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    Leadership and Social Change Online Course
    Online Program

    Leadership and Social Change Online Course

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Study how social movements create change, practice socially responsible leadership, and develop a community Action Plan through Brown’s online course.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Leadership and Social Change at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Completing grades 9-12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $5,778

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    PoliticsSocial Sciences
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: 8×1h Tue/Thu; 15-20h/week total
    Mentor model: Instructor/TA one-on-one office hours
    Assessment style: Capstone and narrative instructor report
    Main deliverable / output: Community Action Plan and oral presentation
    Certificate: Digital Certificate of Completion
    Time-zone / scheduling model: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Eastern

    Leadership and Social Change summary

    Brown’s course examines how communities pursue social change through service, organizing, philanthropy, politics, and legal advocacy. Students compare the strengths and limitations of each approach.

    The experience combines case studies and leadership practice with an Action Plan for a community issue. It suits students who want to connect an interest in justice with a practical next step.

    What is Leadership and Social Change Online Course?

    Leadership and Social Change Online Course is a Brown University Pre-College course exploring how people organize for a more just society. It examines direct service, community organizing, philanthropy, electoral politics, and legislative/legal advocacy through historical and contemporary justice movements.

    Students combine independent study with live workshops, case studies, guest speakers, discussions, and presentations. They reflect on their leadership style and receive support to develop an Action Plan addressing a problem in their community.

    Why Succeed highlights Leadership and Social Change

    • Comparing five approaches to change helps students move beyond treating activism as a single method.

    • The Action Plan connects academic discussion with a realistic community project.

    • An interview with a leader adds a practical perspective to historical and contemporary case studies.

    • Individual instructor support and a narrative performance report encourage reflection on progress.

    Who is Leadership and Social Change for?

    Best for

    Students who care about a community issue and want to test different approaches to change while practicing collaborative leadership.

    Not ideal if

    You need fully self-paced study or college credit, since live attendance is required and the course is non-credit.

    Is Leadership and Social Change worth it?

    The course offers a useful structure for turning concern about a social issue into a considered plan of action. Its strongest feature is the connection between case-study analysis, leadership reflection, and a capstone students can apply in their own communities.

    The value depends on taking that work beyond the classroom and engaging consistently with instructors and peers. It is a substantial financial commitment, provides no college credit, and should not be treated as a route to Brown undergraduate admission.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,778; includes Two required one-hour live workshops each week., Individual instructor or Teaching Associate office-hour support., Action Plan development and oral presentation., Virtual University Library resources., Writing Center and English-language support services., Digital Certificate of Completion after successful completion., Instructor Course Performance Report..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; 8×1h Tue/Thu; 15-20h/week total.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main output is a feasible Action Plan addressing a social problem in your community.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    It is a capstone project addressing an issue in your community. Instructors and Teaching Associates help you set realistic goals, identify support, anticipate challenges, and prepare an oral presentation.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Leadership and Social Change need?

    Effort level

    Substantial, with approximately 15-20 hours of weekly coursework.

    Best started

    Allow four to six weeks before the next application deadline for essays, grade records, and any language assessment.

    Main challenge

    Turning a broad social concern into a feasible community Action Plan.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a community issue you can describe concretely and identify one question you want to investigate.

    • Gather current and previous academic-year grade records, then draft the required application essay in your own words.

    • Reserve the required live meeting times and regular independent study time.

    • Allow about three hours for Canvas orientation during the week before the course begins.

    Useful if

    You want to practice leadership while exploring political science and sociology.

    What do students do on Leadership and Social Change?

    You investigate how social movements work and practice the leadership skills needed to collaborate with others. The course culminates in a supported Action Plan and an oral presentation to peers.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete Canvas orientation and review course expectations.

    2. 2

      Examine historical and contemporary justice movements through readings, films, guest speakers, and case studies.

    3. 3

      Compare the values, tactics, impact, and limitations of different approaches to social change.

    4. 4

      Interview a leader to investigate a real-world application of social change.

    5. 5

      Reflect on your leadership style and practice listening, facilitation, conflict resolution, and public speaking.

    6. 6

      Develop a realistic community Action Plan with instructor and Teaching Associate support.

    7. 7

      Present your Action Plan orally to classmates.

    Leadership and Social Change dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    General Brown Pre-College admissions deadline.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College application opening.

    Reference date

    Scholarship application

    12 March 2026

    Separate Sibley Scholarship application.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Reference date

    Course orientation

    15-21 June 2026

    Self-paced Canvas orientation, completed by 21 June.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 9-12.

