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Discover how to make a positive impact on the world
How to Change the World is a transformative educational opportunity. Designed for those with a passion for helping others and a commitment to fostering positive change, students will gain the knowledge and skills that are key to excelling in the helping professions. Through a unique teaching approach, students gain a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of social issues, as well as the strategies and tools needed to effectively address them.
This course, accessible to learners of all backgrounds and experiences, serves as an introduction for those aspiring to work in social and human services, community support organizations, and/or in advocacy roles. Students will emerge from this course prepared to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of those in need, ultimately contributing to a brighter, more equitable future for all segments of society. Whether you’re looking to change careers, deepen your understanding of social issues, or strengthen your skills in the field, How to Change the World is the ideal stepping stone to turn your passion for social change into a fulfilling and impactful career.
Flexible schedule
Course is 8 weeks long, entirely online, and self-paced.
Career advisement
Receive a personal advising session with an industry leader.
High job demand
You will enhance your resume with critical skills.
Career Pathways in Social Work
Approximate return on investment for each academic pathway
Pathway 1: Enter the workforce quickly. Complete the How to Change the World course and immediately enter the workforce with a job title like a social and human services assistant.
- The median salary is $38,500 a year.
Pathway 2: Continue your academic journey and earn a degree in Social Work, which allows you to increase your earning potential. You can find jobs in mental health, social work, probation and corrections, and more.
- The median salary is $50,000 a year.
Pathway 3: Continue your academic journey to get a master’s degree in social work to become a clinical social worker.
- The median salary is $60,000 a year.
About the How to Change the World Course
Imagine a dystopia where everything has gone wrong with the environment, food justice, healthcare, children’s rights, racial justice, immigration, gender, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice, poverty, and income inequality. In this scenario-based learning experience it is your job to set things right by using human rights and social justice frameworks to address our most pressing social problems. You will dive into real world social science content on theories and methods of social and political change such as political advocacy, activism, research, social movements, and civic engagement. Are you up to the challenge to use your critical thinking skills to create solutions to our nation’s complex social challenges?
The course is $395, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Course begins – February 1, 2024
- Last day to register – March 1, 2024
- Course ends – April 1, 2024
Note: due to the course being self-paced, you can register up until March 1 and still complete the course by April 1.
Once you successfully complete the course, you can immediately enter the workforce with newly learned skills. You will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
Students can also convert the course to three credits and continue to an MSU Denver certificate or degree. See FAQs for more information.
- Advocacy skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem solving skills
- Empathy skills
- Micro and macro-level change skills
- Oral and written communication skills
Dr. Jessica Ritter is a Full Professor of Social Work in the Department of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She earned her BSW, MSSW, and PhD in social work at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to being on the faculty at MSU Denver, she was a full-time faculty member at George Mason University in the DC area and at Pacific University Oregon located just outside of Portland, Oregon. At Pacific University she served as the BSW Program Director and Associate Dean of Social Sciences. Dr. Ritter began her social work career in child protection due to her strong desire for working with children and families served by the child welfare system. Her career as a social worker and social work academic has been dedicated to child welfare and children’s rights as well as political advocacy efforts focused on social and economic justice issues.
Dr. Ritter teaches a variety of social work courses including Generalist Practice, Research Methods, and Social Policy and Social Justice. She has a special passion for teaching courses that focus on political advocacy with the goal of getting social work students excited about social policy, demystifying the political process, increasing students’ levels of political efficacy, and inspiring them to be engaged politically. She has won teaching awards at multiple universities. Dr. Ritter is a Fulbright scholar and is the author of three books—101 Careers in Social Work, (3rd edition); Social Work Policy Practice: Changing our Community, Nation, and the World (3rd edition); and Introduction to Social Work: Social Workers Effecting Change in our World. Being a social work educator is one of the great joys of her life!
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Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building
3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362