Bachelor of Arts in Advocacy and Social Justice

Return to: Academic Programs Offered at Pacific Oaks College

Total Credit Hours Required: 120

Maximum Allowable Transfer Credits - 87

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

Number of Admit Terms Per Year: Not currently accepting students.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree completion program in Advocacy and Social Justice focuses 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 at developing a holistic lens of empowerment, equity and justice for social impact and change.

Attaining applied experience is critical to students committed to and engaged in their communities. Field Experiences at an approved site are part of the Advocacy and Social Justice program. 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 ASJ 444 Capstone course.

Concentrations are additional areas of focus designed to immerse students in a more specific area of advocacy and social justice. The program offers concentrations in Culture & Communities and Education.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

1. Development: Students analyze and assess the utility of advocacy and social justice theories impacting domestic and global systems to assess opportunities and strategies to increase inclusion, multiculturalism, and equity.
2. 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 an appreciation of and commitment to diversity, social justice, equity, and inclusion.
3. 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.
4. 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 to existing literature in the field.
5. 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

Credit Requirements 
General Education: 40 credits 
Advocacy and Social Justice: 18 credits 
Concentration: 12 credits 
General Electives: 50 credits 
Total: 120 credits 

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.

Fieldwork Requirements

Fieldwork is required for all BA ASJ students. Fieldwork includes 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 when 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 of whether 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 BA 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 2.0 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 Accounts Office, satisfy any deficiencies, and be in good standing in their program for the degree to be awarded.