Community organization and advocacy programs are generally administered through the social sciences department of colleges and universities. Community organization and advocacy programs put to practice the knowledge that students learn regarding their country, its inhabitants, and the services they require. The program is generally presented through a hands-on approach.
Students who pursue an accredited degree in community organization and advocacy can achieve the degree at different levels of the educational system. Degrees in community organization and advocacy are generally available at the Associate's and Bachelor's degree levels. The Associate's degree program in community organization and advocacy usually takes a two-year commitment while the Bachelor's degree takes four years or two years on top of the Associate's degree. The community organization and advocacy major is sometimes pursued as a concentration in another major such as urban studies, political science, or sociology.
The curriculum for a community organization and advocacy degree varies based on the type of specialization the student wishes to follow. The general core courses, however, remain the same across the programs. They include:
The community organization and advocacy degree can be attained in many different ways. The degree can be obtained online or offline. Depending on the student's situation, the online or offline route may seem more appealing. The online program is perfect for students who plan to work full-time while studying. Online education programs offer a great deal of flexibility with scheduling and assignments that offline programs simply cannot provide. Pursuing the degree offline also presents advantages for students. This type of education allows students to interact more with their professors and classmates, and grants them a more traditional college experience particularly with social events.
A community organization and advocacy degree allows students to obtain many skills that will aid them in their futures and careers. Some of the skills taught through community organization and advocacy programs will definitely aid you in your personal life as well. Some of the skills gained through the community organization and advocacy program include:
Community organization and advocacy degree graduates can find employment in a number of different positions. The most common path of employment for graduates is to the advocacy and nonprofit sector working for a civic organization. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 14 percent increase in employment for the sector over the 2008-2018 period. The median earnings for nonsupervisory employees in the sector were $34,620 a year, but they vary depending on the area of employment from $24,200 to $43,820.