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Wealth and Poverty Certificate

Certificate code CTWLTH

Faculty contacts: Dr. Yeong-Hyun Kim or Dr. Edna Wangui.

Use this form to add a major or certificate.

Program Overview

The Wealth and Poverty Certificate aims to address economic growth, wealth distribution, poverty, inequality, and empowerment issues in both domestic and international settings. Its coherent and interdisciplinary combination and sequence of courses will provide students with a better understanding of the ways class, race, ethnicity, and gender shape inequality of opportunities within and between countries.

Students are required to take a set of required courses (including introductory course, service learning course, and capstone seminar) and elective courses that are offered across the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and professional schools.

The knowledge, analytical skills and practical experiences gained in this interdisciplinary certificate program will help students become well-informed, active and critical global citizens. The awareness generated through the courses taken and research projects conducted would better prepare them for many of the critical challenges of the 21st century. Students who would like to explore wealth and poverty issues beyond what is covered in this certificate are encouraged to enroll in the Wealth and Poverty Theme.

Careers and Graduate School

The Wealth and Poverty Certificate helps students develop critical thinking, social responsibility, and global citizenship, which can be applied to a variety of careers in the academia, the public sector, and not-for-profit sector, including non-governmental organizations, volunteer services, and advocacy work on policy issues. Real world experiences gained from the service learning component of the curriculum will be an added asset in the job market.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Major/Minor/Certificate Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Certificate Requirements

Certificate Hours Requirement

The Wealth and Poverty Certificate Program requires a minimum of 18 hours.

Introduction Course

Complete one of the following:

  • AAS 1060 - Introduction to African American Studies Credit Hours: 3
  • GEOG 1310 - Globalization and the Developing World Credit Hours: 3
  • HIST 1330 - Introduction to World History Since 1750 Credit Hours: 3
  • POLS 2300 - Democracies and Dictatorships Around the World Credit Hours: 3
  • SOC 2300 - Social Inequalities and Social Change Credit Hours: 3
  • SW 1000 - Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare Credit Hours: 3

Service Learning Course

Complete one of the following:

  • CFS 4660 - Transitions in Development: Middle and Later Life Credit Hours: 3
  • ECON 3010C - Economics of Altruism Credit Hours: 3
  • ECON 3120 - Economics of Poverty Credit Hours: 3
    or ECON 3120C - Economics of Poverty Credit Hours: 3
  • SOC 3090C - Sociology of Appalachia Credit Hours: 3
  • SW 2601C - Social Welfare Overview and Trends Credit Hours: 3

Students may request a course substitution, when their participation in an internship, study abroad, or volunteer abroad involves a minimum of 10 hours of community outreach service activities.

Capstone Seminar

Complete the following:

  • T3 4400 - Seminar in Wealth and Poverty Credit Hours: 3.0

Electives

Complete three courses from at least two departments from the following list. At least two courses must be at the 3000/4000 level. Note - credit will not be awarded for both ECON 3120 and ECON 3120C.