Online Graduate Certificate in Activating Community Change
Merrimack’s Activating Community Change certificate is designed for community engagement professionals interested in a tailored program focusing on activism, advocation, and social movements.
We are not accepting applications for this certificate program at this time.
Graduate Certificate in Activating Community Change: Why Merrimack College?
This certificate program equips students with the knowledge and skills to drive positive change within communities. It focuses on key aspects of community engagement, including the theory and practice of effective community work, the role of politics in community development, and the power of activism and social movements. The program provides students with practical tools to navigate the complexities of community change, helping them to understand and address the challenges that shape social issues and movements. This certificate program stands out for its:
Flexibility for working professionals.
Merrimack’s Activating Community Change program has been designed to allow employees and leaders of educational institutions and community-based organizations to pursue the critical skills and techniques they need for successful community advocating without leaving their current position. All courses are offered online.
Leading faculty.
Drawing from courses in Merrimack’s M.Ed. in Community Engagement, this certificate program is similarly led by nationally prominent researchers and practitioners in the field. You’ll learn in small classes that guarantee extensive face-time and one-on-one support from accomplished scholars such as community engagement specialist Audrey Falk.
Transferable master’s degree credits.
If you decide to continue your studies, you can count all the credits from the Activating Community Change certificate program toward Merrimack’s master’s degree in community engagement. The graduate certificate amounts to about a third of the total credits needed for the master’s degree.
What You’ll Learn in Merrimack’s Activating Community Change Courses
This online certificate program’s three-course (12 credit) sequence will give you the tools needed to understand the broader landscape of community engagement, activism, and social change. You will gain the knowledge to analyze community dynamics, the impact of political and social movements, and how to effectively drive meaningful change within communities.
Community Engagement Theory and Practice
Credits: 4
This course examines the contemporary community engagement movement, including civic and community engagement, service learning, community-based research in K-12 and higher education, and community-based education and learning. It explores key pragmatic issues such as planning and implementing community partnerships, developing service learning courses, and identifying outcomes for students and sites, as well as core theoretical issues such as community capacity building, reciprocity, sustainability and ethical engagement.
Politics of Community Engagement
Credits: 4
This course examines political engagement as a vehicle for community and social change at local, regional, and national levels. The course will explore how nonprofit and community organizations can work with legislators on policy; how community activists can lobby and advocate for change; and how community members can be active participants in our democracy.
Activism, Social Movements, and Community Engagement
Credits: 4
This course will explore the lifecycle of social movements along with the theories, forces, consequences, and impacts that influence their development. Throughout the term students examine how social movements emerge, how history plays a part, who engages and why, the elements of participation, activism versus extremism, organizational tactics, and the short and long-term effects that remain after the social movement is gone or has evolved. Using the lens of social movements that have gone before, the course utilizes history and current events to help students understand how social movements, whether they succeeded or failed, helped societies reframe issues of power and community engagement.
Questions about the Graduate Certificate in Activating Community Change?
Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at [email protected].
How to Apply
Create your account to get started. Apply today to start your certificate in activating community change.
