Enhance Your Degree with an Academic Minor
Choosing an academic minor is a strategic way to broaden your college education, deepen your knowledge in a complementary area of study, and stand out in today’s competitive job market. At Mitchell College, students have the flexibility to pursue minors that enrich their majors, spark personal interest, or open doors to new career paths—ultimately creating a well-rounded academic experience rooted in real-world application.
In addition, academic minors allow students to tailor their college education to match their unique interests and professional goals. For example, whether you’re majoring in Business Management, Early Childhood Studies, Digital Communication, or Applied Exercise Science, adding a minor in fields like Entrepreneurship, Hospitality Management, Human Development, or Family Studies can significantly strengthen your resume. Moreover, it demonstrates intellectual curiosity and versatility to future employers or graduate programs.
At the same time, Mitchell College students benefit from small class sizes, a hands-on learning environment, and one-on-one faculty mentorship. This supportive academic atmosphere makes exploring multiple disciplines not only possible, but also highly encouraged. Furthermore, the innovative Mitchell Ability Model helps students build transferable skills—such as critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—that are further enhanced by pursuing an academic minor. As a result, this approach supports personalized learning pathways and ensures every student has the tools to succeed across industries.
Whether you’re passionate about the performing arts, sociology or psychology, criminal justice, business, or something else, Mitchell’s diverse minors offer a chance to explore new interests while enhancing your major. By integrating academic flexibility with purpose-driven education, Mitchell College helps students make the most of their college journey—both inside and outside the classroom.
Minor in Business (not in Business Management)
The Business minor at Mitchell College is designed to support students in becoming “work ready” within their chosen professional paths. Through a blend of foundational knowledge and practical application, students learn to evaluate real-world business situations and apply proven strategies to improve operations, solve problems, and deliver measurable results. Additionally, the program’s experiential learning approach equips students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to thrive in their fields and collaborate effectively with related industries.
Moreover, the Business minor is grounded in Mitchell’s unique abilities-based curriculum, which emphasizes the mastery of transferable skills—such as critical thinking, communication, and leadership. As a result, students are empowered to become life-long learners and are well-prepared for continued professional growth across a wide range of careers.
To complete the minor, students take three elective courses from the Management (AC/MG/BU) catalog. In addition, they must complete the following core courses:
BU123 — Intro to Business
MG224 — Principles of Marketing
MG240 — Principles of Leadership
Minor in Child Life Studies
The Child Life Studies minor at Mitchell College is designed to create a clear career pathway for undergraduate students interested in the intersection of psychology, education, child development, and healthcare. By integrating theory with applied learning, this interdisciplinary program prepares students to support the emotional and developmental needs of children and families in medical settings.
In addition, the minor helps students build a strong foundation in child development and family systems, while gaining exposure to the core competencies of the Child Life profession. Through targeted coursework, students develop the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with children experiencing illness, hospitalization, or other challenging life events.
Most importantly, the Child Life Studies minor prepares students to be internship-ready upon graduation, having successfully completed the academic requirements necessary for pursuing certification and advanced training in the field. Whether students aim to become Certified Child Life Specialists or work in related roles, this minor offers a valuable stepping stone toward a fulfilling, child-focused career.
Students must complete three specific courses:
HD199 — Introduction to Child Life
HD209 — Child Development
HD210 — Adolescent Development
Plus three of the following courses (prerequisites apply):
BI221 — Anatomy and Physiology
BS331 — Research Methods I
ED311 — Play in Early Childhood: Theory, Research, and Practice
HD305 — Ethics, Character, and Moral Development
HD339 — Systems and Theories of Family Development
PY313 — Death and Dying
Minor in Criminal Justice
A minor in Criminal Justice at Mitchell College offers students the opportunity to explore the core components and critical challenges of the American criminal justice system. Through a multidisciplinary lens, students examine the sociological, psychological, and economic theories of crime causation; analyze and explain the various legal and social responses to crime; and explore the moral, ethical, and legal obligations of a criminal justice professional.
In addition to foundational knowledge, students investigate current issues such as criminal behavior, justice reform, systemic inequality, and the role of policing in modern communities. This academic path complements a wide range of majors—such as Psychology and Business—and is ideal for students considering careers in public service, law, social work, or graduate study.
