School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
University Mission
Voorhees University is a private historically black liberal arts institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church, whose mission is to produce highly qualified graduates who coalesce intellect and faith in pursuit of life-long learning, healthy living, the betterment of society, and an abiding faith in God.
School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Mission
Aligned with the university’s mission and strategic plan, our school advances the education of our students by preparing them for a variety of employment opportunities in the areas of child development, criminal justice, sociology, mass communications, psychology, interdisciplinary studies, and theological studies.
The Child Development Major is a non-certification B.S. Degree Program. The purpose of the program is to provide a vehicle for educating childcare workers and their supervisors in methods of high-quality programming and a belief system that demands positive outcomes for the development and learning of children from birth to age 5. The degree prepares graduates for positions of responsibility and leadership in Head Start Programs, childcare facilities, private preschools, and family childcare. It can also serve as a base for a Master of Arts Degree Program in early childhood or elementary education for certification, enabling candidates to teach in schools as well as have master’s degrees.
The degree has two pathways: the regular pathway by which the Child Development student starts his or her freshman year at Voorhees University and follows the suggested curriculum to graduation and the pathway by which the student passes through the Associate Degree Program in Early Childhood at the Technical Education Centers in South Carolina, it being the base, and then completing the remainder of his or her courses needed for a four-year B. S. Degree in Child Development at Voorhees University. The Associate Degree pathway is frequently called the Two-Plus-Two Degree Program.
The criteria for completion of the degree program:
- Completion of all courses and required practicums;
- An overall average GPA of 2.5;
- A cumulative GPA of 2.7 in education and child development courses at Voorhees University;
- A score of “2” or above on the Dispositions Survey;
- A score of “2” or above on the rating for the
- Professional Portfolio;
- A “B” or better on the final practicum (Student Teaching); and
- Completion of the application for graduation.
Child Development Curriculum
- *50 hours of General Education courses
- *67 hours of professional education and child development courses
- *12 hours of electives
The total curriculum has 123 credit hours.
CURRICULUM FOR THE TWO-PLUS-TWO PROGRAM
Associate Degree in Early Childhood 66 or 67 Credit Hours
Additional Courses for the Degree Program 62 Credit Hours
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS 128 or 129
The goals of the Criminal Justice major are to:
Prepare graduates to meet the demands of the 21st century in the field of Criminal Justice, by making sure students are aware of the issues, concepts, philosophies and theories in criminal justice through quality teaching by continuing to strengthen teaching and student learning in the major.
Prepare students to pursue advanced studies or a career in Criminal Justice and or related professions such as Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, and Law.
A major in Criminal Justice requires:
- 50 hours in General Education
- 33 hours in Criminal Justice Major Core Courses
- 24 hours in Social Science Core Courses
- 12 restrictive electives
- 3 hours in free electives
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Criminal Justice, 122 semester credit hours are required.
The goals of the Mass Communication major are to:
- Aid and assist students to fully comprehend the nature and scope of mass media and its impact on a changing society;
- Prepare graduates who are independent professional communicators capable of growing and changing to meet the demands of a global society.
- Serve the College and community by providing knowledge and expertise in the area.
The major in Mass Communication requires:
- 50 hours of General Education courses
- 27 hours of core requirements
- 45 hours of required related courses in Mass Communication.
At least 122 hours are needed to graduate.
The goals of the Sociology Major are to:
- Offers learners a rigorous and intellectually grounded understanding of the social world and develop theoretical and analytical skills to evaluate and conduct social field research and analysis.
- Offers learners a curriculum that is dedicated to building the students’ sociological knowledge and skills that are applicable to a broad range of settings including the public and private sectors, and especially, in the pursuit of graduated studies and professional work in sociology, law, social work, urban planning and development, public policy, education and other related fields of employment.
A major in Sociology requires:
- 50 hours in General Education program classes
- 30 hours of core Sociology courses
- 24 hours of Social Science classes
- 12 hours of restricted electives
- 6 hours of general electives.
A minimum of 122 hours are needed to graduate.
The goals of the Theological Studies major are to:
- Prepare students primarily for graduate or advanced study in Theology and related fields as well as for professional schools;
- Provide a strong foundation for an effective transition into lay ministry; and
- Develop critical thinking, empathy, and counseling skills necessary to serve the people of God.
A major in Theological Studies requires:
A minimum of semester hours are needed to graduate.
Campus Sites and Online Degree Offerings
You have goals, and we can help you achieve them! You can earn a Voorhees University degree without going to Denmark, SC. We offer several options for off-campus learning at either our Summerville, SC or Augusta, GA sites. Our off-campus sites meet the needs of present-day workers and adult learners across the state, region, and nation who wish to begin, continue, complete, or enhance their development on a part-time or full-time basis.
Become a Voorhees University Tiger!
Because of our flexible schedule and online format, Voorhees University makes it possible for you to earn your degree outside of the traditional college experience. Our online courses serve all types of students whether it be adult students pursuing their degrees later in life, students currently serving in the military or their dependents, or new students entering college for the first time who just enjoy the online learning environment. We even provide the opportunity to earn prior learning credit for past military service and professional work experiences.
Choose From Our Many Online College Degree Programs
- Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Sports Management
- Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB)
- Certificate in Organizational Management (COM)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Sports Management
Online Certificate Programs at Voorhees University
- Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB)
- Certificate in Organizational Management (COM)
Department Faculty
Dr. Toshome Tadesse
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Office Location: Bedford Hall
Room: #4
(803) 780-1161
Area of Specialty: Sociology
ttadesse@voorhees.edu
Dr. Sybil Johnson
Title
Office Location: Matthew A. Golson Humanities, Education, and Fine Arts Building
Room #: 122
Office Number: (803) 780-1065
Area of Specialty: Communications and Theater
sjohnson@voorhees.edu
Dr. Samuel Ritchie
Title
Office Location: Matthew A. Golson Humanities, Education, and Fine Arts Building
Room #: 107
Office Number: (803) 780-1175
Area of Specialty: History
sritchie@voorhees.edu
Dr. Jonathan McCormick
Title
Office Location: Matthew A. Golson Humanities, Education, and Fine Arts Building
Room #: 106
Office Number: (803) 780-1172
Area of Specialty: Psychology
jmccormick@voorhees.edu
Dr. Bennie James
Title
Office Location: Matthew A. Golson Humanities, Education, and Fine Arts Building
Room #: 103
Office Number: (803) 780-1176
Area of Specialty: Theology
bjames@voorhees.edu
Dr. Garene Garene
Title
Office Location: Matthew A. Golson Humanities, Education, and Fine Arts Building
Room #: 137
Office Number: (803) 780-1165
Area of Specialty: Foreign Language (Spanish and French)
ggarene@voorhees.edu
Fred Davis
Title
Office Location: Matthew A. Golson Humanities, Education, and Fine Arts Building
Room #: 136
Office Number: (803) 780-1164
Area of Specialty: Journalism and Communication
fdavis@voorhees.edu
