Community, Environment, and Development Major
Build the Skills to Create Change
The Community, Environment, and Development (CED) major prepares students to take action on real-world sustainability and quality-of-life challenges. We tackle sustainability, land use, local food and economic systems, government functions, and corporate responsibility with one goal: balancing environmental care with better quality of life.
Build critical thinking, data analysis, policy, teamwork, and leadership skills while learning to work across communities and organizations. Through interactive classes, case studies, projects, internships, and a capstone experience, you'll turn ideas into action. Graduates are in careers across government, nonprofits, and the private sector, as well as graduate and professional programs.
Tools to Put Your Vision in Motion
CED is for students who want to make a difference and are willing to do the work to make it happen. You'll learn to think critically about complex challenges, consider diverse perspectives, and develop practical skills that turn ideas into action. Through hands-on learning and collaboration, you'll explore solutions that make real, lasting change.
This is a major for students who care about people, communities, organizations, and the environment. You bring the passion, and we’ll help you set it in motion.
CED is the right major if you’re:
- Driven by passion for positive change
- Curious about how communities, organizations, and systems work
- Interested in solving complex problems and working across sectors
- Eager to move beyond ideas and develop practical skills for change
- Looking for a flexible, interdisciplinary major with diverse career pathways
See the University Bulletin for details on program requirements, suggested academic plan, and more.
One Major, Two Options
Community and Economic Development
Strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity. Work with local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and community stakeholders to create strategies that support sustainable growth, improve quality of life, and help communities thrive.
Example courses
- Principles of Community Economic Development
- Municipal Governments: Finance, Planning & Impact
- Grant-Writing, Non-Profit & Small Organization Management
- Facilitation and Participatory Engagement: Leading Groups & Building Consensus
Social and Environmental Responsibility
Help organizations balance business goals with social and environmental impact. Learn how to evaluate sustainability practices, support responsible decision-making, and help organizations create long-term value for people, communities, and the environment.
Example courses
- The Corporation and Social Responsibility
- Management and Organization
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Analysis and Reporting
- Policy, Politics and Perspectives on Social & Environmental Responsibility
Ag Journeys
“You supply the passion, CED provides the tools.”
– Amelia Wyckoff
Learning Outside the Classroom Walls
The CED experience extends far beyond your courses. You’ll apply what you're learning, build professional connections, and explore potential career paths through experiences that help you grow.
Craft your experience
Related clubs and service opportunities
- Community, Environment, and Development Club
- Alternative Breaks
- EcoReps
- Student Farm Club
- See all clubs and teams
Example internships
- Marketing intern for community farmers market
- Community service associate at a city food bank
- Planning intern for a municipal government agency
- Communications intern for social impact agency
- Climate and energy program intern at nonprofit consumer advocacy organization
- Congressional intern in state government
- Community engagement summer intern with university extension
Sample capstone projects
- Evaluate expanding a residential composting program
- Assess the use of energy-efficient practices by a township’s businesses
- Measure the impact of a local free health care clinic
- Conduct a community needs assessment in a nearby town
- Assess the effectiveness of a business’s sustainability practices and make recommendations for improvement
Popular study abroad
- Politics, social justice, and language in Chile
- Sustainable development studies in Costa Rica
- Gender and development in Honduras
- Economic, community, and agricultural development in Kenya
- Environmental change in Bhutan
A Practical, Workforce-Ready Degree—And a College Experience You’ll Love
CED graduates turn purpose into action across government, nonprofit, and private sectors, helping communities and organizations address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Our alumni out in the world
- Corporate and social responsibility
- Sustainability analysis
- Charitable trusts
- GIS analysis
- Land development consulting firms
- Community development
- Environmental and public interest law
- Law and public policy
- Corporate partnerships
- Energy and other nonprofits
- Program management at regional development agencies
- County planning
CED Career Examples
A CED degree can open doors to a wide range of careers and pathways. Here are just a few examples.
Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Professional
Corporate sustainability and responsibility professionals help organizations balance business goals with environmental and social impact. They work in sustainability; environmental, social, and governance (ESG); corporate responsibility; supply chain management; compliance; reporting; or stakeholder engagement. Their work often includes evaluating organizational performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping organizations create long-term value for people, communities, and the environment.
Urban and Regional Planner
Urban and regional planners help communities make decisions about land use, housing, parks, economic development, and public infrastructure. They analyze data, engage stakeholders, develop plans, and work with public officials, businesses, and residents to implement community goals and improve quality of life.
Attorney
A CED degree can provide strong preparation for law school and careers in areas such as environmental law, land use and development, public policy, municipal law, and nonprofit law. Attorneys help clients navigate legal issues, interpret regulations, advocate for policy solutions, and address challenges that affect communities, organizations, and the environment.
Economic Developer
Economic developers help communities strengthen local economies and expand opportunities. They work with businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders to attract investment, support entrepreneurship, create jobs, and develop strategies that promote long-term economic growth and community vitality.
Community Developer
Community developers work with residents, organizations, and local leaders to strengthen communities and improve quality of life. They help identify needs, build partnerships, facilitate engagement, and develop programs and initiatives that address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research issues, evaluate programs, and develop recommendations that help governments, nonprofits, and organizations make informed decisions. They may work on topics such as economic development, sustainability, housing, transportation, workforce development, public health, or community resilience.
Environmental Compliance Specialist
Environmental compliance specialists help organizations understand and meet environmental laws, regulations, and sustainability standards. They may conduct assessments, monitor compliance, prepare reports, and work with teams to reduce environmental risks and improve environmental performance.
Real Estate and Land Developer
Real estate and land developers help shape communities through residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. They work at the intersection of development, planning, finance, and sustainability, balancing economic goals with environmental considerations and community needs.
Education and Outreach Professional
Education and outreach professionals help organizations engage and inform diverse audiences. They develop programs, coordinate events, build partnerships, communicate complex information, and inspire participation on issues related to communities, sustainability, economic development, and public engagement.
Community, Environment, and Development Students in the News
May 6, 2026
Undergraduate research helps launch geography senior’s next chapter
Penn State senior Isabel Rivera found her passion through undergraduate geography research that took her from classroom learning and data analysis to fieldwork in South Africa.
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January 15, 2026
College of Ag Sciences course supports outdoor learning for South Fayette pupils
In early December, students enrolled in a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences course partnered with high school students in the South Fayette Township School District in McDonald to design innovative outdoor learning spaces that promote wellness and hands-on learning.
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November 13, 2025
World Food Prize event on rebuilding Ukraine co-hosted by College of Ag Sciences
Leaders from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences helped to lead discussions on rebuilding Ukraine’s agricultural sector during the 2025 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue, held Oct. 19-25 in Des Moines, Iowa.
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August 27, 2025
Chapel Intern puts sustainable development into practice
Ben Lindgren, a Schreyer Scholar, interned with Whole Foods Market and Amazon in Austin, Texas, assessing sustainability practices through the Chapel Executive Internship Program.
Read More
Explore more
Resources
- Admissions
- Tuition and Financial Aid
- Scholarships
- Preparing for Veterinary School
- Student Life
- Study Abroad
- Internships
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
See the University Bulletin for details on program requirements, suggested academic plan, and more.
Contact
- Director of Student Recruitment and Activities
- Email mnm11@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-3942
