduate program of its kind in Canada, the Bachelor of Arts in Community, Economic, and Social Development (CESD) is designed for students who are passionate about driving systemic change, advancing social and economic justice, and protecting human rights, particularly within northern, rural, and Indigenous contexts.

This interdisciplinary degree synthesizes knowledge from social work, Anishinaabe studies, economics, and business administration to provide a holistic understanding of community dynamics. Students benefit from the program's strong ties to the NORDIK Institute and the Institute of Peoples, Territories, and Pedagogies for Peace, offering unique opportunities for global engagement and decolonizing research. Whether through managing the student-led 'People's Garden' or participating in international learning experiences in countries like Brazil and Colombia, students graduate with a robust professional network and the practical expertise to thrive in government, non-profit, or cooperative sectors.

Specialization Tracks

• Local Economic Autonomy: Focuses on place-based socio-economic challenges, grant writing, and community sustainability. Graduates are eligible for the Technician-Aboriginal Economic Developer professional designation from CANDO.
• Community Services and Equity Studies: Examines social structures, human services delivery, and methods for addressing colonial inequity and advocating for marginalized populations.

Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, founded in 1967, is a close-knit campus with around 2,000 students that emphasizes undergraduate teaching and community engagement. Its regional setting provides a supportive environment for study and outdoor living, while academic programs focus on liberal arts, sciences, business and applied disciplines. The university is known for personalized learning, small class sizes and high faculty accessibility—qualities that suit students seeking direct mentorship and hands-on experience.

Curricula are designed to connect classroom learning with local and regional opportunities, including co-op experiences, internships and community-based projects. Faculty collaborate with local industry and Indigenous communities to provide experiential learning that builds employability and civic awareness. Student services support academic advising, career planning and research opportunities, helping learners translate study into practical outcomes.

International students are welcomed into a compact, friendly campus where support for arrival, housing and integration is prioritized. Campus clubs, volunteering and outdoor recreation make it easy to build connections beyond the classroom. For prospective students who value individualized attention, meaningful community ties and a learning environment that bridges theory with real-world application, Algoma offers a focused and supportive option in northern Ontario.