Economic & Community Development
In this concentration, students will be equipped to work at the intersection of public policy and economic development, helping make public policy more effective and communities more successful.
Program overview
The Economic and Community Development concentration prepares students to evaluate government decisions on economic growth, land use planning, and the delivery of public services. By combining policy analysis with applied economic tools, this concentration prepares graduates to work at the intersection of public policy and economic development, leading initiatives that drive growth and foster vibrant communities.
Why study Economic & Community Development?
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What can you do with a MPA in Economic & Community Development after graduation?
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Featured Courses
HBS 503: Administrative Law and Regulatory Policymaking
Legal foundations of the administrative state. Agency implementation of legislation through rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication. Legislative oversight, executive control, and judicial review of agency actions.
HBS 544: Planning and Land Use
Regional planning within a legal, regulatory, social, and political context. Environmental and sustainable development. Role for public, private, and nonprofit entities in affecting regional performance. Project evaluation, economic impact analysis, economic development incentives, including tax-increment financing and development impact fees and taxes. Community engagement. Land use regulation and zoning.
HBS 523: Regional Economics
Sources of regional economic growth and development and the spatial distribution of people (including migration) and business. Effects of policy on regional economic activity, urban/rural land use, and the role of public infrastructure. Regional spillovers and policy coordination.
“Because of the support from the MPA program’s faculty and administration, my introduction to public administration has been incredibly welcoming and informative. Not only do I feel more proficient in understanding public administration as a discipline, but I also feel immense gratitude for how the knowledge I have gained here has positively impacted my professional life.
Kaitlyn bare
Class of 2026
