By completing the Diversity and Social Advocacy pathway you will explore the significance
of your experiences and the skills you have learned while focusing on issues of social
justice. You will examine the challenges that face marginalized identities and communities including,
but not limited to ability, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, race, or religion.
You will focus on a specific marginalized identity or community by immersing yourself
in service to that community and completing a research or advocacy project related
to that community. To receive Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Diversity
and Social Advocacy you must complete the appropriate pathway requirements for the
degree level you are pursuing.
The first step towards pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Diversity and Social Advocacy
is to complete the GLD Orientation.
Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience
You must participate in 200 hours of immersion in, or service to, a community that experiences societal challenges, documented through community service, internship, peer leadership, and/or other experiences related to social advocacy issues in the United States. You may use multiple experiences to earn the 200 hours, but at least half (100 hours) must come from one experience. You will be required to submit a proposal describing the population or issue with which you have, will be, or are currently working. The proposal will be submitted within the GLD experience record and application.
In addition, you must also complete a 30-hour research or advocacy project related to the population or issue you proposed for your 200 hours of service, internship, or peer leadership. This may be accomplished through development of community services, political activism/policy change, or research. The research or advocacy project may be done in connection with the service site of Part A (200 hours), but must be completed outside of regular duties and responsibilities of the role. Example themes for experiences and projects include:
- Pediatric health: Serving as a pediatric intern in a local community and completing research on health care providers' knowledge of child maltreatment
- Refugees: Volunteering with refugee services and completing research on outcomes of survivors served by the Libertas Center
- Support for the homeless: Interning with a homeless shelter and creating a database for the shelter to recruit volunteers to serve the homeless community more efficiently
- Multicultural students: Serving as an OMSA Peer Educator and completing the Social Justice Advocacy Program certificate.
Students are required to submit a verification letter written by the supervisor on company letterhead, that includes the date of the community service, internship/work experience, or peer leadership experience, hours worked/interned, title of position, supervisor’s information, and a brief overview of the role in which you served.
International Students: Prior to engaging in on or off-campus employment, internship, or practicum experiences, please visit International Student Services and consult an ISS advisor to learn about your employment options and determine your eligibility as well as obtain any required authorizations.
Enhancement Experiences
You must participate in three (3) enhancement experiences. An enhancement experience is a beyond the classroom engagement that increases your understanding of topics or issues related to your pathway. Enhancement experiences can be one-time or ongoing events that require passive attendance or active participation and discussion. These experiences may take place on or off campus. Examples include, but are not limited to: workshops, lectures, conferences/presentations, official meetings, job shadowing, and out-of-class events/trips. Enhancement experiences may not be double counted toward the fulfillment of the publication/presentation requirement. Use the OMSA webpage, university calendar, and My USC Experience Database to find enhancement experiences.
Coursework
You must complete six (6) credit hours with a B or better from the approved course list for the Diversity and Social Advocacy pathway. You may not double count your coursework toward fulfilling the GLD core experience requirement. If you have not taken courses from the approved list, you may list and describe in your own words up to two courses (6 credit hours) that were particularly meaningful for your pathway. You should have earned a B or better for these courses.
Public Presentation
You must complete a public publication or presentation related to a meaningful beyond the classroom experience. Publications and presentations must be of a professional nature. You are strongly encouraged to present your work at Discover USC. If you wish to fulfill this requirement in a way other than presenting at Discovery USC, you can find the information about Alternative Presentations on the Presentation page.
Your presentation must meet certain expectations [pdf] such as focusing on your experience within the Community Service pathway and explaining what you have done, what you have learned from your experiences (including coursework) and how you will use this learning in the future.
ePortfolio
You must complete a GLD ePortfolio demonstrating the significance of your within-and-beyond the classroom experiences related to your pathway. The two ways of completing the ePortfolio are taking a course that supports the creation of the GLD ePortfolio (such as Univ 401 for GLD) or by attending an ePortfolio workshop and then working with a GLD advisor.
Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience
You must participate in 80 hours of immersion in, or service to, a community that experiences societal challenges, documented through community service, internship, peer leadership, and/or other experiences related to social advocacy issues in the United States. You may use multiple experiences to earn the 80 hours, but at least half (40 hours) must come from one experience. You will be required to submit a proposal describing the population or issue with which you have, will be, or are currently working. The proposal will be submitted within the GLD experience record and application.
In addition, you must also complete a 15-hour research or advocacy project related to the population or issue you proposed for your 80 hours of service, internship, or peer leadership. This may be accomplished through development of community services, political activism/policy change, or research. The research or advocacy project may be done in connection with the service site of Part A (80 hours), but must be completed outside of regular duties and responsibilities of the role. Example themes for experiences and projects include:
- Pediatric health: Serving as a pediatric intern in a local community and completing research on health care providers' knowledge of child maltreatment
- Refugees: Volunteering with refugee services and completing research on outcomes of survivors served by the Libertas Center
- Support for the homeless: Interning with a homeless shelter and creating a database for the shelter to recruit volunteers to serve the homeless community more efficiently
- Multicultural students: Serving as an OMSA Peer Educator and completing the Social Justice Advocacy Program certificate.
Students are required to submit a verification letter written by the supervisor on company letterhead, that includes the date of the community service, internship/work experience, or peer leadership experience, hours worked/interned, title of position, supervisor’s information, and a brief overview of the role in which you served.
