Minors, Concentrations & Combined Programs

To earn a minor in criminal justice, students must complete: CRJ 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CRJ 2100 Criminological Theory, one core criminal justice course (CRJ 3223 Juvenile Delinquency, CRJ 3224 Corrections & Rehabilitative Programs, CRJ 3227 Police & Society, or CRJ 3229 Criminal Law & the Courts), and two criminal justice electives. See requirements for Criminal Justice Minor for more information.

To earn a minor in sociology, students must complete SOC 1000 plus a minimum of 16 additional credits in sociology, 12 of which must be at the 3000-4000 level. To earn a minor in anthropology, students must complete AN 1111 and 1511 plus a minimum of 12 credits in anthropology courses at the 3000-4000 level. See requirements for Sociology Minor or Anthropology Minor for more information.

The goal of child welfare is to ensure safe, permanent and nurturing families for children, using services that focus on supporting and stabilizing families. When it is not possible for families to remain together, placements for children through foster care or adoption are funded. Child welfare is a collaboration among professionals, community members, the family and its support systems to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the child, family, and community.

The minor in Child Welfare is beneficial for students interested in pediatrics, maternal and child health, adoption services, youth recreation, school counseling, public social service, and much more. Bachelor of Social Work graduates from Oakland University with a minor in Child Welfare may be given preferential consideration for a position with the Department of Human Services or a contracted private agency. See requirements for the Child Welfare Minor.

Child Welfare certificate

A Child Welfare Certificate is available to BSW graduates. Completion of the certificate may allow students to waive certain training requirements for child welfare staff at the Michigan Department of human Services including child protective services, foster care and adoption. The Certificate will also indicate qualifications for employment at private agencies that provide child welfare services such as foster care and adoption. Students are still required to complete a minor or the Interdisciplinary major. Credits toward meeting either of these, as well as the requirement of two social work electives, can be double counted toward earning the Child Welfare Certificate. For more details please refer to the Student Handbook.

The LGBTQ Studies Minor is housed in the Women and Gender Studies Program. Please consult Professor Ami Harbin for advising information.

To earn a modified major in sociology with a concentration in linguistics, students must complete a minimum of 20 credits in sociology, including SOC 100, 202, 203, 400, and a minimum of 20 credits in linguistics including LIN 201, 303, 304, and either 403 or 404, and LIN/SOC 376.

To earn a modified major in anthropology with a concentration in linguistics, students must complete AN 101 and 102, plus a minimum of 12 additional credits in anthropology and 20 credits in linguistics, including: LIN 201, 303, 304, and either 403 or 404, and either LIN/AN 374 or 375.

See requirements for Anthropology, B.A. for more information.

As a generation ages, issues arise that can make this population vulnerable both medically and socially. Gerontology is a calling for those determined to protect and enhance the quality of life of senior citizens.

The Gerontology Concentration takes a multidisciplinary approach designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge about the aging process, skills needed to work with older adults; and, an understanding of the psychological, social, economic and health/medical issues older adults face. Students will learn about the aging process, including:

• The impact of aging on the well-being of individuals and their families
• Theoretical concepts about human behavior
• Practical skills for preventive, rehabilitative and supportive services
• Health, medical care and health care policy
• Personal and societal attitudes that can affect older adults

Students will be prepared for direct service roles with seniors and their caregivers in nursing homes, geriatric health and menthal health centers, hospice, hospitals and long-term care facilites, multipurpose senior centers, senior citizen social services and retirement communities.

Required core courses
SW 3312 - Death and Dying
SOC 3210 - Sociological Perspectives on Aging
PSY 3230 - Adulthood and Aging (SOC 202 substituted for published course prerequisite for students with a declared concentration in gerontology)
SOC 3430 - Sociology of Health and Medicine

Three elective courses selected from the following:
AN 3130 - The Life Course in Anthropolical Perspective
AN 3220 - Medical Anthropology
CRJ 3360 - Crime and Life Course
SW/SOC/PSY/AN/CRJ special topic course in aging (must be reviewed and approved by a faculty adviser)
PHL 3500 - Bioethics
PSY 3340 - Public policy and Health Care
PSY 2250 - Introduction to Life-Span Developmental Psychology
PSY 4979 - Seminar: Resilient Aging
SW 2301 - Introduction to Social Work
SW 3201 - Human Behavior and Social Environment
SW 3302 - Social Welfare Policies.

A concentration in addiction studies is for those up to the challenge of taking onone of society's biggest challenges. This concentration is for change agents who are ready to overcome challenges and empower others to do the same.

The Addiction Studies Concentration is a series of seven classes, three of which meet the instructional requirements for Michigan Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) licensure in Michigan.

A concentration in addiction studies prepares students to work as:

• Substance abuse counselors
• Residential care counselors
• Specialists in drug or sobriety courts
• Probation, parole or corrections officers who help clients with addiction or substance abuse issues

Sociology, social work, criminal justice, and psychology majors can take the courses, and in combination with their required course work for their major will fulfill the 270 contact hours of education on addiction required by the Michigan Certified Board for Addiction Professionals. Of the total required hours, 180 will come directly from the curriculum approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals. The remaining 90 hours will come from existing curriculum in social work, sociology, criminal justice, and psychology.

Required Core Courses
PHL 1300 - Introduction to Ethics
PSY 1000 - Foundations of Contemporary Psychology
SOC 3230 - Alcohol, Drugs and Society
SW 3112 - Substance Abuse Theory and Practice I
SW 3212 - Substance Abuse Theory and Practice II

Two electives selected from the following:
SW 4103 - Social Work Practice I (for social work majors only)
SOC 2220 - Sociology of Mental Illness
AN 3220 - Medical Anthropology
CRJ 1100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOC 3840 - Corrections and Rehabilitative Institutions
PSY 3450 - Health Psychology
PHL 3500 - Bioethics
SW 2301 - Introduction to Social Work.

Archaeology, which is the study of past human activities, is of interest to a wide variety of people. This study, which is housed in the anthropology program, also works together with Art History, History, and the Physical Sciences. Students at Oakland University who choose the Archaeology Concentration are trained in an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. The concentration prepares students for further graduate studies or involvement in their local community museums and historic preservation activities. We work in both the historic and prehistoric periods. In addition to a wide range of courses, we provide field, lab and internship opportunities. A student Anthropology Club provides students a chance to meet others with similar interests.