Minors at Alvernia

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Minor

Minors at Alvernia

Alvernia University offers a wide range of minors, which are optional programs of study that complement or supplement students' majors. They typically require 18-21 credits. Learn more about our offerings below.

A

Addictions & Mental Health Treatment


Addictions & Mental Health Treatment is one of the most versatile degrees found at the college or university level. It was established to provide a core of expertise for those individuals seeking administrative, counseling and case management positions in the fields of addiction and mental health treatment. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major and as an online major.
 

Required Courses: 21 credits

Art


Alvernia offers a minor in art that provides students with the foundation needed to perceive and uniquely express their knowledge about the world. The study of art prepares students for independent critical thinking and provides inspiration for personal creativity. Basic skills acquired relate to all areas of curriculum and professional endeavors, and a minor in art may be well suited to students majoring in communication, education, general studies, history, marketing, occupational therapy, or psychology. Courses in digital art have been added to the program.


The following categories are required for the art minor. Students must have one from each foundational skill set, plus 6 credits of art electives. Prerequisites may be required for 200 level course or higher.
 

Art Minor Requirements: 21 credits

The following categories are required for the Art Minor. Students must have one from each foundational skill set (Drawing, Color Theory, 3D Design, Digital Design, Art History), plus 6 credits of art electives. Prerequisites may be required for 200 level course or higher.

Drawing:

Color Theory:

3-Dimensional Design:

Digital Design:

ART History:

B

Biology

The biology program aims to develop, in students, an appreciation for and knowledge of the fundamental principles of biology necessary to prepare them for professional schools, such as medical, dental, and pharmaceutical science; medical laboratory science; graduate study and research; and those techniques used in teaching biological science at the secondary school level. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.


A minor in biology consists of eight credits at the 100 level (either BIO 103, BIO 104 or BIO 107/BIO 117L and BIO 108/BIO 118L); at least three credits at the 200 level; and at least six credits at the 300/400 level.
 

Business


The Business Department at Alvernia embraces the Catholic, Franciscan tradition. Therefore, Alvernia's business programs examine the contemporary business world from both practical and ethical standpoints. Alvernia's Business Department is committed to providing quality opportunities for students to obtain the necessary knowledge, skills, and advisement to become productive members of the business community. Students who major in another discipline may minor in business by earning 21 credits. Learn more about Alvernia's Header School of Business.
 

Business Minor: 21 credits

C

Chemistry


Programs of specialization in chemistry provide opportunities and guided experiences through which students may be introduced to the basic knowledge and skills essential to pursue careers in industrial and governmental research, medical technology, teaching in secondary schools, professional careers, and attending graduate school in the various areas of chemistry. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.
 

Required Courses

A minor in chemistry shall consist of 20-21 credits earned by completing:

And 2 Courses in Either:

Communication


The Alvernia University communication program includes a broad spectrum of courses encompassing podcasting, video production, professional speech, cinema studies, plus technical and creative writing for content creation and media applications. Students majoring in other fields may wish to consider a communication minor attained by completing 18 credits in communication. This program is also offered as a major.
 

18 credits

Students majoring in other fields may wish to consider a communication minor attained by completing 18 credits in communication. COM 100, COM 101, and COM 108 cannot be applied toward the minor.
 

Community & Environmental Sustainability


The minor in community and environmental sustainability is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with experiences to enrich their education with knowledge and skills to address society's most pressing issues.
 

Minor: 17 credits

Electives 9 credits from the following 3 areas:

Science-Environmental:

Socio-Cultural:

Business-Economics:

Community Engagement

The minor in Community Engagement is an interdisciplinary academic program designed to increase students’ understanding of their ability to create positive change in their community and to address serious community issues through the development and implementation of short- and long-term impactful civic projects. Students learn theoretical and moral considerations that underpin community engagement and voluntary service.
 

Minor: 18 credits

Required:

6 credits selected from:

Computer Science


The Computer Science program offers a major for students who are interested in cyber security, data science, and software engineering. Programs of specialization in computer science provides opportunities and guided experiences through which the student will be introduced to the knowledge and skills essential to pursue careers in industrial, governmental, and professional fields, and attend graduate school in various areas of computer science. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.

