Online Bachelor of Arts in Community Advocacy and Social Policy
Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Arts in community advocacy and social policy provides you with the opportunity to explore issues of diversity, oppression and privilege. You’ll graduate with the advocacy and intervention strategies needed to make informed decisions, engage in social change and advocate for the communities you seek to serve.
Quick facts
Next start date: 01/13/2025
Total classes: 39
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
The skills you’ll develop in this bachelor’s program
This program provides you with the skills needed to act as a social change agent through policy analysis and community-based action, such as:
- Administrative and legislative strategies.
- Ethics.
- Mindfulness practices.
- Research methods.
- Social justice and human rights perspectives.
These skills and competencies will equip you to formulate strategies that advance social, economic and environmental justice, use social media and cyberactivism for advocacy efforts and evaluate the success of advocacy intervention efforts. You’ll develop a deep understanding of how social policies have adversely affected marginalized or oppressed populations, such as different racial/ethnic groups, individuals struggling with mental illness, elderly individuals and more. You’ll also acquire the community advocacy tools needed to address the social problems impacting these populations, with an emphasis on past and present challenges facing various groups in the southwest.
Tailor your studies to fit your career goals
In this program, you’ll choose 10 courses to match your career goals and interests from two key focus areas:
- Diversity and oppressed populations: This focus explores oppressed or marginalized populations and systems of oppression and domination.
- Social problems and interventions: This focus specializes in social problems that disproportionately affect members of oppressed populations and change strategies.
Both focus areas include five related courses. Regardless of the courses you choose within these focus areas, you’ll graduate with a deeper understanding of social problems and issues, how these issues have historically impacted society, how they have evolved and how they continue to influence the world today.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Community advocacy and social policy program courses
You’ll take a variety of courses covering topics including introductory ethics, diversity and oppression in a social work context, advocacy strategies and more. This program culminates in a final capstone project where you’ll explore your interests within the context of community advocacy and social policy.
The jobs you’ll be prepared for
This program prepares you to work within the social services sector across a variety of settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, mental health clinics, schools, hospitals and more. Additionally, this program provides a path to pursue graduate education. Common career examples include, but aren’t limited to:
Advocate
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Community Health Worker
Community Specialist
Counselor (General)
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
Social Services Director
Learn from instructors who have experience solving important social problems
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Learn from instructors who have experience solving important social problems
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
How to apply
first-year student
You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
A college that’s dedicated to the public good
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
#11
in social work research, according to the National Science Foundation, 2023.
#16
public school of social work, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2023.
#1
in the U.S. for innovation, according to U.S. News & World Report, 9 years, 2016–2024.
#1
public university in the U.S. chosen by international students, according to the Institute of International Education, 2022.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
