Humanities and Social Science Minors

Q: Why are cultural studies minor degrees important?

Cultural studies degree and minor programs offer insight and deeper understanding of the various histories, experiences, voices and influences within our communities. Greater cultural awareness can benefit all members of society, especially those who work with diverse populations.

Q: Is a professional writing minor worth it?

If you have a love for language and your career goals include communicating with diverse audiences through various media channels, you should consider earning a professional writing minor. Professional writing skills can benefit most professionals, especially those who need to convey clear, accurate, persuasive messages to various audiences.

Q: Can you become a therapist with a psychology minor?

While a psychology minor can help enhance many different undergraduate degree programs, becoming a therapist requires, at minimum, a master’s degree in psychology or counseling and state licensure in order to practice.

Q: What is a good minor for a communications major?

As a BA in Communications major, selecting a minor will depend primarily on your career and/or personal interests. Some complementary programs you may want to consider are psychology minors, professional writing minors, minors in business and marketing, cultural studies minors and foreign language minors.

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Minors

Grand Canyon University can help you build your tangible skills within your discipline and refine your ability to research, read, write and think your way through complex issues. Our minor programs embrace GCU’s Christian heritage, promoting the spirit of servant leadership and creating broad communities within which you may serve.

GCU’s social science and humanities minors blend the study of traditional humanities into a modern context, challenging you to become a deep and critical thinker from topics covering language and communications, government and public administration and psychology and counseling.

Counseling and Psychology Minors

These social science minor programs at GCU complement a variety of undergraduate degrees with focuses in mental health, behavioral health, sociology, forensics, communications and theology.

Minor in Behavioral Health Sciences

The minor in behavioral health focuses on a core of useful and requisite knowledge to work within the behavioral health field. The courses for this minor introduce students to the behavioral health field by teaching them concepts related to ethics, cultural diversity and basic clinical skills to apply as behavioral health paraprofessionals. It can help fulfill the need for entry-level professionals to work as part of an interdisciplinary team in behavioral health. This minor can help prepare students who are seeking employment as behavioral health paraprofessionals. This minor does not lead to licensure or certification.

The minor in behavioral health sciences at GCU is 20 credits and includes the following courses:

Introduction to Counseling Theories (PCN-107)
Group Dynamics and Process (BHS-240)
Ethics of Behavioral Health Science (BHS-320)
Culture and Social Diversity in Behavioral Health (BHS-330)
Report Writing, Research and Information Literacy in Behavioral Health (BHS-350)

Minor in Counseling

The minor in counseling is designed to help develop students' understanding of counseling theories and how they relate to working in the human relations field of behavioral health. This minor can provide the opportunity to develop applicable skills in interpreting diagnoses, writing reports and working on integrative health teams. It can help prepare students for positions in behavioral health settings, such as community and private organizations with a focus on addictions and substance use disorders. The minor in counseling can also coordinate well with the theoretical backgrounds of psychology, sociology, communications and ministry. The interplay of theory and practical skills allows students to market their skills to a wider audience of employers. This minor does not lead to licensure.

The minor in counseling at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Foundations of Addiction and Substance Use Disorders (PCN-100)
Introduction to Counseling Theories (PCN-107)
Case Management and Crisis Skills for Addiction and Substance (PCN-255)
Prof, Legal & Ethical Issues - Addiction & Substance Use Disorder (PCN-404)

Minor in Forensic Psychology

The minor in forensic psychology focuses on the psychological experiences of victims and sheds insight into abnormal human behavior. Students are introduced to an understanding of the criminal justice system and exposed to crime scene processing. The minor program can help prepare students to work with people who need assistance coping with the aftereffects of a violent crime. Often, police officers are the first point of contact for these individuals. The program is designed for individuals seeking a career as a correctional professional, social worker, homeland security professional, community mental health professional or private-sector worker.

The forensic psychology minor at GCU is 20 credits and includes the following courses:

Criminal Behavior and Victimology (JUS-212)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY-470)
Understanding Trauma (BHS-440)
Introduction to Forensic Psychology (PSY-310)
Criminal Law (JUS-430)

Minor in Performance and Sport Psychology

The minor in performance and sport psychology can provide individuals interested in sports, performing arts, health and fitness or mental health fields the opportunity to develop their skills and abilities to help improve the performance and lives of those with whom they work. The field of sports and performance psychology is concerned with the psychological factors that influence human performance. It involves assessment and intervention strategies that can enhance performance and personal growth.