To complete the minor, students must take the following core courses:
CJ101 — Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ245 — Criminology
In addition, students choose four elective Criminal Justice courses based on their individual interests and career goals, allowing for a personalized and purposeful academic experience.
Minor in Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship minor at Mitchell College is designed to prepare students to be work-ready and innovation-focused within their chosen professional careers. Through a dynamic and applied curriculum, students learn how to develop business ideas, design and implement operations, solve real-world problems, and deliver measurable results. This minor is ideal for students who want to launch their own ventures or bring entrepreneurial thinking to existing organizations.
Additionally, the program’s experiential learning approach empowers students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors required to thrive in entrepreneurial roles across a variety of disciplines and industries. Combined with the college’s signature Mitchell Ability Model, students build transferable skills—such as creativity, leadership, adaptability, and strategic thinking—that promote lifelong learning and continued professional advancement.
To complete the Entrepreneurship minor, students are required to take one elective course from the Management (AC/MG/BU) catalog along with the following five core courses:
BU123 — Intro to Business
MG224 — Principles of Marketing
MG240 — Principles of Leadership
MG311 — Entrepreneurship I: The Search for Customer Value
MG326 — Entrepreneurship II: Building and Scaling a Business)
With this combination of business fundamentals and hands-on practice, students graduate ready to turn their ideas into action and create meaningful impact in their fields.
Minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies
The Gender and Sexuality Studies minor at Mitchell College offers students an interdisciplinary exploration of gender, sexuality, and intersectionality, providing knowledge and skills to be effective social actors in their field of study and beyond, as well as valuable perspectives that enrich any academic or professional path. Through coursework grounded in social sciences and the humanities, students examine how identity, power, and culture shape lived experiences across diverse communities.
In addition to expanding cultural understanding, this minor equips students with the critical thinking and communication skills needed to become effective advocates and change-makers in their fields and in society. Whether pursuing careers in education, psychology, healthcare, social work, or the arts, students gain tools to promote inclusivity, equity, and social responsibility.
To complete the minor, students are required to take the following three core courses:
PY217 — Psychology of Women
SO227 — Human Sexuality
HD441 — Gender Issues
In addition, students select three elective courses from a range of interdisciplinary topics tailored to their academic interests and career goals.
Minor in Hospitality Management
The Hospitality Management minor at Mitchell College is designed to prepare students to be work-ready professionals in the fast-paced and customer-focused hospitality industry. By combining business fundamentals with hands-on learning, students learn to evaluate real-world business scenarios and apply proven strategies to improve operations, solve problems, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
In addition, the program’s experiential learning approach empowers students with the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors essential for success in hospitality-related careers—including hotels, resorts, restaurants, tourism, and event management. Through college’s Mitchell Ability Model, students also develop highly sought-after transferable skills such as communication, adaptability, and leadership—skills that promote lifelong learning and continued advancement in the hospitality field.
To complete the minor, students must take three courses in Hospitality Management (HM), including the following required courses:
HM310 — Restaurant Management
HM340 — Quality Service Management
In addition, students choose one of the following specialized courses:
HM220 — Front Office Management
HM321 — Resort Management
This minor complements a wide range of majors and is ideal for students interested in careers where service excellence, business operations, and customer engagement are key to success.
Minor in Human Development and Family Studies
A minor in Human Development and Family Studies provides students with an opportunity to explore the dynamics of human growth, relationships, and family systems while enhancing self-awareness and informing personal and professional practice.
Required Courses:
HD108 — Introduction to Human Development
HD339 — Systems and Theories of Family Development
One of the following three courses:
HD209 — Child Development
HD210 — Adolescent Development
HD211 — Adult Development
Choice of three additional select courses in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology based on student’s interests.
Minor in Performing Arts
The Performing Arts minor at Mitchell College offers students a broad and immersive exploration of the performing arts, including music, theatre, and dance. Through a combination of theory, practice, and performance, students gain foundational and advanced skills in choral performance, music theory and composition, stage production, acting, and dance. This interdisciplinary approach encourages creativity, collaboration, and self-expression, all of which are essential in today’s performing arts landscape.
