Certificate in Community Engagement
The certificate in Community Engagement provides a theoretical understanding of community engagement and an opportunity to explore the practical application of current best practices of community engagement. The certificate has been designed to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding of actively engaging communities in order to secure resources, provide human and social services, and/or evoke change. The certificate in Community Engagement is open to all students within all Colleges, regardless of major, as well as those from the community wishing to begin their academic journey.
Today’s professionals working in the nonprofit sector, acting as change agents or who are leaders of their communities, are faced with greater competition for resources within an increasingly interconnected community. This requires developing the ability to systematically design and implement processes to actively engage their communities in order to meet the needs of their stakeholders and achieve organizational objectives. This certificate emphasizes the practical applications and theoretical underpinnings of community engagement. These skills are helpful to those working in a variety of settings, including nonprofits, human services agencies, educational institutions, and/or government programs.
Students completing this certificate will meet the following goals in the 3 core courses:
Goal A: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the practical application of community engagement.
Goal B: Students will understand the theory related to community engagement.
Goal C: Students will learn to develop an effective community engagement plan.
Goal D: Students will analyze ethical considerations of community engagement.
Goal E: Students will demonstrate professional oral communication skills.
Goal F: Students will demonstrate competency in writing and formatting papers in a professional style.
Community Engagement consists of 15 undergraduate credits. Nine (9) credits make up the core of the certificate program, and students may choose six (6) credits from a menu of approved electives.
Note: Students are held to all prerequisite requirements; some students may require more than 5 courses to complete this certificate.
Curriculum
Core Requirements (9 credits)
SOC 303 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
SOC 312 | Community Health & Social Issues | 3 |
SOC 314 | Community Organizing & Advocacy | 3 |
Electives (6 credits)
Total Credits for Compliance certificate: 15