Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Undergraduate Certificate
Introduction
Please click here to see Political Science department information.
The CU Denver Political Science Department's Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Certificate engages students in a focused curriculum in local public leadership, and in the community organizing and development field, including field placements in internships with local community partners. The certificate is tailored to meet the needs of individuals in public and non-profit positions that require development of their leadership competencies and for individuals in informal community leadership positions who want to build their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness.
The program curriculum is anchored around the study and practice of local civic engagement, especially in traditionally marginalized communities. Students will be connected to meaningful work and networking opportunities in local government or in community settings, through community-based coursework, professional internships and service-learning opportunities. The certificate program provides critical education and effective skills-based training for students seeking careers in local government, in non-profit organizations, or in community organizing and development work. Students will be prepared to become change agents in their communities, while developing possible career paths in community-based advocacy/service organizations, public agencies, or international development work.
The certificate is open to non-degree seeking students (with or without an undergraduate degree) as well as students formally pursuing an undergraduate degree at CU Denver. The Certificate can be earned as a stand-alone University certificate, or it can be applied to a current or future degree program. Non-degree seeking students who successfully complete the certificate program would be allowed to transfer in the credits received in the certificate program to complete the Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.
Program Delivery
- The certificate can be earned either through our traditional on-campus courses, or entirely through classes offered in a weekend intensive format in our New Directions program. Students may take classes in either format desired.
Admissions and Declaring This Certificate
- Any current or potential student wishing to declare this certificate should schedule a certificate advising appointment with either the Director of the New Directions program or with the Departmental Undergraduate Advisor, in order to register their intent to pursue the Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Certificate and to develop a curriculum plan.
For questions contact Steve Delcastillo (steve.delcastillo@ucdenver.edu) or Karen Breslin (karen.breslin@ucdenver.edu)
These program requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Undergraduate Certificate advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.
General Requirements
Students must satisfy all requirements as outlined below and by the department offering the certificate.
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Certificate Requirements
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Students must complete 15 credit hours in approved courses.
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Students must complete a minimum of six upper division (3000 level and higher) credit hours from approved coursework.
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Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses that apply to the certificate and must achieve a minimum cumulative certificate GPA of 2.0. Courses taken using P+/P/F or S/U grading cannot apply to certificate requirements.
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All credits must be taken in residence at CU Denver.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following program requirements: | ||
| Complete the following required course: | ||
| PSCI 4914 | Community Organizing and Community Development | 3 |
| Complete one of the following Field Placement courses: | 3 | |
| The Urban Citizen | ||
| Internship | ||
| CU at the Capitol | ||
| CU in the City | ||
| Complete nine credit hours from the following Public and Community Leadership elective courses: | 9 | |
| Political Movements: Race and Gender | ||
| Power and Empowerment in the United States | ||
| Topics in Political Science 1 | ||
| Local Governance and Globalization | ||
| Urban Politics, Planning, and Development | ||
| Gentrification and Social Equity | ||
| Local Government and Administration | ||
| Denver Politics | ||
| Social Movements, Democracy and Global Politics | ||
| Theories of Social and Political Change | ||
| Gender, Development and Globalization | ||
| Social Justice And Globalization | ||
| Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building | ||
| Non-Profits and Social Change | ||
| Labor and Working Class Politics | ||
| International Women's Resistance | ||
| Independent Study: PSCI 1 | ||
| The Social Economy and Sustainable Development | ||
| The Cooperative Movement: Politics and Policy | ||
| Labor Law and Collective Bargaining | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.