    • Ages 14-18 by June 14, 2026 for the reference cycle.

    • No specific prior experience or knowledge required.

    • Commitment to community social change through an ongoing action plan.

    • Strong English language proficiency.

    • One Leadership Institute course per summer.

    How much does Leadership and Social Change cost?

    Program fee

    $5,778 — 2026 four-week online course.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment; generally non-refundable.
    • Sibley Scholarship: Need-based assistance — Separate application; awards vary and cover one course per year.

    What's included

    Two required one-hour live workshops each week., Individual instructor or Teaching Associate office-hour support., Action Plan development and oral presentation., Virtual University Library resources., Writing Center and English-language support services., Digital Certificate of Completion after successful completion., Instructor Course Performance Report.

    How to apply to Leadership and Social Change

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account in the Brown Pre-College student portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and an original 250-500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English, plus applicable language assessment results.

    4. 4

      Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible fee waiver.

    5. 5

      Submit any optional recommendation you declare and respond to requests for additional materials.

    6. 6

      Monitor your portal and email for the admissions decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, confirm your intended course selection before paying the non-refundable deposit.

    8. 8

      Enroll separately in the course through your student portal.

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    Learning format

    The course combines daily asynchronous work in Canvas with required one-hour Zoom workshops on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Plan for approximately 15-20 hours each week overall, including readings, written discussions, recorded content, Action Plan work, live meetings, and individual instructor support.

    Complete the required Canvas orientation during the week before the course begins, allowing approximately three hours.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Victoria Lonardo is the named instructor for the verified section.

    • Instructor or Teaching Associate one-on-one office hours support course learning.

    • Instructors and Teaching Associates help shape your Action Plan.

    • Capstone support includes realistic goals, resource people, and anticipated challenges.

    • Writing Center appointments provide support with writing assignments.

    • An instructor Course Performance Report evaluates your work and engagement.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Required workshops meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
    • Attendance is required regardless of your local time zone.
    • Independent coursework can be organized around your own daily schedule.
    • Log into Canvas daily and plan for 15-20 hours weekly overall.

    Tech requirements

    • A computer with a reliable internet connection.

    • A built-in or external webcam and microphone.

    • A word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

    • A PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat.

    • Zoom for live sessions and Canvas for coursework.

    Assessment style

    Assessment centers on coursework, an Action Plan capstone, an oral presentation, and a narrative instructor report without formal grades or college credit.

    • Analyze social change case studies.
    • Interview a leader about real-world social change.
    • Develop and orally present your Action Plan.
    • Complete readings, assignments, discussions, and assessments on time.
    • Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main output is a feasible Action Plan addressing a social problem in your community.

    • An oral Action Plan presentation to peers.

    • An interview investigating a leader’s approach to social change.

    • A digital Certificate of Completion after successful completion.

    • An instructor Course Performance Report.

    Leadership and Social Change FAQs

    You will compare direct service, community organizing, philanthropy, electoral politics, and legislative/legal advocacy through historical and contemporary social movements.

    No. It combines independent coursework with required Tuesday and Thursday live sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

    Plan for approximately 15 to 20 hours each week, including independent reading, discussions, live workshops, and work on your Action Plan.

    It is a capstone project addressing an issue in your community. Instructors and Teaching Associates help you set realistic goals, identify support, anticipate challenges, and prepare an oral presentation.

    The course is non-credit and does not issue a transcript. Successful completion earns a digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report.

    No. Admission and course enrollment are separate steps, and admission does not guarantee a seat in a specific course.

    Students can request reasonable accommodations for learning, psychological, or physical disabilities. Brown encourages early contact with accessibility services, ideally at least three weeks before the program starts.

    Brown expects applicants to complete most of the application independently. Parents and guardians participate in required enrollment forms and can support planning.

    Alternatives to Leadership and Social Change

    Compare these options if you want a different balance of leadership, politics, and academic study.

    Alternatives to Leadership and Social Change

    Leadership Summer Course

    In-person leadership study in Oxford

    Social Sciences
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £5495
    13-24
    Oxford
    In-person

    Best for

    Students seeking an in-person leadership course

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Sibley Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Pre-College Online
    • Leadership Institute Online | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Leadership Institute
    • 2026 Program Costs — Breakdown of Fees
    • Leadership and Social Change - Pre-College Course Catalog"

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Age and prerequisites reviewed

    • Live schedule and workload checked

    • Program fee and deposit reviewed

    • Application requirements checked

    • Certificate and credit terms reviewed

    • Scholarship eligibility reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.