International Students: Prior to engaging in on or off-campus employment, internship, or practicum experiences, please visit International Student Services and consult an ISS advisor to learn about your employment options and determine your eligibility as well as obtain any required authorizations.
Enhancement Experiences
You must participate in three (3) enhancement experiences. An enhancement experience is a beyond the classroom engagement that increases your understanding of topics or issues related to your pathway. Enhancement experiences can be one-time or ongoing events that require passive attendance or active participation and discussion. These experiences may take place on or off campus. Examples include, but are not limited to: workshops, lectures, conferences/presentations, official meetings, job shadowing, and out-of-class events/trips. Enhancement experiences may not be double counted toward the fulfillment of the publication/presentation requirement. Use the OMSA webpage, university calendar, and My USC Experience Database to find enhancement experiences.
Coursework
You must complete three (3) credit hours with a B or better from the approved course list for the Diversity and Social Advocacy pathway. You may not double count your coursework toward fulfilling the GLD core experience requirement. If you have not taken courses from the approved list, you may list and describe in your own words up to two courses (3 credit hours) that were particularly meaningful for your pathway. You should have earned a B or better for these courses.
Public Presentation
You must complete a public publication or presentation related to a meaningful beyond the classroom experience. Publications and presentations must be of a professional nature. You are strongly encouraged to present your work at Discover USC. If you wish to fulfill this requirement in a way other than presenting at Discovery USC, you can find the information about Alternative Presentations on the Presentation page.
Your presentation must meet certain expectations [pdf] such as focusing on your experience within the Community Service pathway and explaining what you have done, what you have learned from your experiences (including coursework) and how you will use this learning in the future.
ePortfolio
You must complete a GLD ePortfolio demonstrating the significance of your within-and-beyond the classroom experiences related to your pathway. The two ways of completing the ePortfolio are taking a course that supports the creation of the GLD ePortfolio (such as Univ 401 for GLD) or by attending an ePortfolio workshop and then working with a GLD advisor.
Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience
You must participate in 300 hours of immersion in, or service to, a community that experiences societal challenges, documented through community service, internship, peer leadership, and/or other experiences related to social advocacy issues in the United States. You may use multiple experiences to earn the 300 hours, but at least half (150 hours) must come from one experience. You will be required to submit a proposal describing the population or issue with which you have, will be, or are currently working. The proposal will be submitted within the GLD experience record and application.
In addition, you must also complete a 45-hour research or advocacy project related to the population or issue you proposed for your 300 hours of service, internship, or peer leadership. This may be accomplished through development of community services, political activism/policy change, or research. The research or advocacy project may be done in connection with the service site of Part A (300 hours), but must be completed outside of regular duties and responsibilities of the role. Example themes for experiences and projects include:
- Pediatric health: Serving as a pediatric intern in a local community and completing research on health care providers' knowledge of child maltreatment
- Refugees: Volunteering with refugee services and completing research on outcomes of survivors served by the Libertas Center
- Support for the homeless: Interning with a homeless shelter and creating a database for the shelter to recruit volunteers to serve the homeless community more efficiently
- Multicultural students: Serving as an OMSA Peer Educator and completing the Social Justice Advocacy Program certificate.
Students are required to submit a verification letter written by the supervisor on company letterhead, that includes the date of the community service, internship/work experience, or peer leadership experience, hours worked/interned, title of position, supervisor’s information, and a brief overview of the role in which you served.
International Students: Prior to engaging in on or off-campus employment, internship, or practicum experiences, please visit International Student Services and consult an ISS advisor to learn about your employment options and determine your eligibility as well as obtain any required authorizations.
Enhancement Experiences
You must participate in four (4) enhancement experiences. An enhancement experience is a beyond the classroom engagement that increases your understanding of topics or issues related to your pathway. Enhancement experiences can be one-time or ongoing events that require passive attendance or active participation and discussion. These experiences may take place on or off campus. Examples include, but are not limited to: workshops, lectures, conferences/presentations, official meetings, job shadowing, and out-of-class events/trips. Enhancement experiences may not be double counted toward the fulfillment of the publication/presentation requirement. Use the OMSA webpage, university calendar, and My USC Experience Database to find enhancement experiences.
Coursework
You must complete nine (9) credit hours with a B or better from the approved course list for the Diversity and Social Advocacy pathway. You may not double count your coursework toward fulfilling the GLD core experience requirement. If you have not taken courses from the approved list, you may list and describe in your own words up to two courses (9 credit hours) that were particularly meaningful for your pathway. You should have earned a B or better for these courses.
Public Presentation
You must complete a public publication or presentation related to a meaningful beyond the classroom experience. Publications and presentations must be of a professional nature. You are strongly encouraged to present your work at Discover USC. If you wish to fulfill this requirement in a way other than presenting at Discovery USC, you can find the information about Alternative Presentations on the Presentation page.
Your presentation must meet certain expectations [pdf] such as focusing on your experience within the Community Service pathway and explaining what you have done, what you have learned from your experiences (including coursework) and how you will use this learning in the future.
ePortfolio
You must complete a GLD ePortfolio demonstrating the significance of your within-and-beyond the classroom experiences related to your pathway. The two ways of completing the ePortfolio are taking a course that supports the creation of the GLD ePortfolio (such as Univ 401 for GLD) or by attending an ePortfolio workshop and then working with a GLD advisor.