Undergraduate Certificate in Sociology of Diversity

The Sociology Department has a strong emphasis in diversity and inequality issues, highlighting race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class. For sociology majors, minors, and other students wishing to concentrate in these areas, we offer a certificate of specialization. Completion of the certificate provides evidence of specialized study, which can be beneficial for enhancing future career options and interests. The certificate is marketable to a wide variety of employers and educational institutions, including social work, graduate and professional schools, community action organizations, and social services. Participation in the certification program also provides students with opportunities for networking and mentoring. Dr. Abby Ferber is the coordinator of the Certificate in the Sociology of Diversity.

General Requirements

Minimum requirement for completion: four courses, for a total of twelve credits.
A minimum grade of 3.3 is required for each course applied toward the certificate.
All courses must be at 3000 level or above in Sociology; independent studies may not be used to earn this certificate.

All courses must be offered through the Sociology department upon approval of the Certificate Coordinator. Up to three Sociology transfer credits may be applied to the certificate.

Course Requirements

Complete 4 of the following courses:
SOC 2110 - Sex and Society
SOC 2200 - Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Groups
SOC 2250 - Gender Images
SOC 3210 - American Minority Communities
SOC 3230 - The Chicano Community
SOC 3240 - African American Community
SOC 3250 - Power, Privilege and Social Difference
SOC 3270 - Native Communities
SOC 3290 - Perspectives on Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 3320 - African American Families
SOC 3610 - Gender and Society
SOC 4040 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
SOC 4080 - Men and Masculinities
SOC 4210 - Social Services and Welfare Reform
SOC 4230 - Foundations of Disability Studies
SOC 4240 - Sociology of Dis/Ability
SOC 4300 - Sociology of Sport
SOC 4310 - Class, Stratification and Power
SOC 4390 - Diversity Issues
SOC 4700 - Global Feminisms
Additional special topic courses may be offered that can be counted toward the certificate. These courses must be approved in advance by the Certificate Coordinator or the Sociology Department chair.

Certification Process

Students wishing to enroll in a certificate program must turn in an application to the Certificate Coordinator, ideally when they declare their major. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll by their junior year to ensure that certificate requirements are met. Students that are not sociology majors or minors must complete three (3) credit hours of additional lower division sociology credit before enrolling in the certificate program.

Students must submit their transcript to the coordinator to verify that they have met the requirements for the certificate at the beginning of their final semester. To complete the certificate program, students are required to submit a five-page, typewritten self-statement, evaluating changes in their perceptions of diversity issues as a result of program participation and the implication for future scholarly and professional work. The certificate will be mailed to recipients upon completion of a certificate audit and graduation.