The performance and sport psychology minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (PSY-366)
Social Aspects of Sport/Psychosocial Aspects of Sport (PSY-368)
Psychology of Coaching (PSY-410)
Leadership and Team Building (PSY-425)

Minor in Psychology

The psychology minor introduces students to the study of human behavior of all ages (children through aging adults). The program examines how personality and cognitive thinking are formed, developed and influenced through each person’s social and cultural environment. Since behavior and emotional development are often affected by both cognitive thinking and the environment, students will be taught the roles of science and research in understanding and enhancing mental health.

The psychology minor at GCU is 20 credits and includes the following courses:

General Psychology (PSY-102)
Personality Psychology (PSY-255)
Health Psychology (PSY-352)
Social Psychology and Cultural Applications (PSY-362)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY-470)

Criminal Justice and Government Minors

GCU’s minor degree programs in government and criminal justice offer students the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge in the areas of public administration, law and justice studies.

Minor in Criminal Justice

The minor in criminal justice exposes students to knowledge and skills across a broad range of applications in criminal justice. Students are taught detailed knowledge of criminality and the justice system’s response to criminal behavior. This minor can benefit those seeking careers in local, state and federal law enforcement, such as police, sheriff, probation and correctional officers.

The minor in criminal justice at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Criminal Behavior and Victimology (JUS-212)
Police Function (JUS-320)
Criminal Law (JUS-430)
Criminal Procedure and Public Policy (JUS-441)

Minor in Pre-Law

The pre-law minor exposes students to major concepts of the law, which include the philosophical underpinnings of the Western legal tradition, civil law, criminal law and the practice of law. This foundation of legal thought can help prepare students for law school or a legal career path for those who desire to get a head start in their understanding of the framework of law.

The minor in pre-law at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Philosophy of Law (GOV-357)
Civil Law (GOV-360)
Criminal Law (JUS-430)
Practice of Law (GOV-455)

Minor in Public Administration

The minor in public administration can help enhance students' understanding of how various factions of government and the private sector interact. This minor can help students prepare for career opportunities in the nonprofit and government sectors, such as city manager, legislative policy administrator, legislative liaison or government relations.

The minor in public administration at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

American Government and Politics (GOV-140)
Public Administration (GOV-351)
State and Local Government (GOV-366)
Municipal Government and Administration (GOV-376)

Educational Studies Minors

Developed for future educators, these humanities and social science minors offer students foundational knowledge and skills in teaching math and history at the elementary and secondary education levels.

Minor in History

The minor in history examines historical sources, such as written documents, artifacts, oral accounts, and visual materials to understand events, societies, cultures and individuals from earlier periods.

The minor in history at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Ancient Mediterranean History (HIS-325)
Survey of Asian Empires (HIS-350)
Renaissance and Reformation (HIS-380)
20th^{(See disclaimer )}Century Europe (HIS-426)

Minor in Mathematics

The minor in mathematics teaches skills in mathematical modeling, including many applications in computer science, engineering and business. It can help support students for careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), quantitative visualization and analytics.

The minor in mathematics at GCU is 20 credits and includes the following courses:

Calculus and Analytic Geometry (MAT-252)
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (MAT-253)
Discrete Mathematics (MAT-215)
Applied Linear Algebra (MAT-345)
Mathematical Modeling (MAT-470)

Designed for those who want to specialize in family and child services, these social science minors focus on topics related to childhood development, social well-being, family structures and case management.

Minor in Child and Family Social Services

The minor in child and family social services offers students the opportunity to gain broader knowledge in the areas of social welfare, child and adolescent development, family dynamics and counseling. This minor is designed for those interested in working in social services and could pair well with undergraduate studies in psychology, counseling, education, nursing and behavioral health sciences. This minor does not require a practicum.

The child and family social services minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Introduction to Social Welfare (SWK-170)
Introduction to Counseling Theories (PCN-107)
Child and Adolescent Psychology (PSY-355)
Introduction to Family Dynamics (BHS-430)

Minor in Human Services Case Management

The minor in human services case management teaches knowledge in understanding trauma-informed care, the case management process, coordination of care and working on integrative human services teams and other helping professions. This minor coordinates well with theoretical backgrounds in psychology, sociology, counseling and ministry.

