Offered in: Chicago

The Social Justice Studies B.A. is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on questions of social justice and prepares students for careers in social justice oriented public service. Students studying Social Justice at Roosevelt University seek not only to understand how current systems of injustice are perpetuated, but how to transform those systems to create a new world that honors the rights and dignity of every person. 

Social Justice majors acquire the theoretical and substantive skills necessary to identify and analyze social justice issues, as well as developing the practical and professional tools needed to prepare them for careers in social justice work. To prepare for analyzing social justice issues, majors take courses that provide a broad background in approaches to social justice and can choose from a broad array of courses focusing on specific social justice issues, including: racial justice, economic justice and workers' rights, anti-capitalism and alter-globalization, LGBTQIA rights, immigrant and migrant rights, economic justice, and sustainability. Courses in public policy, nonprofit management, community organizing, data analysis, and communication prepare majors to translate their degrees into careers focused on creating social change. 

Social Justice Studies majors often go on to careers in nonprofit organizations, government public service agencies, and community organizing. The Social Justice Studies BA also provides a strong foundation for graduate school. Students interested in law school are encouraged to consider adding a minor in either Legal Studies or Paralegal Studies and to connect with Roosevelt's Pre-Law  advising. Students interested in careers in nonprofit or government public service work may want to consider Roosevelt's accelerated Social Justice Studies BA/ MPA.

Social Justice Studies majors are encouraged to pursue a minor in related and complementary fields, such as Journalism, International Studies, Sustainability Studies, History, Paralegal Studies, Political Science, and Legal Studies.

Requirements

• Social Justice Studies majors must complete 11 courses (33 credit hours).
• Social Justice Studies majors must take all three core courses within the major.
• Students must take one course from each of the professional skills categories, for a total of five courses: Communication, Community Organizing, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, and Data Analysis.
• To fulfill their electives in social justice issues, student may choose any three courses with a SOCJ designation or social justice studies attribute. At least one elective must be at the 300-level. Students who wish to use their electives to create their own area of emphasis can do so in consultation with the Social Justice Studies program director. 
• A grade of C or higher is required in all courses in the major (2.0 GPA)
• At least 15 credit hours in the major must be taken at Roosevelt University

Students completing a Social Justice Studies BA are encouraged to take ECON 101 PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS I to fulfill part of their social sciences CORE requirements as this is a prerequisite for some of the required courses in the major. 

Students interested in graduate programs in social science or public policy are encouraged to take MATH 217 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS/ECON 234 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS/SOC 291 SOCIAL STATISTICS: INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY & STATISTICS (3 credit hours) and ECON 346 INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS (3 credit hours)

CORE Requirements (General Education)

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Higher level of Math may be required by major

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Coursework must come from outside of students' major discipline

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A maximum of 9 credits can be applied from a single discipline towards humanities and social science requirements

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Digital Advertising and Public Relations Majors must complete COMM 110 with a grade of C or higher. This course can fulfill one Social Science requirement. 

These quantitative requirements also apply to degrees.

• Students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours.
• Students may apply no more than 60 credit hours of 100-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must apply no fewer than 60 credit hours of 200- and 300-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must have at least 18 credit hours (of the 60 credit hours above) at the 300 level.
• Students may transfer in no more than 70 credit hours from community colleges.
• Students earning less than 60 total hours in residence must take their final 30 hours at Roosevelt University. Note that some majors have additional requirements for RU hours.
• Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to graduate. Note that some majors have additional GPA requirements.
• Students may apply no more than 51 hours in the major (BA) or 57 hours in the major (BS)

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change; however you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program so always consult your degree audit in Degree Works.

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

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 Or course towards an optional Minor

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 One Natural Science course must have a lab. 

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Satisfies CORE Experiential Learning requirement.  Experiential Learning courses must be 200/300 level. 

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ECON 101, POS 101 and SOC 101 recommended.

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Any course with the SOCJ designation or Social Justice Studies attribute