Online Bachelor of Arts in Community Advocacy & Social Policy
The community advocacy and social policy program gives you the opportunity to explore issues of diversity, oppression and privilege. You will develop advocacy and intervention strategies that will allow you to make informed decisions to better engage in social change and advocate for the communities you seek to serve.
Quick facts
Next start date: 06/29/2023
Total classes: 39
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Degree questions, answered.
Have questions about the Community Advocacy and Social Policy (BA)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!
What is community advocacy?
Community advocacy refers to the grassroots strategies individuals and organizations use to meet the social needs of individuals, families and communities. Coursework in the community advocacy and social policy program focuses on understanding how forms of oppression have impacted people and societies in historically underserved groups up through the present day. Earning a community advocacy and social policy degree will equip you to act as a social change agent through policy analysis and community-based action.
Why is advocacy important in community services?
Without a background in community advocacy, program administrators and coordinators may not adequately understand how oppression and inequity continue to influence society. In fact, without this knowledge, employees in the field may actually perpetuate some of the issues they are trying to solve.
The online community advocacy and social policy degree gives you 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.
What’s unique about this community advocacy and social policy degree?
This program has two key focus areas: diversity and oppressed populations, and social problems and interventions.
Does my community advocacy degree 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.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
Community advocacy and social policy program courses
You will take a variety of courses covering topics including introductory ethics, diversity and oppression in a social work context, advocacy strategies and much more. The program culminates in a final capstone project that allows you to explore your own interests within the context of community advocacy and social policy.
SWU 321: Statistics for Social Workers (CS)
SWU 302: Human Biology for Social Workers
SWU 183: Introductory Ethics: A Social Issues Perspectives (HU)
SWU 181: Economics: A Social Issues Perspective
SWU 182: Social Services Perspective of Government (SB)
SWU 291: Social Service Delivery Systems
SWU 303: Micro Human Behavior and the Social Environment (L or SB)
SWU 306: Ethics in Social Services (L)
What can I do with a social policy degree?
The online community advocacy and social policy degree will prepare you to work within the social services sector across a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and child welfare and human service agencies, among others. Graduates will be prepared for employment in the social services arena, such as performing basic case management (benefit processing or certification); staffing hotlines or warmlines; referral, recruitment and volunteer coordinator positions; and prevention and education. In addition, advocate positions are part of many organizations such as hospitals and the behavioral health system. This degree program also prepares students to pursue graduate education. Career examples include:
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 at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions are inspiring the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues around child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Recent 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 at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions are inspiring the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues around child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Recent 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.
Admission requirements for community advocacy and social policy
first-year student
You are considered a first-year student for application purposes if you have not attended college at all, or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours (with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA).
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain admission to 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 the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain admission to 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 the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
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 public service programs, from public policy, to social work, to criminal justice, to emergency management, are designed to help prepare our diverse student body to make a difference in the community.
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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.
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