Introduction

A community is defined as the aggregate of persons who share common characteristics such as geographic, professional, cultural, racial, religious, or socio-economic similarities. Location, race, ethnicity, age, occupation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds can also define a community. The substance of shared element varies widely, from a situation of interest to lives and values.

Development in the context of this course refers to the advancement of the management and use of natural resources to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of human life. It is a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage). It is the systematic use of knowledge or understanding directed towards the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods.

Community Development therefore is the process or effort of increasing a positive outcome within a community by linking individuals and organizations working towards common ends. The people who are marginalized or living in poverty work together to identify their needs, create change, exert more influence in the decisions that affect their lives and work to improve the quality of their lives, the communities in which they live, and the society of which they are part. Organizations on the other hand build the capacity of communities and provide financial assistance and other resources such as values and materials for sustainable development.

Community development as a process involves conception, planning, and implementation of projects or activities, which create improvements in (or reduce the extents of decline in) the living standards of people in a particular community.

It is a significant study for students at institutions of higher learning, as it teaches them how individuals interact with others and learn their culture in order to function properly within it. It has to be noted that 77 percent of Tanzanians live in rural areas (http://www.tanzania.go.tz/census/), according to the Tanzanian 2002 census. However, this degree programme deals with both urban and rural development, it prepares students to adopt and assist both kinds of communities, as the late Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere stated in his last words on education: “We must educate our young people for the real life which they are going to live in Tanzania. Even as we prepare ourselves as we must prepare ourselves for a competitive life in the Global Village, we must not forget that our corner in that Global Village is in Tanzania: And for most Tanzanians that corner is going to be in rural Tanzania or the informal sector of urban Tanzania.”

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The student’s admission requirements are based on the following conditions and categories:

Category A: Direct Entry

Applicants eligible for direct admission to the Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) degree programme must have:

1. Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with at least three credits obtained prior to sitting for the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSEE).
   AND
2. Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) with at least two principal level passes. The total points from any two principal passes should not be less than 2.5.

Category B: Equivalent Entry (Diploma holders)

Applicants eligible for equivalent admission to the Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) degree programme must have either:

1. Diploma of an average of grade B or above in Community Development, Rural Development, Agriculture Extension or related fields. approved by SMMUCo
   AND
2. Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with three credits or five passes.
3. (c) Meet entry requirements at an accredited University in the applicant’s home country for international applicants subject to approval by the SMMUCo

Category C: Mature Age Entry

1. Must be 25 years of age or older in the year of application.
2. Must sit and pass examination in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) offered by the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU)
   
   Note: Applicants fulfilling the above conditions must also meet the specific admission requirements listed under the faculty for the programme they wish to pursue.