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Social Justice

Program Overview

Program Overview

This minor is only available to students who are not majoring in Social Work.

The social justice minor is designed to give non-social work majors the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of social justice values, issues, and advocacy around those issues. According to the National Association of Social Workers (2020), “Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities". The primary goals for the minor in social justice are to enhance sensitivity to marginalized and at-risk populations, to provide opportunity for critical review of social policies and the allocation of societal resources, and to stimulate interest in social advocacy.

Courses

Courses

The Social Justice minor requires a total of 18 credit hours. 

Specific courses required:

  • SW 1103 - Introduction to Social Work (3) F, SP

  • SW 2313 - Social Policy Practice and Advocacy (3) F

  • SW 3113 - Race and Ethnic Groups (3) SP, SU

  • SW 3123 - Trauma Informed Care (3) SP

Six hours selected from:

  • SW 3313 - Child Welfare (3) F
  • SW 3333 - Juvenile Justice (3) SP
  • SW 2353 - Effects of Disability (3) F
  • SW 3223 - Social Work with Aging (3) F
  • UBN 2023 - Wealth, Poverty, and the City (3) F

Service learning

We provide you the opportunity to enhance your academic understanding by applying what you’ve learned in class to service projects that benefit our community. Before graduation, you’ll participate in at least two SALT (Serving and Learning Together) projects.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Study Abroad

See the world — whether it’s Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, England or another country. Career opportunities will open for you as you sharpen your foreign language skills. Gain the international experience and cross-cultural communication skills you’ll need in our global economy.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Our Faculty

  • Rebecca Clark headshot

    Rebecca Clark

    Associate Professor and Chair of the Dept of Social Work

    Rebecca Clark is the Chair of the Department of Social Work, Associate Professor of Social Work and the Director of the Social Work Program.

    Meet Rebecca Clark

Career Paths

Social Workers

Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.

Social and Human Service Assistants

Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.

Legislators

Working as an elected official, develop, introduce or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state or federal level.

Related Programs

Three students standing outside and talking to one another

Social Work, B.S.W.

Multiple sets of hands of different colors with palms facing upwards reach toward one another

Sociology