Affiliated Programs

The Department of Sociology/Criminal Justice & Criminology works closely with several interdisciplinary programs that offer a minor, certificate, or major. Many of our faculty have joint appointments and / or close working relationships with professors & professionals in these areas. Below is more information & contact information for these affiliated programs.

Gerontology
An interdisciplinary gerontology minor is offered at the undergraduate level, and a gerontology certificate is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through the College of Arts and Sciences Continuing Education Division and the Center on Aging Studies. The minor is available to any undergraduate enrolled in a degree program. The gerontology certificate program can be completed either in conjunction with a degree program or as a free-standing credential. Students in such diverse fields as sociology, psychology, nursing, dental hygiene, public administration, law, pharmacy, and education have completed the certificate. As the number and proportion of older adults in the population increases, career opportunities in gerontology also increase. Eighteen (18) credit hours are required to complete the minor and the certificate.

For more information, contact Liz Kendall, Gerontology Certificate Coordinator, at 235-2186, or the Center on Aging Studies.

Family Studies
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a Family Studies Minor to educate students concerning the welfare of American families as well as aid human service professionals in empowering the families with whom they work. This interdisciplinary undergraduate academic program introduces participants to the sociological, psychological, and historical foundations of the family. The Family Studies Minor complements degree programs in such fields as sociology, psychology, nursing, criminal justice and criminology as well as the bachelor's degree in liberal arts (B.L.A.) program. Students completing this course of study have expanded career opportunities in related fields such as human services, health care, law, communications, program development, and academic research.

At least eighteen (18) credit hours or six (6) classes are required for the completion of this course of study, including nine (9) hours of core classes and nine (9) hours of electives. For more information, contact Dr. Deborah Smith.

Urban Affairs
The bachelor of arts in urban affairs is designed for students who desire the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary study in preparation for careers in urban public service. It is also an excellent foundation for advanced study in urban affairs, urban planning, public policy or public administration. The program is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on economics, sociology, psychology, political science, history, geography and architecture. Students entering the program will find a wide variety of urban-oriented courses available through these departments. Students must take eighteen (18) hours of core courses within the social science departments, eighteen (18) hours in a concentration area within urban affairs (urban planning, community social services, economic policy and operations, or environmental and resource development), and six (6) hours of internship in a public or nonprofit agency.

For more information, contact Dr. Philip Olson.

Black Studies
Students who choose the Black Studies minor will acquire a broad-based knowledge and understanding of the issues and research methodologies that have shaped scholarship in African American studies. They will have the chance to learn specifics about the history, literature, artistic expression and cultural contexts of Africans and African Americans here in the United States, as well as in other parts of the world. They should also have an enhanced perspective of their major discipline after completing the minor. The addition of a minor is especially useful for students outside of history or English who want to do substantial work in African American studies, but do not have that opportunity in their specific major. Students earning a minor in black studies take at least eighteen (18) hours of course work, a minimum of nine (9) hours at the 300/400 level, and a minimum of nine (9) hours must be earned at UMKC.

For more information, contact Dr. Donald Matthews, Director.

Women's & Gender Studies Program
For more information, contact Dr. Barbara Bonnekessen, Director of WGS, 106-I Manheim (phone: 816.235.5955).