21 credits

Required Courses:

Criminal Justice Administration


The Criminal Justice Department is dedicated to providing the theoretical, practical and professional knowledge needed in today’s environment to be successful in the fields of law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, private security and related careers. Emphasis is placed on preparing the student to enter the professional workplace or continue studies in graduate school. The curriculum is designed to provide students with expert instruction on the most current trends, policies and practices in the discipline. This major provides the variety offered in course selection to encourage each individual to build a personal program for the future with the assistance of an advisor. The program is also offered as an undergraduate major and as an online major.
 

18 credits

Required courses:

Cybersecurity


The Computer Science program offers a minor for students who are interested in cybersecurity, the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.
 

21 credits

Required Courses:

D

Data Science


The Computer Science program offers a minor for students who are interested in data science, the study of data to extract meaningful insights for business.
 

21 credits

Required Courses:

Digital Media Marketing


The digital media marketing minor is a flexible interdisciplinary minor that features course selections from Communication, Art, and Business. Digital media marketing encompasses technology, information, culture, and the multiple ways in which they interact. All students should understand social media and work to master digital skills, which makes this minor desirable for nearly any student. The program is also offered as an undergraduate major and an online major.
 

21 credits

Required:

E

Economics


With a minor in economics, students will be in demand in both the private and public sectors. A course of study in economics will provide students with an understanding of economics and train students to engage in critical thinking by studying behaviors of firms, workers, resource distribution, and the performance of exchange systems. Knowledge of economics is important to creating an informed public, and a minor in economics will equip students to engage society in an informed manner. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.


18 credits

Environmental Science


Maintaining a habitable planet Earth is essential for our survival. Alvernia’s Environmental Science program provides students with an interdisciplinary foundation in the natural sciences to understand current environmental challenges and their potential solutions. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.
 

Required Courses

One course from:

F

Forensic Science


Defined as science that is used for purposes of the law, forensic science is an exciting and fascinating field for students who have a strong interest in chemistry and biology. Forensic scientists work closely with investigators, attorneys and others to discover, analyze and deliver evidence during criminal investigations. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.

Required Courses

Consists of 19-20 credits earned by completing:

One Course from

G

General Science


Alvernia’s General Science minor offers students insight into the intellectual and philosophical natures of science, and helps them develop the ability to select, adopt, evaluate and employ strategies and materials. Students will acquire a broad background in the sciences, enabling them to develop skills that relate to a variety of topics, ideas and experiences. The curriculum includes biology, chemistry and physics, teaching how science intersects with society. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.
 

18-20 credits

Complete two courses from Biology

Complete two courses from Chemistry

And one course from Physics

Gerontology


A gerontology minor is offered to help students meet the rapidly expanding job market in the field of geriatrics. A minor in gerontology offers one-to-one involvement with older adults, class experience in a variety of geriatric settings, and the theory necessary to work effectively with this population.
 

18 credits

Required:

Note:

Please be aware minors must have 12 credits not from the major, core, concentration, track, emphasis.

H

Health Communication


The Health Communication minor includes a curriculum of theory, research, and application, focusing on health issues in the interpersonal, organizational, public, and mass-mediated contexts. The study of health communication can contribute to health promotion in areas such as health campaigns, health professional-patient communication, health information, public health, health journalism. This minor is designed to be a program for students from a wide variety of majors who may seek careers in health and/or communication fields.
 

21 credits

The list below includes course options for nine (9) credits. Some of the options are limited to students in specific majors. Students must review the requirements for each course they select to satisfy the nine (9) credits to ensure that the course is available to them in their declared major and that they have satisfied all prerequisites.

One course of each group:

Nine (9) credits from the following:

History


The minor in history is designed to give students a chance to develop their talent and interest in historical study within a flexible schedule of courses. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.


18 credits

  • Students may select any six 3-credit history courses to earn this minor.
     

L

Literature


The focus of the Literature program is the study and appreciation of written, oral, and visual literature. Students majoring in other fields may wish to consider a Literature minor. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.


18 credits

  • Students may select 18 credits from literature courses to earn this minor. The choices must include LIT 340 and one course in the Textual Perspectives sequence.
     

M

Music


Music offerings seek to serve students by presenting the basics of music and the relationship of music to other areas of human endeavor. Skills courses seek to develop the student as a performer to foster self-expression and enjoyment of the art of music. Performance groups include chorus and ensembles. 


18 credits

A student pursuing another discipline may choose electives to form a music minor. Credit distribution is as follows:

P

Philosophy


The abilities students develop in Alvernia's Philosophy program set them apart and make them valuable to employers. In addition, exploring and wrestling with questions that have occupied humankind since its beginning are rewarding endeavors. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.

