Dr. James T. LaPlant, Dean
1060 Nevins Hall

Dr. R. Mark Smith, Associate Dean
1060 Nevins Hall

College Mission Statement

The mission of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is to promote study in a supportive and challenging environment that prepares students to be thoughtful, engaged citizens and successful professionals.

Values (Goals) and Strategies

Excellent teaching: Quality teaching underlies all aspects of the college's mission. The college values sound pedagogy, multi-modal course delivery, and experiential learning.

Meaningful service: Faculty and students match their talents with leadership and service opportunities in the university and region.

Transformative research: Faculty are encouraged to conduct collaborative research with peers and students that engages local and global audiences.

Six academic departments comprise the College of Humanities and Social Sciences: English; History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies; Modern and Classical Languages; Psychological Science; Political Science; and Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice.

The Associate of Arts degree may be earned upon satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours of academic credit, to include completion of Areas A through F of the Core Curriculum. Any single Area F may be selected from among departmental listings.

Degree Programs Offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Associate of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

  • English
  • History
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Sociology/Anthropology
  • Spanish

Bachelor of Science

  • Criminal Justice
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Psychology

Minors

  • Africana Studies
  • Native American and Indigenous Studies
  • Women’s and Gender Studies

All major degree programs require six credit hours in a single discipline outside the major. The courses must be at the 3000-4000 level.

Experiential Learning

In support of the VSU Strategic Plan, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences recognizes the value of Experiential Learning as defined by the American Association of Colleges and Universities as "a sense of social responsibility, as well as strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills." Each department in the college has identified courses in its curricula that embed components of Experiential Learning as defined by the AACU. Embedded Experiential Learning components include internships, study abroad experiences, mentoring, service learning, tutoring, and publicly-presented undergraduate research. Beginning Fall 2021, all new students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences must earn at least three hours of college-specific Experiential Learning credits prior to graduation. Students who accumulate twelve or more hours may earn a Certificate of Excellence in Experiential Learning.