Social Justice, Graduate Certificate

I. Contact Information

Mary White Stewart, Ph.D
Director, School of Social Research and Justice Studies
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, Nevada 89557
775-682-6481
mwstewart@unr.edu

II. Brief Description

The graduate Certificate in Social Justice is offered through the School of Social Research and Justice Studies. It complements graduate programs throughout the university, particularly those in sociology, psychology, social work, political science, criminal justice, philosophy and public health. The Certificate is designed to provide students with the theoretical and methodological tools for the analysis of social injustice as well as socio-cultural-legal responses to such injustice. As such, the program addresses social, structural and cultural factors underlying social injustice in the legal and political system, access to civil justice, and educational, economic and social injustice, giving specific attention to the intersections of race, class and gender inequality on social justice concerns.

Note: Students who are enrolled in this program solely are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

The Certificate provides a broad coverage of theoretical and methodological materials focused on social justice concerns to provide students with both a scholarly and practical understanding of the complexities of social justice and injustice. Through seminars, classes, independent research, and community engagement, students will achieve the ability to analyze social injustice, to recognize its historical, political and social roots, and to develop and assess ways to address it through advocacy, policy development and change, and social intervention.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills to allow for the analysis of social justice issues.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of both the complexity of the causes and the solutions to social justice issues.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of theoretical frameworks and methodologies that allow for a critical analysis of research in the area of social justice.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate competence in written and verbal communication skills that convey social justice issues to specific audiences in a variety of contexts.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to develop programs and policies for addressing injustice at the national, state, and local levels.
6. Students will be able to demonstrate awareness of ethical issues nationally, locally and globally to encourage ethical behavior, particularly as it pertains to diverse populations, including gender, race, ethnicity and class.

Assessment: The student’s success in meeting the learning outcomes will be measured by their performance on examinations, projects, papers, class discussion and presentations.

IV. Admissions Requirements

Students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree and students who are currently pursuing a graduate degree at the University are eligible to apply.

An application letter addressed to the Director of the School of Social Research and Justice Studies indicating relevant background information, experience, and reason for interest in the program. Undergraduate transcripts or transcripts from current graduate program.

V. Program Requirements

The Certificate in Social Justice is designed as a 12-credit program. Three credit hours are to be taken in the core course and nine credits are to be selected from a range of approved courses in the School of Social Research and Justice Studies and other departments. The curriculum provides maximum flexibility in topics while encouraging, through advising and course content, integration and critical understanding. To progress in the program a student must receive a grade of “B” or better in the Certificate courses and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. A student must repeat coursework in which a grade of “B” or better was not achieved. Upon completion of the Certificate a notation will be added to the student’s transcript.

VI. Program Total Hours (12 units)