Policy and Advocacy

Turn your passion for policy into action that drives community change.

The Policy and Advocacy Graduate Certificate prepares students and professionals to lead changes where policy and community impact intersect. Through a focused 12-credit curriculum, you’ll develop skills in policy analysis, legislative advocacy and community engagement while gaining a deeper understanding of how policy shapes equity and outcomes across diverse populations.

Designed for students in social work and related disciplines — including public policy, public administration and political science — this certificate provides a clear pathway to careers in advocacy, government and nonprofit leadership. With an emphasis on real-world application, you’ll learn to translate policy into practice and become an effective advocate for stronger, more equitable communities.

Prospective applicants

Undergraduate programs such as anthropology, criminal justice, human development and family studies, and psychology are directly and indirectly connected to the proposed certificate. Most students in the Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional Program hold bachelor’s degrees in these or other related disciplines. As students from these disciplines increasingly explore graduate studies in social work, the addition of the Policy and Advocacy Certificate is expected to enhance the program’s appeal by providing an opportunity to deepen their policy knowledge and advocacy skills while addressing critical social issues across Alabama.