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Explore how to change the world through human advocacy and social change
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.
This course serves as an ideal starting point for those eager to pursue careers in social work and can stack into a MSU Denver credential or degree.
Brief introduction to the How to Change the World course
Flexible schedule
Course can be completed in 4-8 weeks and is self-paced online.
Career advisement
Receive a personal advising session with an industry leader.
High job demand
Gain a competitive edge.
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
Let MSU Denver take you on a transformative journey with our How to Change the World course, a compelling social change course tailored for change makers like you. Envision a world grappling with pressing issues—from environmental crises and food justice to healthcare disparities and income inequality. This immersive experience places you at the forefront, armed with human rights and social justice frameworks, ready to tackle these multifaceted challenges head-on.
This dynamic blend that combines human services course insights with pivotal aspects of advocacy programs and social policy course essentials guide you towards being a catalyst for meaningful societal transformation.
MSU Denver students 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 $450, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Registration opens in May
- Course begins – September 3, 2024
- Last day to register – September 10, 2024
- Course ends – November 3, 2024
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: Acquire essential skills in political advocacy, grassroots activism, and effective lobbying techniques to champion social change.
- Critical thinking skills: Gain analytical reasoning skills to dissect complex social issues, utilizing human rights and social justice frameworks for deeper understanding.
- Problem solving skills: Apply skills gained in human services and social advocacy contexts in strategic planning, collaborative projects, and ethical considerations.
- Empathy skills: Make informed decisions in human services and advocacy contexts by understanding a diverse range of perspectives.
- 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