The minor in human services case management at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Introduction to Social Work (SOC-372)
Report Writing, Research and Information Literacy in Behavioral Health (BHS-350)
Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care (BHS-470)
Case Management (pre-req: SOC-372) (SOC-445)

Language and Cultural Studies Minors

These humanities minors are designed for those who want to enhance their education through foreign language or cultural studies degree programs.

Minor in African American Experiences

The minor in African American experiences provides students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the African American influence within the U.S. and global communities, including its rich history, diverse voices and important events. Graduates will be taught how cultural differences unify around the core Christian doctrines and common practices of faith.

The minor in African American experiences at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Multicultural Literature (ENG-355)
Community History (HIS-327)
Stratification and Inequality in a Diverse Society (SOC-436)
Kingdom Diversity (HTH-380)

Minor in Hispanic Experiences

The minor in Hispanic experiences can provide students with a deeper understanding of the Latinx influence within the U.S. and global communities. Students will be taught about Hispanic traditions, diverse voices and important events in their history. The core Christian doctrines and common practices of faith are also examined to offer an understanding of unity among cultural differences.

The minor in Hispanic experiences at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Multicultural Literature (ENG-355)
Southwest Borderlands (HIS-466)
Stratification and Inequality in a Diverse Society (SOC-436)
Kingdom Diversity (HTH-380)

Minor in Spanish

The minor in Spanish offers students the opportunity to develop at least intermediate-level fluency in listening, speaking, reading and writing Spanish, and teaches a general introduction to Spanish culture and literature to enhance cross-cultural sensibilities and expand opportunities in the bilingual job market.

The minor in Spanish at GCU is 24 credits and includes the following courses:

Intermediate Spanish I (SPA-214)
Intermediate Spanish II (SPA-224)
Spanish Conversation (SPA-309)
Spanish Composition and Grammar (SPA-310)
Contemporary Issues (SPA-320)
Introduction to Literature in Spanish (SPA-341)

Literature, Writing and Communications Minors

If your career goals could benefit from specialized knowledge in communications, writing or literature, these GCU humanities minors are worth your consideration.

Minor in Communication

The communication minor is designed to develop a student’s foundational knowledge for speaking, writing and thinking critically. This minor can help prepare students for positions in business, government, education, science and healthcare. Communication is essential for the development of the whole person — socially, culturally and professionally.

The communication minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Fundamentals of Communication (COM-100)
Small Group Communication (COM-222)
Conflict and Negotiation (COM-312)
Relational Communication (COM-451)

Minor in Literature

The minor in literature can help broaden students’ exposure to, and deepen their understanding and appreciation of, essential works of fiction, poetry and drama. The works selected represent every important period and genre in the history of British and American literature, from Anglo-Saxon poetry to Existentialist drama. The authors studied in this program include the mainstays of the literary canon, such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Pope, Wordsworth, Hawthorne, Whitman, Dickinson, James and Eliot, as well as writers whose works exemplify the challenges faced by women, Native Americans, African Americans and other underrepresented groups.

The minor in literature at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Foundational Texts of British Literature (ENG-357)
Transatlantic Literature (ENG-359)
American Encounter Narratives (ENG-360)
Shakespeare and the History of Drama (ENG-451)

Minor in Professional Writing

The professional writing minor focuses on teaching students the skills in writing and editing that can be applied to a broad range of professional contexts and careers. The courses for this minor can provide students with important practice and writing in a variety of professional genres, which can help prepare them to adapt their practice to other contexts. Skills taught include writing for public relations, writing and presentation for news stories in various forms of media, writing technical documents and communicating scientific ideas to a variety of people.

The professional writing minor at GCU is 16 credits and includes the following courses:

Reporting and Newswriting (PRW-301)
Multi-Media Journalism in the 21st Century (ENG-365)
Communicating Scientific Ideas to Popular Audiences (ENG-456)
Multimedia Feature Writing (PRW-470)

FAQ

Read through these commonly asked questions to learn more about earning a humanities or social science minor at GCU.

Why are cultural studies minor degrees important?

Is a professional writing minor worth it?

Can you become a therapist with a psychology minor?

What is a good minor for a communications major?

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Humanities and Social Sciences Minor Degrees

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Minors Offered in Humanities and Social Sciences Disciplines

Counseling and Psychology Minors

Criminal Justice and Government Minors

Educational Studies Minors

Family and Social Services Minors

Language and Cultural Studies Minors

Literature, Writing and Communications Minors

FAQs for Social Science and Humanities Minors