Social Transformation, Certificate
Study how communities create meaningful change against inequality and injustice. You'll examine social movements, law, activism and community organizing, gaining tools to analyze power and lead efforts toward more just, inclusive communities.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Social Transformation undergraduate certificate description
In the certificate program in social transformation, you examine how varied communities have faced and addressed the needs of social change. You consider how to apply what you've learned in identifying just solutions to the social problems currently faced by society. The areas of focus include a variety of themes, such as:
- civil rights movements
- democracy movements
- gender equality
- gender justice
- immigration
- labor movements
Why earn a social transformation undergraduate certificate at ASU?
This social change certificate lives in the School of Social Transformation, an academic unit nationally recognized for justice-centered social science research and for leadership in gender, women and sexuality studies, African and African American studies, Asian Pacific American studies and justice studies. You'll learn from faculty across these fields rather than a single narrow discipline.
Your coursework directly connects to community partnerships, research centers and the Social Transformation Lab, so you'll apply critical analysis of power and inequality to current issues alongside local and global partners. This applied focus goes beyond purely theoretical study.
At ASU you gain a leading public research university committed to community impact while experiencing a small, supportive academic home with a 7:1 student to faculty ratio. You can add faculty-led study abroad, community-based research or internships through the school's centers and labs, plus events that engage urgent questions in social justice and human rights.
The certificate stacks with any undergraduate degree, so students in fields from science to business to the arts can graduate with a focused, recognized credential in social change leadership and equity-focused problem solving.
Additional details
Outside the classroom, you can join student organizations focused on advocacy, cultural heritage, social justice, human rights, gender and sexuality and related issues. You'll also find opportunities through The College and university-wide initiatives that support community service, civic engagement and social innovation.
Events and networks within the School of Social Transformation build a strong sense of community, with particular support for first-generation and historically underrepresented students. Your coursework in social justice studies spans themes like civil rights movements, democracy movements, gender equality, immigration and labor movements.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
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The certificate in social transformation requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper-division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the certificate requirements. |
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APA 220 Introduction to Social Transformation
or
JUS 220 Introduction to Social Transformation
or
SST 220 Introduction to Social Transformation
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
SST 484 Internship
or
SST 499 Individualized Instruction
SST 484 or SST 499 requires departmental consent in order to enroll. Please contact School of Social Transformation Advising.
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
9 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 9 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Employ and critically assess core theory, concepts, and methods for the study of social change issues and examining solutions to social problems.
- Apply the foundations and principles of social change to the specific domestic or international issues through community engagement and research.
Employ and critically assess core theory, concepts, and methods for the study of social change issues and examining solutions to social problems.Enrollment requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this social transformation undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates who have combined the certificate in social transformation with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in law, education, public service, and human welfare and social work.
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Social Transformation
|
WLSN 5th floor
SSTadvising@asu.edu
480-965-7682
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
