Certificate-Only

Optional Certificate Possibilities

Certificates bring liberal arts approaches to a topic that doesn’t fall within a single discipline or domain. This tier is intended to convey to students that the world’s complexity cannot be understood solely from the perspective of any one discipline, and that different approaches can complement one another to build more complete understanding. The certificates also give students a chance to further develop key skills of critical thinking, writing and oral communication, in addition to two other student learning outcomes.

Certificates are optional, but the 9-12 credits included within them are not. If a student opts not to take a certificate, they must take additional elective courses from anywhere in the general education program, including these certificate-only courses.

Course Listings that Support Certificates

ACCT 2120 Principles of Financial Accounting

3 hrs. Introduction to reporting financial information regarding the operating, investing and financing activities of business enterprises to present and potential investors, creditors, and others. Regression note: Subsequent to successfully completing a 100/3000/4000-level Accounting course, neither ACCT 2120 nor ACCT 2130 may be repeated.

CHIN 1060 Introduction to Chinese Culture: (Topic)

3 hrs. This survey course of Chinese Literature introduces major works of Chinese literature over history.

May be repeated for credit under different topics.

CS 1025 Modern Tools for Exploring Data

3 hrs. Explores use of computational tools to explore data sets, find patterns, and solve complex problems. Topics include representing problems, modeling data, simulating processes, and validating models, with applications in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and business.

CS 1025 Modern Tools for Exploring Data

CS 1170 Introductory Programming for Data Science

3 hrs. Explores use of software development and tools to explore data sets, find patterns, and solve complex problems in the area of data science. Topics include introductory programming methodologies, data visualization, and an introduction to data mining.

CSD 3100 Language Acquisition in Children: Birth to 5 Years

3 hrs. Study of the acquisition of phonological, semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic systems as these interface with brain maturation and motor, cognitive, and social development. Biological and social/interactional factors examined from variety of perspectives (e.g. cultural and linguistic diversity), stressing “applied” orientation.

ENGLISH 2770 Introduction to Workplace Writing

3 hrs. Emphasis on writing in workplace settings: workplace communication responsibilities affecting a variety of audiences, theoretical perspectives, and lab experiences with industry-standard technologies, writing practices specific to disciplines, attention to the history of the professional communication discipline.

ENTR 2010 Entrepreneurial Fundamentals

3 hrs. Focused on constructing projected financial statements for a start-up company using market research and industry analysis data given a lack of historical data. Lays foundation for skills and motivations necessary for entrepreneurial success.

FAM SERV 1055 Human Growth and Development

3 hrs. Examination of theory and research contributing to our understanding of how biological, psychological, and social influences shape interindividual differences and intraindividual change across the life span.

GEOG 2250 Nature-Society Relations

3 hrs. There is no relationship more fundamental to society than the one we have with our natural environment. This introductory course will explore human society's connection to food systems, climate change, urbanization and extinctions, while connecting local-scale phenomena with regional-, national-, and global-scale processes.

KINES 2053 Physical Activity and Nutrition

3 hrs. Identification and programming of physical activities and nutrition lifestyle practices. Emphasis on the role of physical activity and nutrition in the enhancement of health and fitness in others. Integration of experiential learning activities with cognitive subject matter.

KINES 2056 Motor Learning and Development

3 hrs. Introduction to the developmental and learning factors which influence the capability to move effectively throughout the life span.

KINES 2062 Developmental Trends in Physical Activity and Sport

3 hrs. Developmental Trends in Physical Activity and Sport focuses on physical, mental, and emotional developmental changes from early childhood through adolescence in relation to the physical domain. Topics include: theoretical perspectives of human development, development of self-perceptions, influence of significant others throughout childhood and adolescence, effective communication skills for the developmental age, factors that influence motivation and continued participation, emotional experiences in youth sport, and self-regulation skills.

LIBRARY 2100 Question Everything: Navigating Information Overload

3 hrs. We are bombarded with information from the moment we wake up in the morning (hello, cell phone) to the moment we go to sleep (goodnight, laptop). But how many of us actually question the sources of information or how information is produced and filtered? In today's information age it is essential to look at these questions and others so that we can better understand contemporary society and be prepared for future changes and challenges. Students will come away with skills to prepare them to be informed, responsible, and engage students, citizens, and professionals.

MGMT 2080 Introduction to Information Systems

3 hrs. Introduction to management information systems. Includes introduction to hardware and data communication technology, software and data management, and business applications of the technology.

MGMT 2113 Business Communication

3 hrs. Application of business communication principles. Students will study and practice writing common business documents, presenting information, and working with others. Includes the study of non-verbal and interpersonal skills in the workplace as well as the use of email, social media, video-conferencing and other technology to effectively communicate to their audience.

