The purpose of this certificate program is to train graduate students in the practice of community-engaged scholarship (CES), which is defined as teaching or research that is done in collaboration with community organizations or community partners in equitable, mutually beneficial, respectful relationships.
CES can include:
- community-based (service) learning, in which students work with community organizations or members (typically through direct service, advocacy or policy efforts, or other project-based work) to enhance their academic learning, professional development, and personal development while providing tangible benefits to the community organization and its constituents.
- community-based research, a spectrum of research including community-based participatory research and participatory action research. In this type of research, researchers work with community members to address research questions or issues identified by the community itself. These collaborations typically yield both academic research and useful outcomes or products for community members, who often act as co-researchers. Additionally, the relationships between community partners and researchers are mutually beneficial, equitable, and respectful.
- other community engagement and outreach efforts, including scholarship on CES.
Graduate students in this certificate may focus on one, several, or all facets of CES, depending on their interests. Through this certificate, students will feel confident to teach community-based learning courses, conduct community-based research, and/or lead community engagement initiatives.
Admissions
Students must be current UW–Madison graduate students in good standing with the Graduate School. All Graduate School students must utilize the Graduate Student Portal in MyUW to add, change, or discontinue any graduate/professional certificate. To apply to this certificate, log in to MyUW, click on Graduate Student Portal, and then click on Add/Change Programs. Select the information for the certificate for which you are applying. Professional students in the careers of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary cannot add the certificate in the Graduate Student Portal, and should contact the program for more information.
Students pursing the graduate/professional certificate are typically MS students. PhD students may pursue the Community-Engaged Scholarship doctoral minor or the graduate/professional certificate.
Requirements
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Community-Engaged Scholarship | ||
| COUN PSY 601 | Best Practices in Community-Engaged Scholarship | 2 |
| Research / Evaluation | ||
| CSCS 811 | Community-Based Research: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| or CSCS 570 | Community Based Research and Evaluation | |
| or CSCS 812 | Mixed-Methods in Community-Based Research | |
| or CSCS 813 | Transformative Evaluation in Practice | |
| or ED POL 580 | Participatory and Community-Based Research and Evaluation | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Courses numbered 699 or 999 from any department can be applied toward this requirement. | 1 | |
| Independent Study | ||
or CSCS 999 | Independent Study | |
| Electives | ||
| Students must select at least 3 credits from the "Elective Courses" list. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL 702 | The Multifunctionality of Agriculture | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 573 | Community Organization and Change | 3 |
| CBE 562 | Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (Chemical Engineering in the Community) | 1-3 |
| COUN PSY 620 | Special Topics in Counseling and Guidance (Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness in School; Esperanza Community-Engaged Mental Health Justice Research with Latines) | 1-6 |
| CSCS 795 | Community Power and Collective Action | 3 |
| CSCS 813 | Transformative Evaluation in Practice | 3 |
| CURRIC/ENVIR ST 932 | Foundations of Environmental and Sustainability Education | 3 |
| ELPA/INTER-HE 770 | Community, Opportunity, and Justice | 3 |
| ED POL/ELPA/PUB AFFR 765 | Issues in Educational Policy Analysis | 3 |
| GEOG 675 | Special Topics in Geography (Femenist Methodologies) | 3 |
| INTEGSCI 640 | Public Service in STEM | 1 |
| INTEGSCI 740 | Community Relationships and Materials Development in STEM Public Service | 1 |
| INTEGSCI 840 | Mentored Practicum in STEM Public Service | 1 |
| KINES 501 | Theory-Based Health Education and Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| LAND ARC 590 | Special Topics (Engaging the Community in Public Decisions) | 1-4 |
| LAND ARC 668 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| LSC/COM ARTS/JOURN 617 | Health Communication in the Information Age | 3 |
| LSC 625 | Risk Communication | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 860 | Workshop in International Public Affairs | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 869 | Workshop in Public Affairs | 3 |
| PUB AFFR/POLI SCI 871 | Public Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PUB AFFR/A A E/ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 881 | Benefit-Cost Analysis | 3 |
| PUBLHLTH 780 | Evidence-Based Decision-Making | 3 |
| RP & SE 710 | Multicultural Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| RP & SE 871 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC/URB R PL 645 | Modern American Communities | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- Apply theory and effective practices in the conduct of community-based research and evaluation.
- Utilize theories of translational and transformative learning and community change in performing engaged scholarship.
- Develop mutually beneficial and equitable partnerships with community organizations and members.
- Design and evaluate community-based programs for education and outreach using collaborative and participatory approaches.
- Demonstrate application of community-engaged scholarship through a presentation, report or other artifact involving a public/community audience.
- Cultivate a leadership style and communication skills that engage community partners in scholarship.