The Sociology Department has a strong emphasis in multiple social dimensions of health and health care, highlighting the impact of ones position in the social structure on risk of exposure to various disease vectors and risks of disaster impacts, access to health care and the likelihood of treatment, and health outcomes. Stereotypes, stigma, and social construction of body image and “worthiness” of people and diseases for medial, financial, and political intervention play a central role in this process. Mitigating and aggravating factors such as race, sex, disability, culture, values, religion, wealth, age, and other social dimensions will be considered in relation to risk and vulnerability to disease, injury, and disasters.
For sociology majors, minors, and other students wishing to concentrate in these areas, we offer an undergraduate certificate of specialization. The certificate is commendable to a wide variety of employers and educational institutions, including disaster response centers, organizations, and non-governmental organizations, aging services, social work, graduate and professional schools, mental health organizations, and social services. Participation in the certification program also provides students with opportunities for networking and mentoring.
Dr. Michèle Companion (mcompani@uccs.edu) is the coordinator of the Undergraduate Certificate in Social Dimensions of Health and Health Care.
General Requirements
- All students must earn a minimum grade of B+ (3.3) in each course applied to the certificate.
- Students who are not Sociology majors or minors must complete 3 additional credit hours of lower division Sociology credit before enrolling in the certificate program. All courses must be offered through the Sociology program. Independent studies may not be used to earn this certificate.
- This certificate requires at least four courses/12 credit hours.
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