Website

Contact Information

Dean's Office
Scofield Hall, 3rd Floor
711 E. 51st Street
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

Email: shss@umkc.edu
Phone: (816) 235-1136
Fax: (816) 235-5191

Dean

Tamara Falicov

Associate Deans

Alex Holsinger
Toya Like
Beth Vonnahme

School of Humanities & Social Sciences (SHSS) Departments and Programs

Vision:

To provide a student-centered learning experience at an urban university, producing world-class research and creative work.

Mission:

At the SHSS, students, faculty, and staff participate in the core mission of our unit by:

• Cultivating exploration and innovation through dynamic learning environments, cutting-edge research, and community engagement;
• Expanding knowledge and practical skills through the integrative study of human experience, behavior, and creativity; and
• Empowering students, faculty, and staff to become culturally responsive, civic-minded leaders and life-long learners within our diverse local and global communities.

Values:

We commit to these key values in our research, teaching, and service:

• Accountability & Integrity,
• Inclusion & Belonging,
• Compassion & Understanding,
• Collaboration & Partnership, and
• Creativity & Positive Impact.

Independent Study

The opportunity to undertake independent study is offered by many departments in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) to students who qualify. Typical kinds of independent study include: special reading topics, creative work in the humanities, research projects, performances in the arts or fieldwork experiences.

Study Abroad

For more information regarding study abroad and related scholarships, please visit http://www.umkc.edu/international. Additionally, the UMKC Study Abroad Coordinator is available at (816) 235-5790.

Fellowships & Awards

UMKC's Career Services Office has a Manager of Nationally Competitive Awards who, along with Study Abroad and Global Engagement (SAGE) Office, assists students who want to apply for major fellowships that support continued undergraduate study and graduate school.

Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

For more information regarding undergraduate research opportunities, please visit https://umkc.edu/undergraduate-research.

Undergraduate research opportunities are available in many disciplines within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS). Interested students should speak with faculty members in their major department. When selecting a faculty mentor for undergraduate research, students should consider their own research or creative project ideas, courses they have taken, as well as faculty research interests.

Pre-Law

SHSS offers a variety of majors and programs that serve many pre-law students.  SHSS provides classes, faculty mentors, and an academic community to assist students at every step of their pre-law education.  This includes identifying skills necessary for success in law school and in the profession, matching students with programs to develop and hone those skills, working with students on choosing a law school and navigating the admissions process, preparing for the LSAT, hosting guest speakers from the legal profession, and opportunities to engage with law school students, faculty, and classes.

90+ Program (Law)

The 90+ opportunity makes it possible for high-achieving students to begin study at UMKC's School of Law after completing 90 undergraduate credit hours. Students then complete their undergraduate degree with law school credits.

The 90+ program does not guarantee admission into UMKC's School of Law. Participants must apply and otherwise qualify for law school.

• Any interested student should meet early and often with their academic advisor and MAP Mentor in their major program.  All candidates for this program must, during the Law School application process, complete a satisfactory interview with the UMKC School of Law Admissions Committee. Candidates must also demonstrate potential to be a successful law student and an absence of disqualifying character or fitness issues.