Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Human Services and Social Justice

The bachelor of arts in human services and social justice prepares students for a multitude of career paths, ranging from work in education, nonprofit management, policy, and health, among other fields. Program coursework deepens students’ understanding of the field of human services and social justice, translating classroom knowledge into real-world actions.

The human services and social justice program provides:

• Educational experiences to advocate for equity inside and outside the classroom, working alongside community partners.
• Multidisciplinary perspectives and expertise to look at complex social problems in society.
• Leadership skills that create team and community building, resulting in active social change making.
• Integration of a justice lens into academics, community engagement, and the social world.
• Instruction from academics and working professionals with social justice at the forefront of their endeavors.

Visit the program website for more information.

For information about the admission process, including deadlines, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications can be submitted via the Common Application.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st St NW Suite 100
Washington, DC 20052

For questions visit undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/contact-us.

 The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

Program-specific curriculum (below).

Achievement of a minimum grade of C- in all courses that count toward the degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prerequisites
HSSJ 1100	Introduction to Human Services and Social Justice
SOC 1001	Introduction to Sociology
or SOC 1002	The Sociological Imagination

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
HSSJ 2170	Professional Relationships in Human Services
HSSJ 2171	Child and Adolescent Development
HSSJ 2172	Adult Development
HSSJ 2177	Social Justice and Public Policy
HSSJ 2200	Principles of Ethical Leadership
HSSJ 3100W	Program Evaluation
HSSJ 3110W	Nonprofit Management
HSSJ 4195	Senior Capstone
SOC 2101	Social Research Methods
SOC 2102	Techniques of Data Analysis
or SOC 2111	Field Research
Electives
Three courses (9 credits) selected from the following:
HSSJ 2160	Role of NGOs in International Humanitarian Assistance
HSSJ 4198	Special Topics
SOC 2104	Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOC 2135	Youth and Delinquency
SOC 2105	Social Problems in American Society
SOC 2162	Sociology of the Family
SOC 2163	Sociology of Education
SOC 2170	Class and Inequality in American Society
SOC 2173	Social Movements
SOC 2175	Sociology of Sex and Gender
SOC 2179	Race and Minority Relations

Note: A student majoring in human service and social justice may not declare a second major or a minor in sociology, or vice versa. 

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC) as well as the course CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

• One course in critical thinking in the humanities.

• Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.

• One course that has an approved oral communication component.

• One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics).
• One course in scientific reasoning (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
• UW 1020 University Writing (4 credits).
• After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number. 

Coursework for the CCAS G-PAC requirement is distributed as follows:

• Arts—one approved arts course that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
• Global or cross-cultural perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
• Local or civic engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
• Natural or physical science—one additional approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• Humanities—one additional approved humanities course that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience

Certain courses are approved to fulfill GPAC requirements in more than one category.

Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC requirements may also be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.

Lists of approved courses in the above categories are included on each undergraduate major's page in this Bulletin.