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Community Advocacy and Social Policy ,BA

Community Advocacy and Social Policy, BA

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Community Advocacy and Social Policy

Advocacy, Community Development, Community Organizing, Diversity, Oppressed Populations, Policy Analysis, Policy Change, Social Interventions, Social Justice, Social Services

Are you searching for your opportunity to explore issues of diversity, oppression and privilege and to examine advocacy and intervention strategies as preparation for engaging in social change? This program provides the tools you need to advance your social justice aspirations.

Program description

The BA program in community advocacy and social policy focuses on advocacy strategies through an in-depth exploration, analysis and comparison of social service systems and policies from an empowerment perspective.

The program emphasizes examining the needs of historically underserved individuals, families and communities. Policy analysis and social change are critical themes in developing an advocacy knowledge base, as are the equally important themes of prevention and social well-being. Students complete courses in two core areas: diversity and oppressed populations, and social issues and interventions.

While the Bachelor of Arts program in community advocacy and social policy is fully accredited regionally under the Higher Learning Commission, it is not accredited through the Council of Social Work Education because it does not lead to a BSW degree. Therefore, this degree does not fulfill a professional licensing requirement: a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work program.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to enter this program.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Apply social justice techniques to advance human rights, social and economic justice
  • Apply professional theories to working with diverse, oppressed and marginalized populations in both micro and macro practice
  • Identify and apply advocacy concepts and methods that support and advance social, economic and environmental justice
Global opportunities
Global experience

Global Education programs give students the chance to witness how policy, advocacy and social service systems function internationally, providing an opportunity for them to develop a valuable skill set that can give them an advantage in their career, as well as personal enrichment. Enhancing global awareness, communication competency and leadership skills through study abroad can better prepare a student for a career in social services.

Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, participation in one of the more than 300 Global Education programs encourages students to build communication skills that span intercultural boundaries, challenges them to adapt and persevere, exposes them to differences across the world that they can't experience from textbooks, and increases their ability to work with diverse groups of people.

Career opportunities

Graduates are prepared for employment in the social services arena, such as performing basic case management tasks, staffing hotlines and warmlines, making referrals to needed services, recruiting volunteers, and developing and providing training.

In addition, advocate positions are part of many organizations and areas, such as hospitals and the behavioral health system.

This degree program also prepares students to pursue graduate education.

Career example titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience, geographical location, and required advanced degrees or certifications may affect pay scales.


Career *Growth *Median salary
8.6%
$38,520
7.2%
$59,990
14.1%
$46,190
6.5%
$47,290
17.2%
$43,390
14.9%
$56,570
9.1%
$74,240
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information

School of Social Work | UCENT 800
social.work@asu.edu
602-496-0800

What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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