In addition to developing technical abilities, students engage with the collaborative process that defines live performance—learning how to work as part of an ensemble and understand their role within a production. Whether students are majoring in Communication, Education, Business, or another field entirely, the Performing Arts minor enhances their academic journey by building confidence, discipline, and communication skills that are transferable across a range of careers.
To complete the minor, students must take the following required courses:
TH130 – Introduction to Theatre: Where Do I Stand, and Why?
MU150 – Introduction to Practical Music Performance
In addition, students select four elective courses from the following list:
TH110 – Stagecraft and Play Production I
TH150 – Stage Makeup
TH210 – Stagecraft and Play Production II
TH230 – Acting II
TH250 – The Musical: A Reflection of Its Time
DA110 – Introduction to Dance
DA111 – Dance Improvisation
MU110 – Contemporary Music: Jazz, Blues and Rock
MU201 – Subversive’s Guide to the History and Appreciation of Music I
MU202 – Subversive’s Guide to the History and Appreciation of Music II
Additionally, participation in three semesters of Select Chorus (MU119/120/219/220/319/320/419/420) may be counted as one 3-credit course toward the minor. With its flexible course options and emphasis on creative expression, the Performing Arts minor allows students to develop a deeper appreciation of the arts while gaining valuable skills that resonate in any professional field.
Minor in Psychology
The Psychology minor at Mitchell College provides students with a strong foundation in the scientific study of the brain, social processes, and human behavior. Through engaging coursework and real-world applications, students gain insight into how individuals think, feel, and interact—knowledge that complements a wide range of majors and career paths.
In addition to developing a broad understanding of psychological principles, the minor offers students the flexibility to explore topics aligned with their personal interests and professional goals. Whether you’re planning to pursue graduate study or enter a field such as education, social work, business, or healthcare, the Psychology minor helps you build critical thinking, research, and communication skills that are highly valued in today’s workforce.
To complete the minor, students are required to take the following foundational courses:
PY105 — General Psychology I
PY106 — General Psychology II
In addition, students choose four elective courses in Psychology based on their individual interests, allowing for a tailored academic experience.
With its balance of structure and flexibility, the Psychology minor supports intellectual curiosity and prepares students to apply psychological insights in both academic and real-world settings.
Minor in Sociology
The Sociology minor at Mitchell College equips students with a valuable social science perspective to understand the complex interactions between individuals, groups, and broader society. Through the study of social structures, power, and inequality, students gain insight into the forces that shape human behavior and influence social outcomes across cultures and communities.
In addition to developing a foundational understanding of sociological theory, the minor empowers students with the knowledge and analytical skills to become effective social actors—whether in education, public service, healthcare, business, or advocacy. Students learn how to critically examine social issues and are encouraged to apply what they learn to promote positive change in their fields of study and future careers.
To complete the Sociology minor, students take the following required courses:
SO103 — Introduction to Sociology
SO104 — Social Problems
In addition, students choose four elective courses from a range of topics in sociology, anthropology, and race and gender studies, allowing them to tailor the minor to their interests and career goals. With its emphasis on critical thinking, cultural awareness, and social responsibility, the Sociology minor provides essential tools for understanding—and shaping—the world around us.
Minor in Sport Management
The Sport Management minor at Mitchell College is designed to prepare students to be work-ready professionals in the dynamic and fast-growing sport industry. Through a practical and applied learning experience, students gain the tools to evaluate business situations, improve operations, solve problems, and deliver impactful results within sport-related organizations.
In addition, the program emphasizes experiential learning, allowing students to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors essential for success in a variety of sport management careers—including athletic administration, event management, marketing, coaching, and facility operations. Through the college’s signature Mitchell Ability Model, students also build transferable skills such as leadership, communication, and strategic thinking, empowering them to become lifelong learners and agile professionals across industries.
To complete the minor, students must take:
SM110 — Introduction to Sport Management
In addition, students select five additional courses from Sport Management (SM) offerings or from approved Physical Education courses, including:
PE121 — First Aid and Safety
PE228 — Principles of Coaching
Whether combined with majors like Business, Communication, or Health and Human Services, the Sport Management minor provides valuable preparation for students seeking careers at the intersection of athletics, business, and community impact.

