Community Development and Social Justice Program
The Community Development and Social Justice Scholars Program (CDSJ) provides AAP undergraduate students with a service learning opportunity that integrates research and practice in preparation for graduate study in social welfare, public policy, urban planning, labor/workplace studies, and public health.
Additionally, students are paired with an AAP Graduate Mentor who provides students with mentoring in their areas of interest, as well as advises them on the graduate school application process. Scholars also develop their resumes and/or curriculum vitae, personal and professional statements, and obtain strong letters of recommendations from professors and employers.
»DOWNLOAD: 2011 CDSJ application (322k) >
»DOWNLOAD: Winter 2010 syllabus (20k) >
»DOWNLOAD: Learn more about the four different CDSJ fields!! (76k) >
Students apply for the AAP Community Development and Social Justice Program in the Fall quarter. The program requires a two term commitment (Winter & Spring).
The objectives of CDSJ are to:
* Provide scholars with opportunities to engage in internships and applied research within their field of interest
* Expose scholars to theory, research, and practice that incorporates social justice and empowerment of under-served and marginalized communities
* Develop a community of mutual support and collaboration within the CDSJ cohort
* Empower scholars to pursue graduate/professional school within the CDSJ fields and become agents of change for their communities.
Eligibility Requirements
*Be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time at UCLA
*Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of United States with a valid social security or individual tax identification number. All legal permanent residents must submit a copy of their valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.
*Have Junior level standing (at least 90 units)
*Demonstrate academic potential for graduate study
*Express an interest in graduate or professional school in social welfare, public policy, urban planning or public health
*Students who participate in the McNair Research Scholars Program and Educators for Tomorrow Program may not apply to the CDSJ program.
*Students who receive the AAP Scholarship or Wilson Scholarship will not be eligible to receive a CDSJ stipend.
Selection Criteria
Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:
*Academic record, plans, and career goals
*Demonstrated financial need
*Community service
*Demonstrated desire to pursue a graduate degree in social welfare, public policy, urban planning or public health
*Compelling essay responses
Students apply for the AAP Community Development and Social Justice Program in the Fall quarter. The program requires a three term commitment (Winter, Spring, and the following Fall).
Winter Quarter
- Enroll in Civic Engagement 95 & complete a 40-hour internship at a community site
- Attend bi-weekly CDSJ cohort seminars
- Attend bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with CDSJ Graduate Coordinator
-Receive a $1500 stipend
Spring Quarter
- Develop a small scale applied research project based on internship experience
- Attend weekly CDSJ cohort seminars
- Attend bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with CDSJ Graduate Coordinator
- Present research at Westwind/Aleph Undergraduate Research Conference at UCLA
- Receive a $1500 stipend
Applications for CDSJ are available HERE. They are due in our office on November 10th at 5pm in 1202 Campbell Hall.
Info Sessions
To learn more about the CDSJ program, please attend one of our info sessions!
October 10, 12-1:30pm, 1224 Campbell Hall
October 25, 3-5 pm, 1224 Campbell Hall
For more information, please feel free to contact us.
Aresha Martinez
CDSJ Coordinator
aresham@college.ucla.edu
(310) 794-4186
CDSJ Scholars - 2010
Melissa Beckles- Public Health
Carolina Bracamonte- Public Health
Erika Cabato- Public Health
Randy Mai- Urban Planning
Kenyada McClean- Urban Planning & Law
Sara Ordaz- Public Policy
Maria Patino- Urban Planning
Diane Velez- Public Health & Urban Planning
CDSJ Graduate School Placements
Anh Chu - San Diego State University, public health
Idania Martinez - UCLA, social welfare
Enedina Ruiz - UCLA, urban planning
Serena Salinas - UC Davis, law
Steve Sandoval - University of Southern California, social welfare
Tommy Tseng - Harvard University, public policy
CDSJ News
Congratulations to CDSJ alumna Maribel Meza who has been accepted into the New Leaders Council
CDSJ Alumni Profiles
Anh Chu is an MPH student in the Health Promotions program at San Diego State University and will graduate in Spring 2011.
Tifhanie Coleman graduated with her MSW from CSULA in June 2010, where she received a CALSWEC stipend of $18,500 for two years, and will be working for DCFS in beginning August 2010.
Jeric Huang received his MPP from UC Berkeley and now works for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in San Francisco.
Evelyn Herrera is a social worker for Los Angeles County DCFS.
Karume James is a community organizer for Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Rocio Mercado completed her MA, International Policy, Monterey Institute
Maribel Meza works as a Policy Analyst for Advancement Project LA.
Carmen Ortiz is working as a business property appraiser for the Los Angeles County.
Robert Rodriguez completed his MSW at UCLA Spring 2010.
Enedina Ruiz is interning at San Benito County Public Works Department while waiting for graduate school admissions,
Steve Sandoval loves his job as a case worker in the city of Los Angeles. He has applied for MPH and MSW programs.
William Tuong will attend medical school at UC Davis in Fall 2010.
LaToya Walker works a case manager for Shields for Families.
AAP Junior Scholars >
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