School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences

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

• 44 hours of General Education courses
• 30 hours of educational core courses
• 32 hours of Child Development courses

• • 12 hours of restrictive electives
  • 6 hours of free electives

 To graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Child Development, 124 semester credit hours are required.

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 related professions such as Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, and Law. 

A major in Criminal Justice requires

• 44 hours in General Education
• 37 hours in Criminal Justice Major Core Courses
• 24 hours in Social Science Core Courses
• 9 restrictive electives
• 6 hours in free electives

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Criminal Justice, 120 semester credit hours are required.

The goals of Interdisciplinary Studies major:

1. Improve the skills of analysis and critical thinking as well as enhance effective communication, research and writing capacity.
2. Engage students and help them to develop self-confidence, self-efficacy, and a passion for learning.
3. Provide an opportunity for in-depth study, explore the connections among different disciplines and areas of study, and effectively communicate the strengths, connections, and applications discovered during the student’s course of study for the degree.

A major in Interdisciplinary Studies requires

• 36 hours in General Education
• 12 hours in Core Courses
• 72 hours in free electives

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, 120 semester credit hours are required.

The goals of the Mass Communication major are to:

1. Aid and assist students to fully comprehend the nature and scope of mass media and its impact on a changing society.
2. Prepare graduates who are independent professional communicators capable of growing and changing to meet the demands of a global society.
3. Serve the College and community by providing knowledge and expertise in the area.

A major in Mass Communication requires

• 44 hours of General Education courses
• 28 hours of Mass Communication core courses
• 42 hours of Interdisciplinary Mass Communication Concentration core courses
• 6 hours of free electives

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Mass Communications, 120 semester credit hours are required.

The goals of the Sociology Major:

1. 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.
2. 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 

• 44 hours in General Education program classes
• 34 hours of Sociology core courses
• 24 hours of Social Science courses
• 15 hours of restricted electives
• 6 hours of general electives.

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Sociology, 123 semester credit hours are required.

The goals of the Theological Studies major are to:

1. Prepare students primarily for graduate or advanced study in Theology and related fields as well as for professional schools;
2. Provide a strong foundation for an effective transition into lay ministry; and
3. Develop critical thinking, empathy, and counseling skills necessary to serve the people of God.

A major in Theological Studies requires

• 36 hours in General Education program classes
• 24 hours of core Theological Studies courses
• 60 hours of free electives

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Theological Studies, 120 semester credit hours are required.

The purpose of the bachelor’s degree program in Psychology at Voorhees University is to provide students with a well-rounded education in psychology that prepares them for a variety of careers and graduate school studies in the field of Psychology. Throughout this program, students will learn and develop critical thinking, communication skills, proficiency in research and methodology, multicultural competence, ethical considerations, professional growth, and lifelong learning. This program allows space for students to declare a minor in any other field that is offered at Voorhees University.

The program offers two track options: a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. These options are differentiated by “Clinical Track” (B.A.) and “Science Track” (B.S.).

The Clinical Track prepares students for work or graduate school in various Clinical Psychology fields, with a focus on therapeutic theories and techniques. Such fields include but are not limited to: School Psychology, Clinical Therapy, Religious Counseling, and more.

The Science Track prepares students for work or graduate school in various other psychological fields, with a focus on psychological research and assessment. Such fields include but are not limited to: Applied Behavioral Analysis, Instructional and Educational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and more.

Curriculum Requirements

1. Successful completion of the degree program, totaling 123 credit hours
   1. 44 credit hours in General Education
   2. 40 credit hours in the Psychology core curriculum
   3. 15 credit hours in the Clinical Track core curriculum, or 12 credit hours in the Science Track core curriculum
   4. 6 restricted elective credit hours (Clinical Track), or 9 restricted elective credit hours (Science Track)
   5. 18 free elective hours
2. GPA of 2.0 or higher
3. Successful completion of 120 Experiential Learning hours, including but not limited to, internships and research projects.
4. Successful completion of the Psychology Major Field Test