Socio-Economic Justice (certificate)


At a Glance: program details



What justice-related problems are associated with economic inequalities? Is justice possible, given wealth gaps and structural abandonment? What of racial capitalism, gendered dynamics of poverty and possible paths to material well-being? Explore such issues in depth, imagine and develop just praxes, and learn to enable action toward a just, transformative future.

Program Description

Certificate Awarded: Socio-Economic Justice (certificate)

This transdisciplinary graduate certificate in socioeconomic justice enables students to develop expertise in ideas and policies about the social and political phenomena that impact the material condition of injustices.

Students investigate the local and global conditions that give rise to economic and ecological precarities and social inequalities, as well as the practices that enable alternative economic approaches to wealth and labor, including wealth sharing, land and food sovereignty, and solidarity economy. The program fuses interests in political economy, structural inequalities and economic justice, allowing students to develop specialization and expertise in research and policy design in broad areas such as wealth sharing, income and land distribution, housing, food justice, employment and education.

This program complements the current graduate curriculum at ASU. It is structured to allow students to draw upon a combination of core courses in justice and social inquiry and coursework from units in the School of Social Transformation and throughout the university. The approach is transdisciplinary (i.e., inclusive of courses in a variety of disciplines but transcending disciplinary boundaries through an integrative core curriculum), intersectional (i.e., considering gender, race, class, disability, nation and sexual relations) and transnational (courses that examine global and local concerns). It is designed to enable students to deepen their knowledge about and develop research familiarity with the many facets of the global economy and its adverse effects on social and planetary justice.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 15 credit hours

Required Core (6 credit hours)
Students must select one course from each of the following two areas of study:

Economic Justice (3 credit hours)
JUS 550 Gender, Race and Economic Justice (3) or
JUS 660 Globalization and Economic Justice (3)

Conducting Research in Communities (3 credit hours)
JHR 525 Critical Methodologies in Social Justice and Human Rights (3) or
JUS 633 Community Research (3)

Electives (9 credit hours)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students must select three elective courses on socioeconomic justice from a restricted list; they should see the academic unit for the full list of possible courses.

Only one 400-level course may be listed on the plan of study. Students must have prior approval from the director of the certificate program to use any 400-level course.


Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. at least one letter of recommendation
  4. statement of purpose for pursuing the certificate
  5. writing sample demonstrating excellent writing and analytical skills
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

International students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the United States on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program.

The letter of recommendation, statement of purpose and writing sample should be submitted to the justice and social inquiry program office.


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Learning Outcomes

  • Students completing the graduate certificate in socioeconomic justice will demonstrate the ability to conduct systematic analyses (quantitative and qualitative) of the social and political dimensions of global and local economics and their implications for social justice.
  • Students completing the graduate certificate in socioeconomic justice will demonstrate knowledge of socio-economic and intersectional dimensions of justice, in relation to public policies at the local, national and global level.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared to work in government, law, justice-related organizations, and research think tanks, teach at community colleges, and pursue further graduate studies in justice-related fields.

Global Opportunities

Global Experience

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.