Community Engagement Strategies - School of Education

This undergraduate certificate in community engagement strategies gives students an opportunity to gain a practical, historical and theoretical understanding of strategies for promoting social change through collective action.

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Program Type

Undergraduate Certificate

Program Format

On Campus

Why Choose Our Program?

You’ll learn how to:

Understand power relations.
Build coalitions.
Hold government officials accountable.
Work with the media.

With a focus on urban issues, this certificate provides excellent preparation for students who are interested in becoming community organizers, youth and social workers, politicians, community researchers and nonprofit administrators. It’s also useful for students interested in specializing in other areas, such as international, environmental or union organizing.

You may begin the program by enrolling in ED POL 111. No separate application is required.

If you’re seeking an undergraduate degree at UWM, you’ll receive the certificate upon completion of your degree. If you already have an undergraduate degree, you’ll receive the certificate once you complete the program requirements. Students without a bachelor’s degree receive a certificate from the UWM School of Continuing Education after completing the program’s required coursework.

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the program must complete at least 21 credits of courses within the guidelines provided. You may take only 12 credits from a single department, and only 6 credits out of the 12 available for elective courses (components 3 and 4) from a single department. If you wish to enroll (or have enrolled) in programs offered by other groups, including unions, environmental organizations and others, you may petition to the Program Committee for approval. You must achieve a 2.50 GPA in courses required for the certificate.

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External Training Program

Participating in a community engagement training program provided by an external group allows students to meet a diverse range of community organizers from different contexts across the United States. Currently, the Midwest Academy 5-day training program is the only approved program.