Empowering Communities through Faith

Degree Type

Undergraduate

Minor

Community Development

Pursuing a minor in Christian Community Development will allow you to fulfill Christ’s commandment to fully love your neighbor as yourself. This minor will not only prepare you to go into the professional field of community development, but it will help you to identify the communities you are already a part of and the ways that you can utilize your strengths to make a difference in those places.

100%

Of all resident students are provided on- or off-campus jobs

100%

Of all students receive financial aid

100%

Of all students provided with student loan repayment assistance

11:1

Faculty to student ratio provides students with personal attention

Career Opportunities

Become prepared to work for a number of non-profit organizations, government, social enterprises and financial institutions. Specialized areas include:

Civic Engagement

Community Organizing and Advocacy

Youth Programs

Employee Readiness

Affordable Housing

Financial Empowerment

Small Business Development

Internship Opportunities

Kuyper College has connections with multiple ministries and organizations in Grand Rapids. That is an advantage of our programs, our internships are with successful business in the area that work with the local community, and we find the perfect placement for our students. The list below—although not complete—shows the wide variety of placement opportunities available

Bridge Street Ministries

Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL)

Bethany Christian Services

City of Grand Rapids

Center for Community Transformation

Start your journey today

Program Outcomes

  • Students will learn the foundational concepts of community development

  • From within a biblical framework, students will be able to identify systemic injustice while learning practices and policies that can work towards shalom

  • Students will learn how to research issues in community development and then convey best practices to a diverse audience

  • Students will learn to collaborate with one another as well as with a diverse range of community partners, including those who have different worldviews, approaches, and knowledge.

  • Students will learn how to identity the assets that already exist within communities that can be utilized to solve complex problems

Learn from Professors with many years of real-world experience!

Our professor have real-world experience and many years in education. They will provide you with real-world lessons and connections to internships in community development organizations.

Andrew Zwart oversees the program, but students take courses with our Social Work and Business professors as well as adjunct faculty who are working directly in Community Development.

Andrew Zwart

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES, INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Program Curriculum

Students take courses with our Social Work and Business professors as well as adjunct faculty who are working directly in Community Development. In fact, two of the required courses are offered off campus at community development centers.

Introduction to Community Development

Nonprofit Management

Introduction to Social Work

Communities and Organizations

Business as Mission

Urban Cultural Immersion

How Justice Rolls

The Faces of Addiction

Majors & Programs

You will graduate with professional and biblical skills to think critically, communicate effectively as a Christ-centered leader.

KuyperWorks™

You will graduate with both an academic and a work transcript detailing your work experience for future employers.

Welcome

We invite you to explore Kuyper College to see if it could be where God wants to mold and shape you.

Plan A Visit

Our students, faculty, and staff are eager to meet you and help you discover how our community might also become yours.

Financial Aid

Tuition for first-year students will remain the same for four years and transfer students up to four years.

Scholarships

Kuyper College, community foundations, Federal and State Programs award thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants.

Residence Life

You will find comfortable and spacious suites at Schaal and Timmer Halls and Holts Apartments.

Spiritual Development

The Kuyper community will help you grow spiritually as you seek God’s direction for your life.