Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
7 Learning Experiences
Social Impact & Public Policy
4-Course Series
60 hours
15 hours per course (approx.)
About Social Impact & Public Policy
Learn how public policy, social work, community organizing, and sustainability leadership can support positive social change. This beginner-level Specialization helps you understand how change happens across communities, organizations, and public systems—and how you can contribute.
Throughout the specialization, you’ll learn to:
Explain how public policy is developed, implemented, and evaluated
Analyze social issues through equity, social justice, and systems perspectives
Understand how social work supports individuals, families, and communities
Assess community needs, priorities, and strategies for collective action
Develop advocacy, action, and communication approaches for social change
Examine how leadership, values, power, and relationships shape sustainable change
You’ll work through case studies, practical exercises, and real-world examples while building skills in critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and leadership. This Specialization is designed for beginners interested in public service, nonprofits, education, social services, community organizations, or sustainability. No prior experience is necessary.
Applied Learning Project
In this Specialization, you’ll complete applied quizzes, reflections, and planning activities tied to real social issues. You’ll work through the public policy process, including issue framing, agenda setting, policy design, implementation, and evaluation. You’ll also examine key themes in social work, including history, social justice, diversity, privilege, and oppression.
In the community organizing and sustainability leadership courses, you’ll assess community needs and priorities, think through strategy for change, and reflect on how values, equity, relationships, power, and leadership shape organizations and communities. By the end, you’ll have practice applying policy, social justice, organizing, and leadership frameworks to real-world challenges.
Skills You'll Gain
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Social Policy
- Social Work
- Diversity Management
- Sustainable Leadership
- Policy Analysis
- Systems Thinking
- Ethical Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- Social Justice
- Leadership
- Sustainability Initiatives
- Community Advocacy
- Public Administration
- Public Policy Research
- Community Organizing
- Corporate Sustainability
Arthur Dunham Collegiate Professor Emeritus of Social Work, Professor Emeritus of Social Work
3 Learning Experiences
Professor Emerita of Public Policy, Gerald R Ford School of Public Policy and Professor Emerita of Health Management and Policy, School Public Health
5 Learning Experiences
Water Center Director, Clinical Professor of Environment and Sustainability, School for Environment and Sustainability
1 Learning Experience
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
4 Courses in this series
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Free U-M Access CourseUsing Public Policy for Social Change
Explore how public policy can drive social change by addressing social inequality across education, health, justice, and environmental systems.
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Free U-M Access CourseSocial Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
Build awareness and skills to engage diversity and advocate for social and economic justice in social work practice.
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Free U-M Access CourseCommunity Organizing for Social Justice
Develop strategies for building grassroots movements, setting goals, and organizing for justice in diverse, democratic communities.
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Free U-M Access CourseSustainability Leadership Development
Develop leadership skills to tackle sustainability challenges and drive social and environmental change within your organization or community.
