DEPARTMENT MISSION

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FACULTY

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

DEGREE PLANS EGREE PLANS

Welcome to the web site for the Department of Social Science at Mineral Area College. Our department offers coursework in , social work, sociology, and psychology. You can browse our pages for information by clicking on the links listed below. 
This information is still in the production stage and is therefore subject to change.

Contact Information

Dr. Fred Nute,
Department of Social Science,
PO Box 1000,
5270 Flat River Rd.
Park Hills, MO 63601
Phone: (573) 518-2234 
Email: fred@MineralArea.edu

General Information

Social Science is a blend of diverse areas of study, both in content and methodology, which deal with how we think, what we feel, and how we behave as individuals and as members of social systems. Areas of study include PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, and SOCIAL WORK.

Course work in the Social Science Department offers the breadth necessary to satisfy our students' general education requirements as a part of the liberal arts at Mineral Area College, as well as prepare them for transfer into baccalaureate level programs at four-year schools. 

A student who majors in a social science field such as psychology or social work will have a faculty member in the department as his/her advisor. The student and advisor work together to plan course work that will satisfy the academic requirements for an (AA) or (AGS) degree and also meet the student's personal and career goals. Suggested high school course work includes a broad range of studies such as English literature and composition, mathematics, and the natural and behavioral sciences.

In addition to our campus programs and course offerings, students may obtain either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology on the MAC campus through our 2 + 2 completion program with Central Methodist College. In addition, CMC now offers a new Masters Degree Program in Counseling. For more information about this program you can contact the Regional Dean for Central Methodist, Sam Mason, at (573) 518-2293. 

Students may also obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work at MAC through a 2 + 2 degree completion program with the University of Missouri at St. Louis (UMSL). If you have specific questions about this degree program you can call Teri Furlow, Regional Coordinator, at (573) 518-2309 or 518-2324.

Areas of Study

One of the strengths of our department lies in the variety of its course offerings, as well as the varied backgrounds of our instructional staff. The following is a list of areas in which students can major and take courses:

Psychology:
Courses are designed to help students develop an increased understanding of the guiding principles of human behavior, and appreciation of individual differences, a foundation in the scientific method and theoretical issues in contemporary psychology, and exposure to career-related options for the major. Employers view psychology as a useful degree for employees to receive, as it strengthens their interpersonal and critical thinking skills. In addition, it helps people improve their research, observational, data analysis, and writing skills. To maximize their career prospects, psychology majors need to plan to invest in completing a bachelor's degree and eventually pursuing an appropriate graduate degree required for their specialization.

Sociology:
Course content is designed to provide students with a grasp of the forces that influence human relationships in a complex society, including an understanding of culture, institutions, global relations, social change, and pressing social issues. The curriculum is further molded by a desire to foster social awareness and a strong sense of civic and community responsibility. Most sociologists are employed within an academic setting where they can teach and do research in their areas of interest. The second place where most sociology majors find employment is within government or private corporate settings where research is needed. Sociology may also prepare students for occupations which are not directly related to teaching or research.

Social Work:
Social work is a dynamic, growth profession, which is based on knowledge drawn from the social sciences and its own research and practice. It offers you a vast range of career options and excellent chances for personal job satisfaction. This specialization attends not only to the inner workings of a person but also an understanding of the person in the environment. Social work programs are designed to prepare students broadly in areas such as case work, counseling, community intervention, social policy and planning, research and development, and administration and management. Students at MAC may take various courses such as Introduction to to Social Work, Theories & Skills, Policy & Politics, Sociology, and Social Problems in preparation to enter a bachelor's level (BSW) social work program at a four-year school.

Courses

The following is a list of the courses offered by the Department of Social Science. Please consult the MAC catalog for course descriptions, prerequisites, and specific degree requirements:

EDU1100  Psychology of Adolescence

GUI1000   Principles of College Success
SWK1000 Introduction to Social Work
SWK2000 Theories and Skills in Helping*
SWK2020 Policy and Politics*

PSY1040  Mental Health First Aid
PSY1130  General Psychology I
PSY1140  General Psychology II*
PSY1160  Applied Psychology
PSY1250  Human Growth and Development
PSY2000  Abnormal Psychology*
SOC1130 General Sociology
SOC1230 Social Problems
SOC1240 Substance Abuse in Modern Society
SOC1540 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
SOC1600 Ethnicity & Cultura Differences in America
SOC1620 Human Diversity

*Classes require a prerequisite

Special Opportunities

Honors:
Our students are encouraged to establish a "mentor" relationship with a faculty member and become involved in honors projects as a part of their coursework in the social sciences. The honors program at MAC provides an opportunity for enriched academic experiences with emphasis on individuality, originality, and collaborative learning. To be eligible to take Honors Classes the student must meet certain requirements such as maintaining a 3.25 GPA in 12 college credit hours or more. For more information you can contact the Honors Director, Jenny Gunn, at 573-518-2199.

Psi Beta:
Students at MAC maintain an active Chapter of Psi Beta, the national honorary organization for psychology majors at community colleges. Psi Beta allows interested students (both majors and non-majors) to become involved in department functions, educational enrichment experiences, school activities, and community service work. Membership is open to students who have and overall GPA of 3.0 in 12 college hours and at least a "B" average in psychology or other social science classes.

Scholarships: