Wayne State University (WSU) undergraduate students will have the opportunity to advocate for social justice with a new minor in social work and social justice launching Fall 2020.

"This minor is a natural extension of our social work values, which focus on the identification and improvement of social, economic and environmental justice issues affecting our community," stated Dean Sheryl Kubiak. "Social Work is grounded in applying practical solutions to hurdles we all face. This solution-based, strengths perspective builds communities that are socially just, diverse and inclusive."

The minor includes a mix of 6 courses from Social Work and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) on subjects ranging from diversity and oppression to the history of social welfare and social justice. All WSU undergraduate students will also have the opportunity to select from Social Work and CLAS electives in subjects such as criminal justice, gender/sexuality and women's studies, peace and conflict studies, and suicide. The variety of courses will complement the studies of students in other WSU departments pursuing careers in a helping field such as criminal justice, education, immigration, human resources, advocacy and government.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects careers for social workers and other community and social service specialists to grow by 12% by 2028, much faster than the average for all other occupations. The new minor will provide graduates with social work principles to address question of social injustice on individual, group and community levels in areas such as aging, child welfare, criminal justice, environmental justice, housing, policy, community practice, and mental health. Graduates will learn to identify issues of fairness and equality, demonstrate enhanced sensitivity to vulnerable and at-risk populations, incorporate social justice principles to strategies for equitable and inclusive environments, and learn to create social justice projects that engage community members.

Students want to change the world and graduate with degrees and specializations that will give them an advantage in the competitive job market and this minor does just that. - Dean Sheryl Kubiak