Advocacy and Political Leadership BA
Why Advocacy and Political Leadership?The Advocacy and Political Leadership BA is an ideal course of study for students interested in:Advancing social justice: Creating a more equitable and just worldBuilding community power: Working in communities to bring people together to solve problems that impact their livesDeveloping leadership capacity: Cultivating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective and equitable leadership within our communitiesWhat will I do in the major?The Advocacy and Political Leadership BA program prepares students for careers in political and social change work. The coursework in the major is organized around the kinds of work people do in politics—whether they work in electoral politics, movement organizations, or advocacy organizations. Students develop a holistic understanding of politics as an ecosystem of cooperating and competing organizations, impacting the policy environment that shapes our lives. Students in the major take courses in:Campaign ManagementCampaign Finance and FundraisingPolitical CommunicationsResearch and Policy DevelopmentAdvocacy for Policy ChangeStudents can choose to take electives focusing on community organizing, community development, political and social theory, or an internship course on careers in politics. Students in their final semester complete an Advocacy and Political Leadership Portfolio, to demonstrate the career skills they have developed in each of the core course domains.4+1 program to get a master's degree in one yearStudents have the option of completing a 4+1 program, to graduate with the APL major and the Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership with one additional year of coursework.What can I do with the degree?The Advocacy and Political Leadership BA prepares students for careers in:Political campaigns and electionsNonprofit and non-governmental organizationsAdvocacy organizationsCommunity organizationsUnion organizing and labor organizationsThe Advocacy and Political Leadership major also prepares undergraduates for application to the Master's in Advocacy and Political Leadership program at Metro State University.