Program Overview

Program Overview

The Online Bachelor of Arts in Community Advocacy and Social Policy at Arizona State University provides students with the opportunity to explore issues of diversity, oppression, and privilege. This program equips students with the advocacy and intervention strategies needed to make informed decisions, engage in social change, and advocate for the communities they seek to serve.

Program Details

• Total classes: 39
• Weeks per class: 7.5
• Total credit hours: 120
• Next start date: 01/12/2026

Skills Developed

This program provides students with the skills needed to act as social change agents through policy analysis and community-based action, including:

• Administrative and legislative strategies
• Ethics
• Mindfulness practices
• Research methods
• Social justice and human rights perspectives

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared to work within the social services sector across a variety of settings, including:

• Child welfare and human service agencies
• Mental health clinics
• Schools
• Hospitals Common career examples include:
• Advocate
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
• Community Health Worker
• Community Specialist
• Counselor (General)
• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
• Social Services Director

Faculty

The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking, and water scarcity. 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

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to ASU, applicants must:

• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have completed at least 14 of the following courses:
  • Four years of math
  • Four years of English (non-ESL/ELL courses)
  • Three years of lab sciences (One year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences, or physics)
  • Two years of social sciences (including one year of American history)
  • Two years of the same second language
  • One year of fine arts or career and technical education
• Meet at least one of the following:
  • Top 25% in high school graduating class
  • 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = A)
  • ACT score of 22 for Arizona residents (24 nonresidents) or SAT Reasoning score of 1120 for Arizona residents (1180 nonresidents)

Earned Admission

Applicants who do not meet admission requirements can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. This pathway allows students to demonstrate their ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

Tuition

The tuition calculator can be used to estimate full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Most students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Accreditation

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. The college is regionally accredited, but the Community Advocacy and Social Policy program is not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as a bachelor's in social work would be. This program will not lead to social work licensure or prepare students for social work roles that require a CSWE-accredited degree. However, graduates may pursue a master's degree in social work after graduation.