PHIL 3360 Intellectual Vices and Virtues: Theory and Practice

3 hrs. This course will provide students with opportunities to accomplish four objectives: 1. Gain a rigorous understanding of virtues and vices, and in particular intellectual virtues (such as intellectual humility, intellectual courage, intellectual autonomy, open-mindedness, curiosity, and wisdom) and intellectual vices (such as closed-mindedness, intellectual cowardice, gullibility, wishful thinking, conspiracy mentality, and epistemic injustice). 2. Investigate the relevance of intellectual vices and virtues to specific domains such as education, science, business, leadership, politics and social activism, religious belief and practice, interpersonal relationships, and mental health and well-being. 3. Foster self-improvement to character by cultivating intellectual virtues and mitigating intellectual vices. 4. Develop skills essential to critical thinking and effective communication.

POL AMER 1048 Current and Emerging Issues in Public Administration

3 hrs. Most government employees who are making decisions, running programs and spending taxpayer money are not elected officials, but public servants. The purpose of this course is to examine the role of these bureaucrats in American government by developing an understanding of the history of the system, the tension between expertise and democracy, and the related issues that affect the American people and others around the globe.

POL AMER 3153 Leadership and Management in Public Service

3 hrs. This course provides students the opportunity to study the political nature, characteristics and operation of American public organizations. You will analyze the internal and external factors that explain how public organizations operate, including theories and models of leadership and internal dynamics of public organizations and their role in the American political system.

POL AMER 3172 Public Budgeting

3 hrs. Historical development of current budgeting practices; politics of budgetary process at federal, state, and local levels; current methods of budgeting for public agencies, focusing on integration of budgeting into program planning.

POL GEN 1060 B.S. Detection

3 hrs. This course seeks to give students the tools to understand what is happening in the world and decide what they should do about it. It is not about what to think, but about how to think. We often talk about critical thinking but what, exactly, does that mean? This course will help students learn to slow down and critically analyze information to help them improve their understanding of current events and develop the habits of mind that contribute to a life of active citizenship.

PSYCH 2202 Developmental Psychology

3 hrs. Contemporary and historical theories of human development throughout the lifespan; description of cognitive, emotional, social, and physical changes over time.

PSYCH 2403 The Science and Experience of Human Flourishing

3 hrs. Explores the theoretical foundations, methodological approaches, and interventions of Positive Psychology and Positive Developmental Science to study positive emotions, experiences, relationships, meaning, and achievement. Additional topics include happiness, well-being, joy, purpose, optimism, resilience, character strengths, values, flow, wisdom, mindfulness, spirituality, meditation, post-traumatic growth, positive families, positive education, and positive work.

PSYCH 3304 Work Psychology: Well-Being

3 hrs. Explores how psychological science can improve health and happiness at work. This course focuses on the characteristics of work and workers impacting satisfaction, motivation, leadership, teamwork, and health and safety.

PSYCH 3305 Work Psychology: Performance

3 hrs. Explores how psychological science can improve performance at work. The course focuses on maximizing performance by selecting prospective employees, training employees, and engaging with employees through performance evaluation.

PSYCH 3310 Psychology of Science and Pseudoscience

3 hrs. Daily, we are bombarded with interesting and novel breakthroughs involving claims that may or may not be true. In this age of fake news, alternative facts, and evidence-free assertions, critical thinking is of paramount importance. In this course, students will distinguish science and pseudoscience; identify logical fallacies and cognitive biases involved in pseudoscientific thinking; and critically evaluate current controversies (e.g., vaccines, alternative medicine, conspiracy theories) from multiple perspectives.

RELS 2110 Great Living Religions: Confucianism, Daoism, and Zen

3 hrs. Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Shintoism.

RTNL 2210 Nonprofit Leadership Practicum, Level I

2 hrs. Professional development forum for experiential education and practical application in recreation, tourism and community services. Activities and programming designed for students seeking a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential, as part of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program. May be repeated for maximum of 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor.

STAT 1780 Introduction to Data Science

3 hrs. Data acquisition, management, and visualization; selected methodologies of machine learning; applications and model evaluation; implementation in R; ethical issues in data science. Prerequisite(s): ALEKS Score of >50%.

SW 3143 Self-Care and Stress Management in Helping Professions

3 hrs. This course examines the consequences of trauma experiences, toxic stress for individuals, groups and communities. The course explores traumatic events, toxic stress impact on an individual's physical and mental health and patterned behavior. The course discusses the prevention and intervention of toxic stress and trauma. Last, this course explores individual strategies of self-care and stress management.

SW 3175 Child Welfare Policy and Practice

3 hrs. Review of development of family and children's services and practice, focusing on current services, programs, and social work practice issues. Examination of policies and legislation, emphasizing how such policies affect family functioning and the delivery of services.

THEATRE 1002 The Theatrical Arts and Society

3 hrs. Audience-oriented introduction to the dramatic arts, including the live theatre, film, and television, and their interrelationships with society. Special focus sections offered on a rotating basis. Attendance at TheatreUNI productions is a class requirement.