Community Development was the only academic program of the College of Community Development and Public Administration (CDPA), one of the pioneering colleges of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City when it opened classes in 1962. Through this academic program, the College was able to establish linkages with other institutions and engaged in several tie-up programs in community development.
The introduction of new academic programs in Public Administration and Social Work in the 70’s and 80’s respectively, gave way to the creation of separate departments and eventually renaming of the College into the present College of Public Affairs and the Department of Social Work, Community Development was reborn as a Department.
Since then, the Department has continuously upgraded its curricula, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and produced students who are presently occupying positions in both Government Agencies (Gas) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) engaged in community development work, either in administration, fieldwork, research, teaching and local media industry.
The Department has likewise continued to reach-out to LGUs, NGAs and NGOs through research and extension activities in the field of Community Development Planning and Administration, Participatory Research, Community Organizing, Mobilization and Organizational Development, Cooperatives, Trainings, and Project Development and Management. These activities are made possible through its practicum classes or through faculty– initiated tie-up programs with said institutions.
