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Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development (Graduate Certificate)

Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development (Graduate Certificate)

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development (Graduate Certificate)

Charity, Community Development, Management, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, government, leadership, nonprofit

Working in an innovative community organization? Looking to develop new avenues for social change or community development? This certificate program orients you to exciting developments in social entrepreneurship.

Program description
Degree awarded: Certificate  Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development (certificate)

The social entrepreneurship and community development graduate certificate program provides a framework for harnessing entrepreneurial and enterprise opportunities and creating transformative responses to societal challenges. The program combines social entrepreneurship with community and social innovation, providing a basis for exploring capacity-building and fostering positive change for organizations, communities and societies.

The certificate is designed for students studying nonprofit leadership and management, social entrepreneurship, public policy, innovation and related fields across disciplines, and it can be added to an ASU master's degree program.

At a glance
Degree requirements

15 credit hours

Required Core (6 credit hours)
NLM 562 Social Entrepreneurship (3)
NLM 572 Community and Social Innovations (3)

Electives (9 credit hours)

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. resume
  4. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

International applicants are also required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and a financial guarantee statement.

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.
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.

Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/COnline 02/01Final
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:

  • Articulate their understanding of the concepts of social entrepreneurship and social innovation through discussion, readings, individual research and writing.
  • Apply class concepts through written analyses of organizations practicing community development, social entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
Career opportunities

Social entrepreneurship is at the leading edge of public, private and nonprofit innovation. Career options include executive officers, administrative officers, financial officers and foundation officers.

Contact information
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 WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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