Certificate in Social Justice

Our students become well prepared to work to improve the lives of society’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people and go on to work in a wide array of fields.

The certificate in social justice supports undergraduates interested in social justice by giving them a foundation in the theory and practice of social change while creating a learning community in which together they can explore ideas and possible career paths.

This interdisciplinary certificate puts the spotlight on social scientific disciplines’ contributions to:

  • our understanding of social systems and structures that generate injustices
  • our critical analysis of the efficacy of social movements and policies that aim to redress those injustices
  • our visions of more just futures

 

Top Green College

(Princeton Review, 2025)

 

No. 46 among public universities in the country

(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

 

5 Nobel Laureates

Since 1989

Develop connections while exploring numerous opportunities to be mentored by successful social innovators from Boulder and elsewhere

Gain hands-on experience developing plans for new social enterprises or implementing solutions within existing organizations

Put your education into practice for societal problems identified through your studies, or by mentors and other experts

Be successful.

This certificate allows you enter the workforce with an understanding of how to help promote the common good by solving some of society’s most pressing problems.

  
$67,100

Median annual salary of community and service managers

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019)

 

Policymaker, civil servant, social enterprise manager, community organizer, health and environmental scientist, and frontline helping professional are common opportunities to apply this certificate

 

Broaden your employment possibilities in combination with the skills you learn in your major area of study

Academic Plan & Requirements

Degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students may obtain the certificate in social justice. To earn the certificate, students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Course topics include:

  • Organizing for Social Change
  • Anthropology
  • Care, Health and Resilience 
  • Economy
  • Environment and Population
  • Government
  • International Affairs
  • Society