Why Major in Public Advocacy?
Belmont's Public Advocacy major challenges students to use communication responsibly and effectively in order to enact positive social change.
The purpose of this interdisciplinary program is to prepare students for lives and careers focused on the use of communication to improve the public good. This purpose reinforces our Belmont commitment to prepare students to be diverse leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and transformational mindset, eager and equipped to make the world a better place.
Equipping students with communication skills aimed at creating and sustaining social change requires, in addition to personal communication skills, a deep understanding of historical and cultural roots of our current situation. Consequently, at its core, Public Advocacy is situated at the nexus of the liberal arts and professional action.
Public Advocacy is about creating change and requires skills in audience analysis, message development and use of communication tools. Because there is significant potential for use of these skills and understandings for personal gain and power, this program will emphasize ethical choices, integrity, service and humility.
What You'll Learn
- Audience analysis skills
- Effectively develop messages
- use communication tools to drive social change
- Gain a deep understanding of historical, political and cultural roots of current day events
- Conduct research
Career Possibilities
- Nonprofit Administration Management
- Grant Writing
- Fundraising/Development
- Volunteer Coordination Program Coordination
- Event Coordination
- Media Analysis/Planning
- Creative Directing Writing/Editing
- Public Opinion and/or Information Research
- Community Affairs
- Campaigning
- Legislative Assistance
- Lobbying
- Government Program Administration
- Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
Program Details
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
- Belmont IJM is a chapter of International Justice Mission, the world's largest anti-slavery organization, based out of Washington DC. Students work to raise funds and awareness about the issues of slavery and human trafficking around the world, pray as a community for the freedom of all people and mobilize students and the Nashville community to advocate for those who do not have a voice or a chance to protect themselves.
- Student Government Association: SGA positively impacts Belmont University, to the best of their ability, by collaborating between students and administration, supporting student organizations, fostering character and abiding by the Christian standards set forth by Belmont University. Through this, SGA will enable students to have an impact on Belmont and the surrounding community that will outlast themselves.
- Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL): an annual legislative session conducted by college students from across Tennessee that provides students with an opportunity to learn about the Tennessee state government and to express their opinions on state issues. This model legislature convenes in the State Capitol for four days and consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, which debate bills that are produced wholly by the students.
- College Democrats: Belmont College Democrats is a student organization centered around diversity celebrating, community building, robust discussion, civic activism and the exploration of political ideology.
- College Republicans: Belmont College Republicans encourages whomever considers themselves to have conservative values or beliefs (or none at all) to come out and see what they are all about. Their focus is to spread the true meaning of what it is to be a Republican, and they hope to straighten out some misconceptions. We hope to form a community of students who enjoy discussing their political opinions, creating a healthy amount of political awareness on campus.
- United Nations Association at Belmont University: The United Nations Association is a nationwide organization with a mission to educate, advocate and inspire on behalf of the United Nations. What makes our chapter unique is our concerted effort to serve locally and inspire globally in accordance with the 17 sustainable development goals released in 2016. Our chapter will host knowledgeable global leaders to educate us on global issues. We will also host monthly meetings and volunteer opportunities based on the sustainable development goals we are passionate about as an organization. Please join us and learn how to serve as a global leader and local leader!
- Belmont Pre-Law Society: This organization is dedicated to educating students on trial advocacy and social justice, all the while giving them the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in law school. Our goal is to build a community of ambitious students who are invested in helping members of the student body reach informed decisions about their futures. We aim to promote general interest in legal processes and professions by hosting engaging speakers from different areas of the legal field and organizing a diverse series of information sessions, LSAT preparation workshops, volunteer opportunities, networking programs and social events. Additionally, we are affiliated with the American Mock Trial Association and sponsor two competitive mock trial teams that compete numerous times each year. Through our pre-law programming and participation in collegiate mock trial, we hope to enhance student preparedness through providing the tools and resources necessary to effectively navigate the law school admissions process.
- UNICEF Belmont: UNICEF’s mission is to promote the rights and well-being of every child. This organization carries out various activities to meet the needs of children in developing countries. This organization is designed to educate, fundraise and raise awareness and will fundraise for UNICEF each semester.
- Belmont Ascend: The organization's main goal is to create a diverse community, foster a global mindset among all Belmont students, develop cross-cultural fluency and prepare Belmont graduates to lead on a global scale. In collaboration with Center for Global Citizenship, Ascend student organization will sponsor monthly series, including global summit, global executive spotlight, townhalls, global experiences, volunteering in the community and opportunities to engage with students from other countries.
- Tower Creative Communications is the nationally affiliated, student-run strategic communication agency at Belmont University. Established in 2006 as a professional development initiative of Belmont’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Tower Creative strives to deliver excellent communication strategies and tactics to meet actual needs, solve real problems and, ultimately, advance their clients’ missions. The agency welcomes a diverse group of student associates—from any major or minor—with knowledge and skills in public relations, marketing, management, audio/video production, graphic design, photography, social media management, web design and writing. Working together, associates sharpen their skills, build their portfolios and bolster their confidence while serving the communication needs of on- and off-campus clients.
Student Testimonial
"The Public Advocacy major at Belmont is an incredible program that I am so grateful to be a part of. The classes are eye-opening and challenge students to put aside biases and see the world through unique perspectives. It takes typical communications courses to a new level by teaching students to think outside the box and use their voices for progress."
Miriam Blake, Class of 2025
Earn your MSW in five years
Belmont's 4+1 pathway lets you finish your Public Advocacy degree and a Master of Social Work in five years instead of six. Foundational social work courses are built into your undergraduate program, so you qualify for advanced standing in the MSW and complete the graduate degree in one additional year. An MSW qualifies you for licensed practice and senior leadership roles in nonprofits, policy and community organizations — pairing your advocacy skills with the credential to lead.
Request Information
Contact Us
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Sophie Chua
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.8335