 

18 credits

  • Students may select any six 3-credit philosophy courses to earn this minor.
     
Political Science


As our world becomes increasingly complex, understanding politics is crucial for being informed and involved citizens. Adding a political science minor to a course of study gives students an understanding of the contemporary world and of important policy issues. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major.


18 credits

  • Students can achieve a minor in political science through a flexible course of study that requires 18 total hours. A maximum of 6 hours may be attained through an internship experience.
     
Pre-Law


The pre-law minor provides the critical reading, thinking, and discussion skills necessary for success on the LSATs and in law school while exposing students to ideas and subjects related to law such as public policy and contemporary social issues. Through their minor pre-law students will engage in conversations about American democracy, the nature of justice, and the rule of law in society and explore legal and ethical issues in fields such as business, criminal justice, communications, and more. In meeting requirements for their major, students with pre-law minors are encouraged to undertake an internship related to the field of law. Alvernia’s pre-law faculty advisors have varied academic and professional backgrounds enabling them to help students interested in pursuing a career in law, regardless of the student’s academic major. Pre-Law is also offered as a pre-professional program.
 

18 credits

Required:

3 credits in electives outside of the student’s major from:

Graduate Partnerships with Other Institutions:

Alvernia University in partnership with Widener University Delaware Law and Duquesne University School of Law offers opportunities for students who successfully complete their Alvernia degree requirements and meet the admissions requirements for each respective partner to earn a juris doctor degree. For specific guidelines and requirements, contact one of the Pre-Law Advisors.

Psychology


Psychology prepares students for careers in virtually any industry. It also prepares them for life by teaching important skills like communication and critical thinking. This program is also offered as an undergraduate major, as an Adult Education program and as an online program.
 

18 credits

Required:

S

Spanish


World languages courses are designed to enable students to acquire a functional competence of French, German, Italian, Latin and Spanish. Since the acquisition of a foreign language is closely linked with the culture of a given country, the instructors offer opportunities for students to appreciate, experience and learn to respect cultural differences through classroom discussions and/or presentation of a variety of material.


18 credits 

  • Students may select 18 credits from Spanish courses to earn this minor, with the exceptions of SPA 101, SPA 107 and SPA 115.
     
Sports Media


The Sports Media minor curriculum explores the role and impact of sports media in society and teaches students to write, report, and develop multimedia sports packages. Experiential learning will be emphasized via print, digital, and social media for events on campus. Students will learn the methods and techniques for sharing information about athletics, sports, and recreation in a variety of formats, media and contexts.
 

21 credits

Required (10-12 cr):

Elective Coursework (9-11 cr):

T

Theatre


Alvernia provides many opportunities for students to participate in theatre and dance. Students can major in theatre or minor in the program. Students from any major can participate in the university’s production program, which presents major works (Shakespeare, Chekhov, Sophocles, and world premieres of new plays). Beyond producing major plays, the theatre program has supported numerous student-initiated projects.
 

18 credits

A student pursuing another discipline may choose electives to form a theatre minor. Credit distribution is as follows:

Six credits from

Theology

A minor in theology provides students with greater knowledge of religious questions. The program is also offered as an undergraduate major.


18 credits

  • Students may select 18 credits from Theology courses to earn this minor.
     

W

Women’s & Gender Studies


Alvernia offers an interdisciplinary minor in women’s and gender studies that will expose students to the historical, economic, social, psychological, and political factors that have shaped traditional gender roles, contemporary issues of gender and sexuality, and historical struggles and achievements of women. As a discipline that addresses how gender intersects with categories such as sex, race, class, ethnicity, and nationality to shape identities and communities, WGS is committed to the ideals of inclusivity and diversity and shares in the Franciscan tradition of working toward social justice. By developing students’ awareness of diversity, equality, and justice, this program participates in Alvernia’s mission to provide students an intellectual breadth and an ethical foundation for their life-long personal and professional growth.
 

18 credits

Required:

9-15 credits from:

And no more than 6 credits from:

Note: *Cognates are identified by the student, the WGS Coordinator and the course instructor. A contract is created to add a significant gender component to the general class requirement. These may include, but are not limited to, readings, guided research on a topical paper, service project or an honors thesis. The contract should be approved by the WGS Coordinator prior to the beginning of the course. Only one cognate course may count toward the minor.

Required:

9-15 Credits From:

Maximum of 6 credits from: