Program Overview

Overview of the Online Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development

The Online Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development is designed to empower individuals to build meaningful initiatives that address challenges in local communities. This transdisciplinary program equips students with broad expertise in social entrepreneurship and community development, while also giving them the opportunity to tailor the curriculum to their career goals.

Program Details

• The program consists of 5 classes, each lasting 7.5 weeks, and totals 15 credit hours.
• The certificate can be completed alone for professional development or paired with another ASU Online degree program in the social sciences, healthcare, arts, or environmental science.
• Graduates generally apply their community development certificate to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and social benefit corporation roles.

What is Community Development?

Community development is about co-creating transformative solutions that enhance the social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being of communities. Social entrepreneurship is a process of creating impact through new and innovative ways that are sustainable and results-oriented. Examples of community development include:

• Cultural awareness programs
• Education support for children, youth, and families
• Human services advocacy for the most vulnerable
• Municipal planning
• Philanthropic advancement
• Rehabilitation and expansion of public spaces
• Workforce and economic development

Career Opportunities

Completing a social entrepreneurship certificate positions individuals to take on leadership roles in establishing and administering community development programs. Career examples include but are not limited to:

• Chief advancement officer
• Child and family social worker
• Community development specialist
• Human service advocate
• Municipal planner
• Social and community service manager

Faculty and Accreditation

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

Application Requirements

Applicants to the graduate certificate in social entrepreneurship and community development must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Requirements include:

• A bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program or in an applicable master’s degree program
• Graduate admission application and application fee
• Official transcripts
• Proof of English proficiency

Tuition and Fees

The cost per credit hour for this program is $619. An additional mandatory Student Initiated Fee applies each semester and varies based on how many credit hours are taken. Students can estimate their full-time or part-time tuition fees using the tuition calculator.

Courses

Featured courses include:

• Financial and Resource Management
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Community and Social Innovation
• Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
• Program Evaluation and Information Management
• Reading and Conference
• Strategic Human Resources Management

Stackable Certificates

This graduate certificate can stand alone or serve as a main certificate toward a Master of Advanced Study. To complete the degree, students will stack a second 15-credit graduate certificate, allowing them to design a program tailored to their career goals and interests.