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, SOCIAL WORK, and HUMAN SERVICES. 

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. 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:

Human Services:
Two-year paraprofessional program designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in public and private community agencies and institutions involved with "helping professions". Students will be prepared to work directly with people in a variety of settings, including such areas as mental health, family services, child welfare, developmental disabilities, gerontology, and substance abuse. Practicum experiences in a social services agency allows the student to apply skills, knowledge, and values in real-world situations. The curriculum may also serve as a base for future professional development and specialization in related fields such as psychology, sociology, and social work.

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 Human Services, 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:

EDU110 Psychology of Adolescence
HMS100 Introduction to Human Services
HMS101 Theories and Skills in Helping
HMS102 Policy and Politics
HMS103 Assessment and Documentation Practice
HMS110 Treatment of Alcohol & Drug Abuse
HMS111 Group Practice in Human Services
HMS201 Human Services: Practicum I
HMS202 Human Services: Practicum II
HMS290 Selected Topics in Human Services
PSY113 General Psychology I
PSY114 General Psychology II
PSY116 Applied Psychology
PSY120 Psychology of Aging
PSY121 Adult Growth and Development
PSY122 Physical Effects of Aging
PSY125 Human Growth and Development
PSY200 Abnormal Psychology
SOC113 General Sociology
SOC123 Social Problems
SOC124 Substance Abuse in Modern Society
SOC133 Marriage and Family Living
SOC140 Human Relations
SOC145 Introduction to Gerontology
SOC146 Human Sexuality Throughout the Life Span
SOC153 Introduction to Anthropology
SOC154 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
SOC155 Survey of Criminal Justice
SOC156 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC160 Ethnicity & Cultura Differences in America
SOC162 Human Diversity

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:
The Department of Social Science offers two scholarships to incoming freshman each year. The scholarships cover tuition and maintenance fees for the first semester and is renewable for each semester of the two-year program contingent on the following requirements: 1) student enrolled in at least (12) academic transfer hours each semester 2) student remains a "declared major" in the scholarship area 3) student must maintain a 3.0 (B) GPA in the scholarship area and a 2.5 (C+) average overall 4) student must take at least one course in the scholarship area every semester.

Practicum Experiences:
The practicum is an important part of the Human Services educational program at MAC. It offers students the opportunity to integrate classroom work within a supervised framework of field experiences. The practicum offers the student both individualized and experiential learning opportunities within the setting of a social service agency. While all human services students are required to complete two semesters (6 hours) of practicum, other social science majors may take a practicum for elective credit if approved by the department chair. The practicum involves working in a social service agency for an average of (12) hours per week in order to obtain experience and on-the-job training. The practicum experience is designed to offer the student the opportunity to observe professionals within the field of choice, to develop skills required to work effectively with other professionals, to apply classroom learning in the "real world", and to begin to develop a personal style consistent with strengths, capabilities, and accepted standards.