Overview
Have you always wanted to influence change in your community or region but didn’t know where to start?
Our Bachelor of Science in Public Leadership and Changemaking is an interdisciplinary program that will prepare you to engage diverse groups in developing solutions for complex issues within local, regional, national and global communities. You will gain an understanding of systemic issues, and you’ll develop skills and gain real-world experience through a required internship, capstone courses and more. This major is unique in the region, making graduates highly sought after by nonprofits, planning agencies, civic and public agencies, Tribal government entities and many more.
The core courses for this major are taught by professors of political science, philosophy, Indigenous studies and social work, providing diverse perspectives and backgrounds from faculty with decades of experience. You will select courses from a range of electives offered by five different academic departments and 14 disciplines, allowing you to tailor your program to meet your unique goals. All courses are taught by professors who are passionate about this major and their fields of study, preparing students for careers that positively impact our society and world.
This program is available in both on-campus and distance learning formats. Students may join courses remotely via a synchronous learning “Room and Zoom” modality using the latest technology. A minor is required.
Program Design
This program was developed in consultation with private and public sector leaders to prepare students to become professional advocates, public leaders and community change agents.
Partnerships
Benefit from UW-Superior’s many partnerships with local and regional organizations for research ideas, experiential learning opportunities, career networking and a required internship.
Top Faculty
Work closely with faculty to plan your academic program, pursue field work, and conduct research.
What You’ll Learn
You will learn about systemic issues across various populations and regions. You will develop critical skills and gain real-world experience through the required internship and two capstone project-based courses. The major requires only five prescribed core classes including a seminar on contemporary Indigenous issues as well as courses on civic intervention and social science research methods. Other required coursework includes courses in communication tools; ethics, civic and social responsibility; current complex issues and their historical roots; and change-making methods, which encompass 12 more credits. The final 15 required credits of the program allow ample flexibility across a broad list of electives, allowing you to customize your major to align with your unique interests.
Through a major in Public Leadership and Changemaking at UW-Superior, you will be able to:
- Understand key factors that may impact how systems and institutions function
- Identify and apply a range of methods to facilitate change
- Describe and compare how organizations engage in civic interventions
- Recognize and analyze current complex issues and their historical roots
- Describe characteristics of civic and social responsibility
- Use a variety of communication tools to bring about change
- Perform technical tasks like budgeting, grant writing, scenario planning, and report writing
- Gather, evaluate and analyze information to understand an issue and inform a response
- Work collaboratively with diverse partners to lead inclusive processes
- Design and implement a concrete civic intervention
As a Public Leadership and Changemaking major at UWS, I have moved from being a lost non-traditional student trying to find their place in the world to someone with a focus on how they can be of service to it. I’ve gained a partner, lifelong friendships and a path forward in life.
Program Outcomes/Career Opportunities
Graduates of this major will be “change makers” who are prepared for a wide range of career fields, including:
- Community health
- Sustainable management
- Urban and regional planning
- Social and community service
- Community advocacy
- Public relations and community engagement
Ready to get started?
Applying to UW-Superior is easy and free for undergraduate students. Once your application is submitted, you’ll hear from us within just a few days. We’re here to help you every step of the way with any questions you may have, so why wait? Start your application today.
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