The certificate program requires students to complete five credits of coursework, 100 hours of community service, and a capstone project that incorporates both challenging scholarship and relevancy for a community organization.Course Work
The following five credits of coursework are required:
SESP 202 - Introduction to Community Development
Taught by professor John Kretzmann. Taken in the first quarter of the program (winter). The course examines both historic and contemporary community building efforts, paying special attention to approaches that were shaped by Chicago.
SESP 195-1 and 195-2 - Community Engagement
A one-credit, two-quarter course (winter and spring) that is taken by students in the first year. The course is designed as a platform for students to reflect on their community service experience and its relation to broader community and societal issues, and develop a conceptual framework within which to deepen their understanding of the meaning and nature of community. Instructor: TBA
SESP 351 - Theory and Practice of Community Consulting
Taught by professor Paul Arntson. Taken fall quarter of the second year. The course objectives are to study and practice leadership skills and strategies in community decision-making contexts and to identify and analyze key community leadership challenges and opportunities. Students will work in groups directly with a community organization to negotiate and plan for the Capstone Project.
SESP 299-1 Capstone Research
SESP 299-2 Capstone Project
Students take two independent study courses — one each during the winter and spring quarter of their second year — leading to their completion of a Capstone Project.
Community Service
Students perform 50 hours of community service at an approved site in each of the two years. In the first year, involvement in several different organizations is encouraged. The goals of students’ service during year one is to explore opportunities in a variety of contexts or a particular context in a variety of service settings with the Capstone Project in mind.
Capstone Project
Students must complete a Capstone Project in collaboration with a sponsoring organization. Students will work in groups on projects they have negotiated as part of the course requirements for SESP 351 taken the fall quarter of their second year. Projects will have relevancy to the sponsoring organization’s mission and goals, such as researching and designing a new program; writing a major policy or fundraising proposal; or conducting a needs assessment or program evaluation.
The capstone project is completed at the end of the second year and is evaluated for two units of credit, SESP 299-1 and 299-2.