College of Social Sciences
101 WHITNEY HOUSE/308-4790
Web site: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/coss
Dean: Sharon Cogdill (Interim)
Associate Dean: Phillip Godding (Interim)
Students in the College of Social Sciences are interested in the major questions facing the United States and the broader global community. Our majors focus on the collective aspects of human existence whether these occur in whole societies, complex organizations, small groups or individuals. In developing answers to these questions, you will come to see the impact of the social context in which these questions are asked, have a choice among several international programs, and have the broadest range of internship opportunities available on campus. Graduates are able to clearly visualize problems, identify possible solutions, and work with others to implement a chosen solution. These skills make graduates in the social sciences attractive candidates for positions in both the private and public sector. In fact, a study by American Telephone and Telegraph has documented the superior managerial skills of graduates in the social sciences.
Departments
Community studies
Criminal justice
Economics
Ethnic studies
Geography
History
Political science
Psychology
Social work
Sociology and anthropology
Programs
Interdisciplinary Programs
African studies
East Asian studies
Gerontology
Global studies
International relations
Latin American studies
Social science
Social studies
Interdepartmental Programs
Pre-law (see pre-professional programs)
Public administration
Major Programs
The following majors and minors are offered in the College of Social Sciences:
*African studies
*American Indian Studies
Anthropology
Community development
Criminal justice
*East Asian studies
Economics
*Ethnic studies
*Geographic information science
Geography
*Gerontology
Global studies
History
International relations
Land surveying/mapping science
Latin American studies
Political Science
*Private security
Psychology
Public administration
Social science
Social studies
Social work
Sociology
*Soviet and Eurasian Studies
Travel and tourism
Women's studies
*Minor only
Accreditation
The Social Work program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Applied Sociology concentration in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology is accredited by The Commission on Applied and Clinical Sociology.
Archaeological Computing Laboratory
The Archaeological Computing Laboratory is dedicated to the development and testing of new computer-guided techniques in archaeology and cultural resource management. Student participation and training is an essential part of this mission, and the lab sponsors several courses, internships, and student exchanges every year.
Center for Economic Education
The Center for Economic Education's general objective is the improvement of economic education programs at the elementary, secondary and college levels of instruction. This office conducts special adult education courses and offers symposiums and in-service workshops in economic education for teachers and curriculum supervisors. The center conducts National Science Foundation, U.S. Office of Education and private foundation supported curriculum and research programs.
Central Minnesota Historical Center
The Center collects primary and secondary sources of history of central Minnesota in order to preserve these materials and to make them available for the use of students, scholars and interested citizens.
Minnesota Economic Development Center
The Minnesota Economic Development Center provides technical assistance and program/policy analysis to economic development groups. The center is funded by a grant from the US Economic Development Administration and matching funding from SCSU and the College of Social Sciences.
Social Science Research Institute
The Social Science Research Institute provides assistance to faculty in applied research and funded research efforts. The institute serves as liaison with the Office of Sponsored Programs, and maintains information regarding research opportunities in Minnesota and regionally.
Spatial Analysis Research Center (SARC)
Web site: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/sarc
The Spatial Analysis Research Center provides training workshops and research opportunities in applied geography utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) techniques. Students have access to one of the best equipped graphics computer laboratories in the country. Research and externally funded assistantships are available for qualified students. Internships are available for qualified students. Internships and joint project opportunities are available for both graduate and undergraduate students.
St. Cloud State University Survey
Web site: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsusurvey
The Survey is a public opinion survey research service that specializes in local, state, and national telephone survey research. The Survey operates a Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) Research Lab. The Survey also is a teaching and learning center for faculty and students.
Internships
Each department has an internship program. For information, contact the appropriate department's internship director or department chair.
Licensure
The criminal justice department's professional peace officer education program is certified as a provider of the academic law enforcement licensing core by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board.
Suggested plans of study for all majors in the College of Social Sciences are available online at http://bulletin.stcloudstate.edu/ugb/.
