The Social Justice and Social Welfare (SJSW) Minor provides students with a broad overview of social justice perspectives on issues relevant to the social welfare system, its relationship to the market economy, and the historical, political, and cultural factors that shape it. Through coursework, students learn the analytic and practical skills needed to develop, evaluate, and transform social welfare and justice policies. Students gain competency in the core issues of human needs and social development, relevant to many careers.
The minor also enhances students’ preparation for graduate study in social work, law, education, health care, public policy analysis, nonprofit management, social service administration, student affairs, conflict resolution, and others.
Students in a variety of majors are learning skills toward such a successful career (e.g., business, education, healthcare) but are in need of knowledge of the systems that impact their careers as well as the well-being of those they are training to serve.
Students often want to pursue careers toward improving the quality of life of others. Understanding of the social welfare system and social justice issues is essential as a foundation for such careers.