Bachelor of Arts in Leadership & Community Engagement

Our students become culturally responsive and ethical leaders who collaborate with community partners to tackle society’s big challenges.

The undergraduate degree in leadership and community engagement allows students to understand how people learn, how to bring about lasting social change in the community and how to measure the impact. As the only program of its kind in Colorado and part of a small number of emerging community engagement degrees nationwide, this degree places students at the cutting edge of social innovation.

  • Put your education into practice with real-world experience 
  • Explore democracy and education in relation to the public
  • Learn how to facilitate difficult conversations across social differences

Pair your degree with majors like anthropology, political science, sociology, ethnic studies, women and gender studies, geography, English, Jewish studies or philosophy to meet your unique interests and career goals 

Join a community of students who are agents of change and advocates on behalf of all students and communities

200+ hours of real-world experience working in the community and with local leaders before students graduate

Be successful.

Make a difference in education and in the community with a unique degree focused on leading the change.

 
$62,100

Median salary of CU Boulder students with a bachelor’s degree 1–5 years after graduation

 

Be prepared to work in K–12 education, the nonprofit sector, government, social work, or international development

 

Top 25 university worldwide in education, among 500 international schools of education

(ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking)

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn a BA in leadership and community engagement, students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours specific to leadership and community engagement, as well as a dual degree and credit hours from the College of Arts and Sciences. The dual degree must be a major in either social sciences or arts and humanities. Options include: 

Social sciences:

Arts and humanities:

Additional programs of study for students in the leadership and community engagement program include:

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The School of Education has many alumni across the nation helping to advance democracy, diversity, equity and justice within communities and educational settings.

Anisah Spahn

BA elementary education
Anisah Spahn worked as a learning assistant in the School of Education and as an undergraduate student ambassador. After graduation, she became a teacher resident at Denver Green School and is working toward a graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders.  

Meredith Nass

BAM in ethnic studies and education
A native of Durango, Meredith Nass has used her degree to help address critical questions about world injustices and how educators and community leaders can become transformative educators and policymakers. Nass works for the School of Education as the student coordinator and is a community organizer through the Coalition to Expand Voting Rights in Boulder. 

Garrett Cease

MA in curriculum and instruction plus teacher licensure in English education
Garrett Cease graduated from CU Boulder with a double major in English and philosophy, and then returned to complete a School of Education master’s degree in curriculum and instruction while gaining teacher licensure in English education. As both a sixth grade teacher and an enthusiast for meditation, yoga, rock climbing and skiing, Cease practices his wellness techniques in the classroom to help guide his teaching and students. 

Andrés Martínez

MA in educational equity and cultural diversity
After spending 23 years as a social studies teacher at Thornton High School, Andrés Martínez decided to continue his professional career with a master’s degree. While earning his MA, Martínez was integral at advancing the Seal of Biliteracy initiative for his school district, Adams 12. He also proposed teaching ethnic studies at his school, with hopes of that becoming an official part of the school’s curriculum.