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Degrees and Certificates
Social Work Minor
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Learn to Advocate for Others
Social Work Minor
Social Work is an ideal minor for those in just about any major discipline who are interested in helping people, are passionate about social justice, and/or thinking about working in the nonprofit sector. This minor, which focuses on social services with vulnerable populations, could broaden your worldview and expand your career options in law, healthcare, medicine, business, science, communication, and other fields.
The professors in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work are experts in their field and regularly publish research reflecting the expertise in their fields, including environmental justice, reproductive rights, intimate partner violence, rural mobility, foster parents, and obesity perception.From a career standpoint, there is more demand for social work occupations than ever before, and job growth is considered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as “faster than average.” That being said, completion of the Social Work minor is not meant to substitute for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree here at AUM.
Sociology Minor
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this minor requires. Select elective courses may also be included. Students may have to take additional courses to fulfill the prerequisites of the required courses.
The minor requires the completion of SOWK 1000 before starting the minor degree. The following courses are required for the minor:
| Course # | Course Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 1000 | Introduction to Social Work | Examines key concepts, ethics, and theories, of social work practice. Further examines areas of specialization within social work. |
| SOWK 2000 | Professional Development for Social | Students learn professional behavior, self-care, basic knowledge and skills relevant to professional social work practice. Course examines personal values, as well as societal values and analyzes their interaction and interrelationship with the social work professional values. |
| SOWK 2220 | History of Social Welfare | Philosophical and historical perspectives of social welfare services and social work practice. Analytical understanding of social welfare programs, policies, and issues. |
| SOWK 3000 | Social Justice and Diversity | Students learn multicultural social work practice and the importance of cultural competence. Student assess their level of self-awareness and ability to engage in critical thinking on issues of diversity and social justice, as well as advocate on behalf of others, particularly vulnerable populations. |
| Choose two: | ||
| SOWK 4410 | Social Work with Military Families | Understand the culture, structure, and context of the military. Provide an overview of practice with military members, veterans, their families, and their communities. |
| SOWK 4420 | Social Work and Mental Health | Students will gain an overview of the role of social work in mental health including prevention, intervention, advocacy, and policy. |
| SOWK 4430 | Gerontological Social Work | Provide an overview of practice with older adults through a bio-psycho-social approach including assessment, interventions, and policies/program related to aging. |
| SOWK 4450 | Child Welfare and Maltreatment | This elective is designed to familiarize students with the field of child welfare, its history, current policy and practice issues, the diversity of families structures and contexts, with a focus on the various forms of child maltreatment and best practices for response. |
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Susan Cashwell
Associate Professor; Social Work Program Director
Susan Cashwell
Associate Professor; Social Work Program Director | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
