Earn a Certificate 

Female student with megaphoneThe 18-unit Certificate of Achievement in Leadership and Social Change prepares students to be community leaders, agents of change, and responsible participants in civic life in general.

Participants gain in-depth understanding of the social structures that define their worlds, and develop the skills and practical knowledge required to transform those structures and make the world a more equitable place. 

Why get this certificate?

  • Universities, businesses, and community organizations are constantly looking for students ready to take leadership on the campus, in the workplace, and in the community.
  • Students completing this certificate will be prepared to work as an entry-level union organizer or staff person at a non-profit organization.
  • For those looking to transfer to a four-year institution, the certificate can help build your application as colleges look for engaged students with experience working in the community.
  • The knowledge and experience acquired can be applied to any situation you will find yourself in.
  • Our hope is that students passionate about social justice will be able to use this certificate to find meaningful work in order to make a better world for all of us.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the certificate program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze the social processes that foster inequality and disempowerment, as well as those that challenge inequality and lead to empowerment. 
  • Analyze the ways that social processes are amenable to transformation through strategic planning and constituent mobilization.
  • Apply leadership skills, such as meeting facilitation, strategic planning, consensus-building, and generating buy-in from stakeholders, with the aim of fostering social justice and empowerment.

Student Testimonials

Itzhel Sanchez“I have been involved in the community since high school and learned to manage time and prioritize. In zcollege, it all changed because I started getting into the whole social justice issues, which did affect my GPA. I am too passionate about it and did not prioritize my academics. I gained so many leadership skills, experiences and unforgettable memories. We never stop learning ! Even when we think everything is under control life may throw rocks at us, therefore, we need to be ready to remain strong in all aspects. It is hard but manageable. As students  we may be too passionate but we cannot forget about our academics, which is important to stay organize. For example, without my calendar I am lost.  Keeping track of all activities as well as assignments is the goal to succeed as organizers and students.” 

– Itzel Sanchez, 2017 graduate

Keerthana Muthukrishnan

“Balancing my academics with activism has always been a challenge! First and foremost, I have learned not to overwork myself under any situation and to always prioritize my health and well being. I always make sure to eat at the right times and try my best to get an adequate amount of sleep every night. Regarding my schoolwork, I try to take upon a course load that is balanced. For example, one math course, one social science course, one GE, etc I always kept in touch with my degree works to continuously check up on my own progress. This helped me be updated and not very stressed out academically, so I could focus on social work and civic engagement as well. I made sure to deal with VIDA work through a separate email and only at the designated times. Sometimes, it would overlap with my person life, but I didn't mind. However, if I got incredibly exhausted, then I would take some time off from activism and even academics just to hangout with my friends.” 

– Keerthana Muthukrishnan, 2017 graduate

Program Graduation Celebration

Academic year 2011-2012 marked the first year that students completed the certificate program.

Program Course Sequence

Option A: Cohort

A cohort of students takes a specified set of classes together as a group each quarter. This option is recommended as there is mentoring and a stronger sense of community among students. A minimum of "C" grade is required. 

Fall Quarter
  • PHIL/ICS 17 Critical Consciousness and Social Change (4 units)
  • ICS 80X Community Based Learning in Intercultural Studies (2 units)
Winter Quarter
  • ICS 27/POLI 17 Grassroots Democracy: Leadership and Power (4 units)
  • ICS 80X Community Based Learning in Intercultural Studies (2 units)
Spring Quarter
  • ICS 19 Justice, Nature and the Geography of Identities (4 units)
  • ICS 80X Community Based Learning in Intercultural Studies (2 units)

Option B: Independent

You can choose classes from the list below and put together your own approach to the program. Complete the following minimum number of units in each of the four categories. A minimum of "C" grade is required. 

Certificate Requirements

Option C: APALI Cohort

Learn more about the APALI Cohort.

Leadership and Power: 4 units

ICS 27/POLI 17

Grassroots Democracy: Leadership and Power*

4
Leadership Skills: 4 units

ICS 19

Justice, Nature, and the Geographies of Identity

4

BUS 65

Leadership

5

ES 66

Environmental Leadership

1

ES 67

Environmental Team-Building

1

ES 68

Community-Based Coalitions and Stakeholders

1

ICS 55

Civic Leadership for Community Empowerment*

4

SPCH 15

Critical Decision Making in Groups

4

SPCH 70

Effective Organizational Communication*

4
Understanding Social Change: 4 units

ICS 17/PHIL 17

Critical Consciousness and Social Change*

4

POLI 15/WMST 15

Grassroots Democracy: Race, Culture, and Liberation*

4

POLI 16/WMST 16

Grassroots Democracy: Social Movements Since the 1960s*

4

WMST 1

Introduction to Women Studies

4

WMST 8

Women of Color in the US*

4

SOC 5

Sociology of Globalization and Social Change*

4
Leadership Internship: 6 units

ICS 80 series

Community Based Learning in Intercultural Studies: ICS 80, 80W, 80X, 80Y, 80Z

0.5-4

SOSC 80 series

Community Based Learning in Social Sciences: SOSC 80, 80W, 80X, 80Y, 80Z

0.5-4

Total Units Required: 18

*Fulfills general education requirements

Recommended English Writing and Literature courses:

In addition to required certificate courses, we recommend taking LEAD program EWRT and ELIT classes which are engagement-based and service-oriented English classes. See LEAD's website for course information each year.

Internship

The "Community Based Learning"/80 courses are designed to provide students with sustained experiential learning through placement with a non-profit/community-based agency. Students will connect their academic study with community organizing and public service in order to strengthen communities, develop knowledge about public policy, and develop skills in public leadership through a wide variety of projects.

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