Why Advocacy and Political Leadership?
The Advocacy and Political Leadership BA is an ideal course of study for students interested in:
- Advancing social justice: Creating a more equitable and just world
- Building community power: Working in communities to bring people together to solve problems that impact their lives
- Developing leadership capacity: Cultivating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective and equitable leadership within our communities
What will I do in the major?
The Advocacy and Political Leadership BA program prepares students for careers in political and social change work. The coursework in the major is organized around the kinds of work people do in politics—whether they work in electoral politics, movement organizations, or advocacy organizations. Students develop a holistic understanding of politics as an ecosystem of cooperating and competing organizations, impacting the policy environment that shapes our lives. Students in the major take courses in:
- Campaign Management
- Campaign Finance and Fundraising
- Political Communications
- Research and Policy Development
- Advocacy for Policy Change
Students can choose to take electives focusing on community organizing, community development, political and social theory, or an internship course on careers in politics. Students in their final semester complete an Advocacy and Political Leadership Portfolio, to demonstrate the career skills they have developed in each of the core course domains.
Students also have the option of completing a 4+1 program, to graduate with the APL major and the Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership with one additional year of coursework.
What can I do with the degree?
The Advocacy and Political Leadership BA prepares students for careers in:
- Political campaigns and elections
- Nonprofit and non-governmental organizations
- Advocacy organizations
- Community organizations
- Union organizing and labor organizations
The Advocacy and Political Leadership major also prepares undergraduates for application to the Master's in Advocacy and Political Leadership program at Metro State University.
Student outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Effectively plan and manage campaigns—whether electoral or issue-focused.
- Develop and execute fundraising plans.
- Develop and execute communications strategies for electoral or issue-based campaigns.
- Evaluate policy proposals and prepare policy briefs on important public issues.
- Run effective advocacy meetings with legislators and other policy makers on bills before the Minnesota Legislature.
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