Department of Social Work Minors & Certificates
Youth Services Minor
The Youth Services minor prepares students to make a positive impact in the lives of children, adolescents, and families. Through coursework focused on child welfare, juvenile justice, youth development, family support, and social policy, students gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to serve diverse populations. The program includes hands-on field experience and complements majors such as Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, Sociology, and related disciplines, preparing graduates for careers in public and nonprofit youth-serving organizations.
Explore Youth Services Minor Requirements and Courses
Behavioral Health – Substance Use and Dependency Minor
The Behavioral Health–Substance Use and Dependency minor prepares students to support individuals and families affected by substance use disorders through prevention, assessment, treatment, and recovery services. Students develop knowledge of evidence-based practices, ethical care, community education, and rehabilitation while gaining practical experience through a required practicum. Offered entirely online with both synchronous and asynchronous coursework, this minor complements majors such as Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Health Sciences, Nursing, and related fields, preparing graduates for careers in behavioral health and substance use treatment settings.
Explore Substance Use and Dependency Minor Requirements and Courses
Child Welfare Certificate
The Child Welfare Certificate provides specialized preparation for careers dedicated to protecting and supporting children and families. Through focused coursework in child abuse and neglect, child welfare policy, foster care, and adoption, combined with supervised field experience, students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in child protective services, foster care, adoption, and family services. Graduates who complete the certificate with an approved field placement may qualify to waive most of the required child welfare training for positions with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and contracted child welfare agencies.