Minors

Why Add a Minor?

A well-chosen minor can enhance your major, provide an opportunity to discover more about an interest, and add additional skills and knowledge to your resume.  A minor broadens your skills and your outlook, and it can help you offer a more diverse learning experience to a graduate school or to an employer.

Obtaining a minor at UC is a testament to a student’s commitment to intellectual curiosity and versatility. It allows students to explore complementary disciplines outside their major, fostering a broader perspective and enhancing problem-solving abilities.

Employers seek graduates who possess not only specialized knowledge in their major but also a depth of understanding in related fields. A minor demonstrates adaptability, versatility, and the ability to tackle complex challenges from multiple angles. It also shows that a student is willing to go beyond the minimum expectations, another quality valued by employers. Our commitment to providing a wide range of minor options ensures that students can tailor their education to align with their career aspirations, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen profession.

From mathematics and English to leadership and psychology, we offer 23 opportunities for a minor that fits your goals, your dreams and your interests.

Turn Minors into a Major Opportunity

For some students, a single focused major doesn’t fit their personality or their goals. Our Multi-Disciplinary Studies degree lets you design your own major by combining three of our minors. They can all be connected, or they can be diverse, to fit both your interest and career goals. It’s a great way to add depth to your education and tailor it to your own style and goals.

• Applied Computer Science (20 credit hours) – from database systems to computer networks and more, a computer science minor provides a wide range of skills.
• Biology (19 credit hours) – for students who want to study living organisms and life processes.
• Business Administration (21 credit hours) – offered in seat and online, this minor helps students develop business skills.
• Chemistry (18 credit hours) – gain an understanding of chemical reactions and the chemistry involved in everyday life in the world around us.
• Communication (18 credit hours) – provides a foundation in the study of human communication while integrating areas of study including speech, writing, public relations and journalism.
• Criminal Justice (18 credit hours) – for students interested in the criminal justice system. Students will take courses in areas such as criminal law, law enforcement, terrorism and homeland security, etc.
• Data Analytics (21 credit hours) – knowledge and skills needed to gather, analyze, and interpret complex data sets to drive data-informed decision-making in various industries.
• Digital Marketing & Sales (18 credit hours) – provides students with an understanding of successful search optimization techniques, professional selling strategies, and sales management knowledge.
• Digital Media Design (18 credit hours) – this minor, focused on utilizing digital resources to promote products and services, is an excellent complement for students majoring in Communications, Digital Marketing, Political Science, and others.
• English (18 credit hours) – acquire knowledge of literary texts and periods, with an emphasis on critical reasoning and analysis.
• Entrepreneurship (19 credit hours) – uses design thinking, the business model canvas, and lean startup methodologies in a hands-on, experiential approach to new venture creation.
• Health Science (18 credit hours) – this minor helps students develop a broader perspective of the health science field.
• History (18 credit hours) – provides a study into the past with course areas such as world cultures, history of war, and world geography.
• Mathematics (18 credit hours) – designed to educate students interested in furthering their mathematical abilities and critical thinking skills. The curriculum focuses on the development of content knowledge in advanced mathematics for STEM-oriented students from any discipline.
• Music (23 credit hours) – designed to educate students interested in studying and practicing music as an avocation. The curriculum focuses on the development of content knowledge in popular and world music history in addition to performance skills as a soloist and member of an ensemble.
• Organizational Leadership (18 credit hours) – provides individuals with the skills they need to join the next generation of global leaders by using foundational skills and applying personal and professional knowledge in core leadership competencies.
• Political Science (18 credit hours) – provides a glimpse into the political science field with courses in legislative/executive/judicial branch politics, foundations in public policy, national government, and more.
• Professional Writing (19 credit hours) – designed to help students who want to focus on writing in the professional world. The curriculum draws from English, public relations and communication courses to give students a background in several key professional areas.
• Psychology (18 credit hours) – helps students understand the operation of behavior and mental processes of organisms, and appreciate psychology as a discipline, a science and a profession.
• Regional Studies in Appalachia (18 credit hours) – provides students an opportunity to study local culture in an interdisciplinary way with courses spanning from English to Social Sciences to Business.
• Sport Business (18 credit hours) – blends business and sport management courses into a minor designed to help students succeed in the sport industry. Students select from courses such as sport law, facility/event management, sport media/information, and coaching theory.
• Strength & Conditioning (18 credit hours) – designed to expand students’ knowledge of performance enhancement through interdisciplinary coursework in Movement Science, Athletic Training and Health Science. Students completing the Strength & Conditioning minor are prepared to take recognized credentialing certification exams offered by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
• Video Game Development (21 credit hours) – provides students with a focused computer program development experience. It is intended to be an entry-level experience in the realm of game design and provides students with many of the fundamentals of computer science.