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The purpose of this doctoral minor is to train graduate students in the practice of community-engaged scholarship (CES), which is defined as teaching or research that is done in collaboration with community organizations or community partners in equitable, mutually beneficial, respectful relationships.

CES can include:

  • community-based (service) learning, in which students work with community organizations or members (typically through direct service, advocacy or policy efforts, or other project-based work) to enhance their academic learning, professional development, and personal development while providing tangible benefits to the community organization and its constituents.
  • community-based research, a spectrum of research including community-based participatory research and participatory action research. In this type of research, researchers work with community members to address research questions or issues identified by the community itself. These collaborations typically yield both academic research and useful outcomes or products for community members, who often act as co-researchers. Additionally, the relationships between community partners and researchers are mutually beneficial, equitable, and respectful.
  • other community engagement and outreach efforts, including scholarship on CES.

Graduate students in this doctoral minor may focus on one, several, or all facets of CES, depending on their interests. Through this minor, students will feel confident to teach community-based learning courses, conduct community-based research, and/or lead community engagement initiatives.

Students interested in pursuing an Option A (External) Doctoral Minor in Community-Engaged Scholarship should contact the Faculty Director to obtain a Minor Agreement Form. This form must be obtained prior to completing all of the coursework required for the minor.

Doctoral students in the Human Ecology PhD: Civil Society and Community Research program are not eligible to receive this doctoral minor.

Required Courses

COUN PSY 601 Best Practices in Community-Engaged Scholarship2
CSCS 811 Community-Based Research: Theory and Practice3
or CSCS 570 Community Based Research and Evaluation
CSCS 999 Independent Study1

Elective Courses

CSCS 813 Transformative Evaluation in Practice3
PUB AFFR/​POLI SCI  871 Public Program Evaluation3
C&E SOC/​SOC  573 Community Organization and Change3
SOC/​C&E SOC/​URB R PL  645 Modern American Communities3
ELPA/​INTER-HE  770 Community, Opportunity, and Justice3
PUBLHLTH 780 Evidence-Based Decision-Making3
  1. Apply theory and effective practices in the conduct of community-based research and evaluation.
  2. Utilize theories of translational and transformative learning and community change in performing engaged scholarship.
  3. Develop mutually beneficial and equitable partnerships with community organizations and members.
  4. Design and evaluate community-based programs for education and outreach using collaborative and participatory approaches.
  5. Demonstrate application of community-engaged scholarship through a presentation, report or other artifact involving a public/community audience.
  6. Cultivate a leadership style and communication skills that engage community partners in scholarship.

Cynthia Jasper, Department Chair | Civil Society and Community Studies

Elizabeth Tryon, Assistant Director of Community-Engaged Scholarship | Morgridge Center for Public Service

Lori Bakken, Professor | Civil Society and Community Studies

Anna Courtier, Director of Service Learning | WISCIENCE

Barbara Duerst, MPH Deputy Director | Population Health Sciences

Randy Stoecker, Professor | Community and Environmental Sociology

Gary Green, Professor | Community and Environmental Sociology

Peter Miller, Professor | Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis

Haley Madden, Community-Engaged Scholarship Specialist | Morgridge Center for Public Service