Program: Social Justice Minor - University at Buffalo

Jun 19, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Visit the Sociology and Crimonology academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Sociology and Crimonology department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Social Justice minor should complete the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements

Social Justice Core (6 credits)

SOC 206LEC - Social Problems Credits: 3
SOC 496TUT - Internship Program Credits: 1-6 (3 credits minimum)

Four SOC Electives (12 credits)

From the list of approved minor elective courses, at least 3 courses must be taken at the 300/400 level:

SOC 101LEC - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
SOC 202LEC - Introduction to Social Welfare Credits: 3
SOC 204SEM - Social Justice Credits: 3
SOC 211LEC - Sociology of Diversity Credits: 3
SOC 239LEC - Sociology of Happiness Credits: 3
SOC 309LEC - Social Change Credits: 3
SOC 314LEC - Sociology of Gender Credits: 3
SOC 319LEC - Juvenile Justice Credits: 3
SOC 324LEC - Sociology of Immigration Credits: 3
SOC 328LEC - Social Inequality Credits: 3
SOC 331LEC - Wealth and Poverty Credits: 3
SOC 337LEC - Sociology of Punishment Credits: 3
SOC 341LEC - Environment & Society Credits: 3
SOC 346LEC - Beyond The Walls: Reentry After Incarceration Credits: 3
SOC 360LEC - Political Sociology Credits: 3
SOC 362LEC - Families & Inequality Credits: 3
SOC 363LEC - Families and Public Policy Credits: 3
SOC 378LEC - Social Inequalities & Health Credits: 3
SOC 384LEC - Social Movements Credits: 3
SOC 385LEC - Neighborhoods and Health Credits: 3
SOC 387LEC - Sociology of Race & Racism Credits: 3
SOC 467LEC - Sociology and Social Policy Credits: 3

One of the Four Electives for the Social Justice Minor May Come from this List:

EVS 442SEM - Environmental Movements Credits: 3
SOC 395SEM - Urban Schools and Communities Credits: 3
SSC 428SEM - Health Law Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for Minor: 18

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall.

Minimum grade of C required in SOC 206 , SOC 496 , or approved substitutes.

Sociology Department course overlap policy: For Sociology/Criminology double majors, no shared classes are allowed other than the 3 shared required classes (101, 293, 294). For Sociology and/or Criminology majors also minoring in a departmental minor, and/or for double minors, a minimum of 4 of the classes required for the minor must be unique, i.e., not shared across other departmental majors or minors.

Transfer Credit Policy

The department accepts up to 9 credit hours of appropriate sociology/criminology courses toward the minor requirements. Course descriptions and syllabi may need to be provided.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Social Justice, students should be able to:

Think critically and sociologically about social injustices and inequities.
Understand the intersection of socially and culturally constructed identities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, age, and religion.
Understand the categories of discrimination and their effects, including but not limited to racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism.
Understand the role of social science in the development of an informed approach to social justice.
Know how to acquire and evaluate data associated with social justice issues, and acquire the skills needed to assess the validity and reliability of such data.
Gain significant practical experience doing social justice service and/or advocacy work.