Opportunities to make a difference in the community come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone has talents and skills that can be used to help others. But determining how to best use personal strengths to support the community can be a daunting task. The Office of Community Engagement on the OU-Tulsa campus has developed a graduate certificate to provide students with the knowledge and skills to positively impact the world around them.
“I was motivated to learn about [community engagement] after being involved in community development and community capacity building for almost two decades,” said Robert Kusnadi, a member of the current cohort of the certificate. “I would recommend the program for those who want to equip themselves more effectively in engaging with community.”
The graduate certificate in community engagement allows students to explore how they are uniquely suited to impact their community. This certificate is designed to fit with any student’s schedule and can augment any of the graduate and professional education degree programs offered at OU-Tulsa, OU Norman, or the OU Health Sciences Center. The certificate is currently enrolling for its second cohort with a deadline of August 15.
“This certificate is a great opportunity for graduate students from any of our campuses to learn from some of the greatest minds today working in the realm of community engagement,” says Dr. Ken Randall, PT, PhD, MHR, Associate Dean in the College of Allied Health and one of the two directors of the Office of Community Engagement at OU-Tulsa. “And not only to learn, but also to practice and strengthen their skills through giving back to their community. It should give any graduate a real educational edge and is a great way to distinguish themselves from fellow graduates.”
“I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn how to use their skills on a larger scale and bring change and support to their community,” said Allison Careswell, another student in the current cohort of the Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement.
The four sequential courses include:
The Science of Community Engagement – provides an evidence-based foundation of knowledge about the collaborative world of community engagement.
The Tools of Community Engagement – defines resources available to assist community partners and assess outcomes.
Community Engagement Apprenticeship – work with a mentor associated with a particular community partner selected by the learner and program faculty.
Community Engagement Capstone – program implementation experience with a community partner and while receiving advice and guidance from course faculty.
Click here to learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement. Link: https://www.ou.edu/tulsasooners/degrees-programs/graduate-certificate-in-community-engagement
