BYU Marriott
Below are a few examples of classes specifically offered through the Ballard Center to help students learn how to Do Good. Better. Many of these classes fulfill requirements for a number of different programs and majors across campus.
Talk to a Ballard Center for Social Impact advisor or click the links below to learn about the following opportunities:
- Incorporating these classes into your graduation plan
- Completing the Global and Community Impact Minor
- Declaring the MBA Social Impact emphasis
MSB 375: Social Impact: Do Good Better (3.0 credits) Fall/Winter
The Social Impact: Do Good Better course helps students from all majors discover various ways that they can get involved in social innovation (e.g., starting a social venture, working for a nonprofit, volunteering, etc.), develop skills to critically analyze social ventures, and create a personalized plan for how to live a life of purpose. It is the Ballard Center for Social Impact’s foundational course in social impact.
“Freshman year, I needed a couple extra credits and signed up for business management 375, which at the time I thought was a marketing class. I was disappointed to find out that it was the Do Good Better class taught by the Ballard Center. However, Do Good Better turned out to be the most impactful class of my college career. Not only did I talk three of my roommates into getting involved with the Ballard Center, but it also changed my whole approach to education and service.”
—Will
MSB 381R: Social Impact Lecture Series (1.0 credit) Fall/Winter
Come listen as various social innovators discuss their paths to making the world a better place.
“It’s been a year since I took the Social Impact Lecture Series, and I still think about that class every week, without question. As strange as it sounds, one of the biggest things I took away from the class is that social entrepreneurs are ordinary humans. Some are awkward, some are funny, and some like to go Dumpster diving. In just one semester, the perceived gulf between me and social entrepreneurship shortened into almost nothing. Because of the lecture series, I know that a meaningful career in social innovation is attainable for me.”
—Paul
MSB 492R/Section 1: Social Impact Internship (3.0 credits) Fall/Winter/Spring
Social Impact Projects (SIP) is the Ballard Center’s on-campus internship program that partners students with social impact organizations. In teams of three to five students from multiple majors, students learn how to craft innovative solutions to social issues for their partnered organizations in a semester-long project. To learn more and to apply, click here. Credit towards graduation is possible; see your college’s internship coordinator for more information.
Ballard Brief
MSB 472R: Ballard Brief (2.0 credits) Fall/Winter/Spring
The Ballard Brief program provides students with individual instruction in researching and writing a Ballard Brief, a multidisciplinary paper on an approved social problem of their choice. Taught by the Ballard Brief staff, this course teaches Changemakers the essential skills they need to deeply research the social issues they are most passionate about. Upon finishing the course, students’ briefs will be published to the Ballard Brief database, a comprehensive social-issue reference library. Students will meet monthly as a class and weekly with their assigned editors as they work to prepare a publishable Ballard Brief.
“I’ve always been passionate about [reducing nationwide youth vaping rates], but I didn’t understand it as well as I could have. I’ve begun to understand so much more through writing for Ballard Brief. I’ve developed a better understanding of what my nonprofit can actually do to solve this problem. Writing this brief has been really eye-opening.”
—Cade
MSB 481: Advanced Social Impact (2.0 credits) Fall/Winter
This course introduces students to a new array of funding models being used to grow sustainable social ventures, including venture philanthropy, outcomes-based funding, Pay for Success (a.k.a. social impact bonds), impact investing, and earned revenue models. Students will explore the links between a social venture’s impact model and its funding model and then learn to use these concepts to develop real-world approaches to sustainable funding.
“Advanced Social Impact has really opened my eyes to funding structures, government involvement, and best practices of nonprofit entities. Professor Shumway brings years of industry experience and frequently gives real examples of concepts from his professional life. It has really helped grow my skills in solving social problems.”
—Luke
MSB 484: Corporate Social Impact (3.0 credits) Fall/Winter
This course provides students with tactical skills to better influence companies to implement socially conscious projects and programs. Students will learn how various companies are funding research to cure diseases, providing food for hungry children, or working to raise families out of poverty as well as how to reduce their future company’s environmental impact, implement responsible ingredient sourcing, and work to ensure all employees receive equal opportunity. Instruction includes case studies, industry speakers, proposal training, and program innovation. This class is taught by Brent Goddard, who has an MBA from Harvard and is a CSI industry leader with more than 15 years of experience in solving social problems by implementing programs in corporate America.
“Being passionate about making a difference isn’t enough. Telling a company they should support a new program because it’s a good thing to do won’t convince anyone. However, this course equips students with the substance needed to understand how to make a difference and how to get companies on board to create that change.”
—Troy
