Roger Williams University's Institute for Public Policy and the School of Continuing Studies, in partnership with the Housing Network of Rhode Island, have come together to offer courses in community development. These courses are aimed at enriching the professional development of those already working in the field of community development - where public policy, affordable housing advocacy, finance, and government regulation come together. It also offers newcomers the opportunity to develop a useful skillset toward a new and exciting career.
Special thanks goes to The Rhode Island Foundation for their generous support of this partnership.
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- Tuition for these courses follows the standard evening classroom rate of $801* per course
- A Semester Fee of $20 also applies
*Scholarships may be available to Housing Network members as well to Municipal and State of Rhode Island staff members. Please contact the Housing Network by email or at (401) 521-1461 for more information.
- Registration for these courses requires no formal admission process, however an application is required for student management purposes
- Registration will be open through January 28, 2009
- Click here for an application.
The courses in this program are currently all held at our convenient downtown Providence location at:
150 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Required Course:
PA 430 41 Housing Development Skills (Classroom) Wednesdays 6:00-9:45 P.M. Providence
This course will provide a start to finish overview of the necessary steps for housing and real estate development processes. It will start from needs analysis and early design/ pro forma development, work through building partnerships and support for the project, and on through procurement and management, with some time spent securing resources for housing development.
Electives:
PA 430.31 Non-Profit Strategic Planning (Directed Seminar) Thursdays & Online 6:00-8:00 P.M. Providence (every other)
Leaders and managers of non-profit organizations must be effective strategists if these organizations are to fulfill their mission, meet their mandates, satisfy their constituents, and create public value in the years ahead. Strategic planning is a set of concepts, procedures, and tools designed to assist leaders and managers with these tasks. Since strategic planning is both a creative and participatory process, all members of these organizations will at some point take part in a strategic planning process and knowledge of these concepts, procedures, and tools will assist these members contribute to the organization’s success. If you are a leader, staff worker, volunteer or board member of a non-profit organization, this class will assist you in understanding the process of Strategic Planning and your role in it.
SHS 417.31 Human Resource Development (Directed Seminar) Thursdays & Online 6:00-8:00 P.M. Providence (every other)
Although Human Resource Development (HRD) is a fairly young field of academic study, it is well established in the field of practice. The purpose of HRD is to focus on the resource that humans bring to the success equation – both personal success and organizational success. The foundation of personal success lies in individual development and performance management and the foundation of organizational success lies in career and organizational development. This course will provide an overview of the theories and practices of HRD. It will touch on the broader topics of learning in adulthood, motivation and reward, instructional design and change strategies. This course will be appropriate for any person in any organization who is charged with any of these areas. It is also appropriate for anyone interested in entering this field.
PA 201.91 Public Administration (Online)
This course introduces the theory, forms, and practice of public administration at the national, sub-national, and international levels. It emphasizes administrative theories, concepts of bureaucracy, the environment of public service, and the role of administrators in government.
SHS 411.91 Grant Writing (Online)
This course provides a working knowledge of the various sources of funds available to the grant writer as well as the terminology and the components (problem statements, objectives, methodology, evaluation, budget) of various funding applications and instruments. At the conclusion of the course, the student will have the skills to do basic research for a grant proposal and to write a proposal.
SOC 234.91 The Family (Online)
This course is an analysis of the family as a social institution and intimate group. Topics include the impact of industrialization, marriage and divorce, gender roles, parenthood, the influence of social class, and variations in lifestyle and family structure. The focus is on the contemporary U.S. society, with some cross-cultural comparative material.
Required Courses:
PA 430.41 Elements and Issues in Community Development (Classroom) Tuesdays 6:15-9:00 Providence
A brief history of the profession and selected classical theories of community development. Examples of problems faced by community development practitioners as well as opportunities, experimental and novel approaches being tested in the profession, and a survey of best practices. The course will conclude with a call to action.
PA 430.42 Sustainable Community Economic Development (Classroom) Mondays 6:15-9:00 Providence
The definition and classic purpose of economic development will be explored, as well as, strategies for long-term sustainable initiatives. The course will include a review of employment and economic indicators, micro-enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the nexus of housing, community development with economic development.
Electives:
TBA
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