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Social Justice Graduate Certificate

Explore theoretical and practical questions of economic, political, and social rights through a variety of lenses.

  • Format

    Online and On Campus Options

  • Tuition

    $13,360

  • Courses

    4

  • Next Start Term: Spring 2025

    Registration opens November 4, 2024

What You'll Learn

  • Build knowledge of classical and contemporary theories of justice and explore interrelated topics, such as human rights, affirmative action, income distribution, and the role of markets.
  • Develop an understanding of the economic systems, such as capitalism, socialism/egalitarianism, and the welfare state, and societal structures conducive toward cultivating a just community.
  • Gain insight into policy and social justice issues that drive human actions and responses to global challenges, such as the environment, poverty, and development.
  • Understand principles of social justice as they relate to topics such as education, government, health, media, and religion.

Our Community at a Glance

Going back to school doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold. We’ve designed our courses and certificates to give you the flexibility to pace your studies to fit your schedule.

  • 60%

    Applied Certificate to ALM Degree

  • 77%

    Working Full Time

  • 100%

    Would Recommend Certificate

Certificate Courses

The liberal arts graduate certificate in social justice requires four courses or 16 credits, chosen from the options in the certificate course search:

  • Social justice foundational course (choose one course from select group)
  • Electives (choose any three courses from select group)

Earning Your Certificate

Most of our certificates can be completed online and no formal application process is required to pursue a certificate.

To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:

  • Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
  • Earn at least a B grade in each course.
  • Complete the courses within three years.

Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.

Stack Your Certificate Into a Degree

Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. In the short term, you can earn your social justice certificate. Once completed, those four courses may count toward either a master’s degree in anthropology, a master’s degree in government, a master’s degree in history, or a master’s degree in international relations.

This stackable pathway offers an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.

Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.

Janelle Gray
At Harvard, I was able to find the authorial voice I knew I had but never could seem to develop. As a result, I feel prepared to create work in many different media and to assist others on their creative journeys.
Janelle Gray
Master of Liberal Arts in the field of Creative Writing and Literature; Graduate Certificate in Social Justice, '21

Cost

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

Our Tuition (2023–24 rate) $3,340 per course
Average Tuition of Peer Institutions $5,476 per course
Average Total Cost $13,360