College of Education and Human Services
Social Welfare Minor
Minor offered in On-campus formats.
*On-campus format will require some online classes for degree completion.
Social Welfare Minor
The at 丝瓜APP University provides students with a strong foundation in social justice, human diversity, social policy, and human behavior. Designed to complement a wide range of majors, this minor helps students better understand how social systems impact individuals, families, and communities.
Offered in an on-campus format (with some online coursework required), the Social Welfare minor equips students with knowledge and perspective that is valuable in people-focused professions, public service, and graduate study.
Why Add a Social Welfare Minor?
The Social Welfare minor is ideal for students who want to deepen their understanding of social issues and human services without pursuing a full social work major. It pairs well with majors such as psychology, criminal justice, education, sociology, political science, healthcare, and business.
Students who add this minor gain insight into:
- Social inequality and systemic barriers
- Human behavior in social environments
- Public policy and social welfare systems
- Ethical and culturally responsive practice
This minor is especially valuable for students interested in advocacy, community work, public service, or graduate programs in social work or related fields.
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Through coursework in social work and social welfare, students develop an understanding of:
- Human diversity and social justice
- Social welfare policy and services
- Human behavior across the lifespan
- The role of social institutions and public policy
- How communities respond to social needs
Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, ethical awareness, and real-world application.
Curriculum Overview
The Social Welfare minor requires 21 credit hours of coursework.
Required Coursework (18 Credit Hours)
Students complete foundational courses in:
- Introduction to Social Work
- Human Diversity and Social Justice
- Social Welfare Policy and Services I
- Social Welfare Policy and Services II
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
These courses provide a comprehensive overview of social welfare systems and human behavior.
Elective Coursework (3 Credit Hours)
Students complete one additional upper-level social work elective not previously used toward another academic requirement.
How This Minor Supports Your Career
A Social Welfare minor strengthens preparation for careers and graduate programs that involve working with people, communities, or public systems. While it does not lead directly to licensure, it provides valuable context and foundational knowledge for roles in:
- Human services and nonprofit organizations
- Education and youth services
- Criminal justice and corrections
- Public administration and policy
- Healthcare and community outreach
The minor is also a strong complement for students considering future study in social work or related graduate programs.
Admissions & Next Steps
The Social Welfare minor is open to undergraduate students across majors. Academic advisors can help determine how the minor fits within a student鈥檚 degree plan and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
A social welfare minor focuses on social justice, public policy, and human behavior, helping students understand how social systems affect individuals and communities.
No. The social welfare minor provides foundational knowledge but does not include field practicum or prepare students for social work licensure. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is聽required聽for professional social work practice.聽
This minor is a good fit for students interested in advocacy, public service, education, criminal justice, healthcare, or nonprofit work.
Yes. The minor provides strong academic preparation for graduate programs in social work, public policy, education, and related fields.