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.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 39

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

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!

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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.

How does this program compare to a bachelor’s in social work?

 

While this community advocacy and social policy bachelor’s provides a deep social work foundation, it’s different from a bachelor’s in social work (BSW). This program is regionally accredited, but it isn’t accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as a bachelor’s in social work would be. This program won’t lead you to social work licensure or prepare you for social work roles that require a CSWE-accredited degree. However, you may pursue a master’s degree in social work after graduation.

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.


SWU 291: Social Service Delivery Systems


SWU 303: Micro Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SOBE OR L or SB)


SWU 306: Ethics in Social Services (HUAD OR L)


SWU 320: Research Methods in Social Work


SWU 332: Social Policy and Advocacy (CIVI)


SWU 340: Macro Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SOBE OR SB)


SWU 350: Whole Person Health Across the Lifespan (SOBE OR SB)


SWU 374: Diversity and Oppression in a Social Work Context (CIVI OR C)


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


Growth: 8.6 %
Salary: $38,520

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)


Growth: 7.2 %
Salary: $59,990

Community Health Worker


Growth: 14.1 %
Salary: $46,190

Community Specialist


Growth: 6.5 %
Salary: $47,290

Counselor (General)


Growth: 17.2 %
Salary: $43,390

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)


Growth: 14.9 %
Salary: $56,570

Social Services Director


Growth: 9.1 %
Salary: $74,240

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.

How to apply

I am a future

You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.

Learn how to apply.

Competency requirements

Additional admission requirements

High school equivalency

Homeschool

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 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.

#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.

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