Studying sociology is the key to unlocking careers in a diversity of fields, including health and medicine, family and social welfare, community and social justice, business and marketing, and education, among others. Our certificate programs in Criminology, Community Health & Medicine, Families & Social Welfare, and Justice, Allyship, Diversity, and Equity (JADE) leverage the methodological and analytical rigor that are the hallmark of our major and minor programs with specialization in fields of your choosing. Whether you’re taking classes in-person or online, you’ll acquire impactful skills to help you tackle pressing social problems and strengthen your position in the workforce.
While housed in Sociology, these fields are in fact multidisciplinary and draw from diverse liberal arts fields. Thus, CU Denver Undergraduate students in any discipline can enroll in these certificate programs. The certificates are also available to non-degree-seeking students who already have earned a BA or BS degree, either at CU Denver or elsewhere.
Students are encouraged to contact Dr. Maren Scull, departmental undergraduate advisor, to apply
Each of these certificate programs are offered both on-campus and online. Certificates will be awarded at the end of the semester in which the student satisfies all requirements
Criminology is the field of study dedicated to understanding the social construction of laws, and the prevention, control and treatment of crime. The Department of Sociology's Criminology Certificate offers an essential foundation for students pursuing careers in criminal justice, victim and community services, criminal law, and non-profit organizations in local and international settings. The certificate also prepares students for law school and graduate programs in sociology and criminology.
Families are a fundamental element of personal and social life. The Families and Social Welfare certificate provides students a foundation for understanding the complex role of families and family members at multiple levels, as well as the social systems and organizations responsible for supporting families and individuals. The content and methods courses will prepare students for direct service positions working with individuals and families (e.g., human and social services), or research, policy or advocacy positions addressing family issues (e.g., housing, violence and abuse, parenting, social welfare). Students earning the certificate also will be well-positioned to pursue advanced degrees in social work, public health, counseling, law, sociology, or related disciplines.
Medical sociology is a subfield devoted to the study of population health, health care systems and policy, and the social dimensions of illness and healing. The Sociology Department's Community Health and Medicine Certificate provides training in the core research methodologies and theories of medical sociology, examining individual experience, institutional structures, laws and policies that affect health, and broader systems of inequality that lead to unequal rates of illness and access to care. This certificate provides depth of training in these areas and is ideal for students interested in graduate-level study and social research on health and medicine as well as those interested in careers in public health, health care services, and non-profit organizations.
Diversity and equity represent foundational values of a just society. The Justice, Allyship, Diversity, and Equity (JADE) undergraduate certificate empowers students to understand and critically engage with social inequalities due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, socioeconomic status, immigration status, religion, and age among other characteristics; to use data to analyze and understand social inequalities; and practical strategies and analytical skills for promoting social justice and human equity. The certificate will prepare students to act as inclusive leaders in diverse organizations within the business, human resources, legal, nonprofit, educational, and public administration sectors.
