The social work profession is dedicated to enhancing human well-being and to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. The minor in social work introduces students to practice with diverse populations and multi-level social systems.
The program is focused on practice with U.S. Mexico Border populations; addressing poverty, structural racism, and oppression; providing leadership in promoting human rights and social and economic justice; and service with vulnerable and underserved populations.
A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.
To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 21 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The US Mexico Border Social Work minor provides students with the knowledge, values, and skills required to those social and economic injustices issues along the US Mexico border. The US Mexico Border Social Work minor is guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry. This perspective is an excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations along the US Mexico border. The purpose of the US Mexico Border Social Work minor is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons living along the US Mexico border.
Our curriculum is designed for students to be exposed to the CSWE core competencies: professional identity, ethical practice, critical thinking, diversity in practice, human rights and justice, research based practice, human behavior, policy practice, practice contexts, and the planned change process. This curriculum is provided to the students through traditional classroom lecture and discussion, service-learning experiences, community change projects, and community engaged research. Students will leave this program with a sense of leadership and service in the provision of social welfare to people, families, and communities, globally, regionally, and locally. Our students also leave this program as globally engaged stewards of US Mexico border issues and committed to Hispanic populations, the Defense, Customs and Border Patrol and Military communities.
Student Learning Outcomes
Ethical Practice
Take the following 21 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
This minor is not available to students pursuing the Social Work degree. Please contact an advisor for more information.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.