Bachelor of Arts in Advocacy and Social Justice

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(Note: This program is not enrolling new students at this time.)

Total Credit Hours Required - 120 Credit Hours

Maximum Allowable Transfer Units - 87 Credit Hours

Program Admissions Requirements -Program-Specific Admissions Requirements can be found here: Admissions Policies

Tuition and Fees - Tuition and Fees for the College and individual programs can be found here: Financial Aid and Student Accounts Policies

Program Overview

The BA in Advocacy and Social Justice offers an upper division program focused on advocacy and social justice theory, research and practice.  Students will develop the skills to critically evaluate the motivations and implications of injustice, disparity, inequity and systems of dominance to become practitioners grounded in the principles of social justice, advocacy, respect for diversity and multi-culturalism, and the uniqueness of each person.  Students are immersed in a multi-disciplinary curriculum through coursework aimed to develop a holistic lens of empowerment, equity and justice for social impact and change.

The attainment of applied experience is critical to students who are committed to and engaged in their communities. Field Experiences at an approved site are part of the BA completion program in Advocacy and Social Justice. Fieldwork experiences are to occur while student is registered in HD459- Exploration & Implementation: Fieldwork/Internship

Graduates are prepared to effectively apply advocacy and social justice theories and principles in their roles as community advocates in governmental and non-governmental agencies, civil liberties workers, disease & disability advocates, social services conservators, community health workers, case managers, LGBTQIA+ activists and special interests advocates

Contributions to the wider body of intellectual knowledge are critical and the completion of a Social Action Research Capstone Project is required for successful fulfillment of the BA degree completion program in Advocacy and Social Justice as a part of the HD 497-Capstone course.

Concentrations are additional areas of focus which are designed to immerse students in a more specific area of advocacy and social justice.  The BA completion in Advocacy and Social Justice offers concentrations in Culture & Communities and Education.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Development: Students analyze and assess utility of advocacy and social justice theories impacting domestic and global systems to assess opportunities and strategies to increase inclusion, multiculturalism and equity.

Diversity: Students are able to identify and analyze the dynamics of institutional and individual biases and the uses of power to impact social, community and political systems.  They demonstrate a value and commitment to diversity, social justice, equity and inclusion.

Communication: Students will assess and examine the qualities of communication tools used to fight injustice, maintain oppressive systems and empower individuals and communities to develop strategies for social impact.

Research: Students are able to use critical thinking and information literacy skills to distinguish between observations and theory in published research.  Students create original research, present their findings, and link their research with existing literature in the field.

Praxis: Students develop a philosophy of learning reflective of advocacy and social justice theories guided by reflective engagement and grounded in a lens of equity and multiculturalism. Students evaluate and explore the knowledge, skills, attitudes and attributes of the advocate role and assess their impact on other persons, groups and systems (ethics, values, principles and empowerment).  Praxis will involve activities such as practica, internship, fieldwork or student teaching.

Program Specific Requirements

The BA Advocacy and Social Justice program is a 120 credit undergraduate program, comprised of 37 credits in General Education, 30 credits in Human Development and/or Education (including Concentrations), and 53 credits of general electives.  This is a year-round program, including enrollment in summer.  On-ground attendance includes fall and spring 16-week semesters and a 12-week summer semester.  Online attendance includes two 8-week terms in fall and spring, and two 6-week terms in summer. 

A full-time student entering with 0 credits and successfully completing 12 credits per semester would have a time to completion of ten semesters, which is equivalent to 3 1/3 years, or 40 months.

BA in Advocacy and Social Justice Credit Requirements

37 General Education Credits

53 General Elective Credits

18 Upper Division Advocacy and Social Justice Program Credits

12 Concentration Credits

120  Credits Total

BA Advocacy and Social Justice Program Courses - All credits earned in courses offered by Pacific Oaks College are considered PO residence hours, regardless if the courses are taken on-line, on-ground, at instructional sites or at Off-campus cohort locations. Credits earned from institutions other than Pacific Oaks College are considered non-resident credits. All students must complete a minimum of 30 residence hours to complete the B.A. in Human Development degree.

Fieldwork Requirements

Each concentration has a fieldwork requirement. Fieldwork is study and learning that consists of practical and applied activities completed outside of the classroom or typical learning environment.  Each student is required to engage in 45 hours of service at an approved fieldwork/internship site during the semester enrolled in the three-credit fieldwork course (HD459).

Residence Requirement

All credits earned in courses offered by Pacific Oaks College are considered PO residence hours, regardless if the courses are taken on-line, on-ground, at instructional sites or at Off-campus cohort locations. Credits earned from institutions other than Pacific Oaks College are considered non-resident credits. All students must complete a minimum of 30 residence hours to complete the B.A. in Advocacy and Social Justice degree.

Course Length - Please refer to the program course and delivery section found here: Academic Calendar

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Advocacy and Social Justice degree, a student must successfully complete the following:

• The approved program consisting of at least 30 credits completed in residency at Pacific Oaks; and
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all coursework attempted at the College.

Students are required to submit the Petition for Degree Completion and fee to the Registrar’s Office the semester before they anticipate completing their degree requirements. Students must submit the application, settle all outstanding fees with the Student Finance Office, satisfy any deficiencies, and be in good standing in their program for the bachelor’s degree to be awarded.

Number of Admit Terms Per Year

This program is not enrolling new students at this time