Human & Community Service, B.A.
Receive education and training to provide services, advocacy and care to diverse populations through a variety of human service organizations
The major provides graduates with the knowledge, skills and experiences required to successfully serve clients through a variety of public outreach organizations.
You receive training to work one-on-one with individuals as well as small groups and families to help them tackle challenges in their lives, often by connecting them with the appropriate service organizations. You also receive training to work with community organizations to accomplish more structural or systemic goals that may relate to social, economic, political, cultural and/or environmental issues.
The curriculum combines classroom and experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for entry level human services jobs and/or to pursue graduate degrees in the human services field. Students completing the program are prepared to pursue master's degrees in social work, counseling, human services and other related fields.
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Outside the ClassroomÌý
The Human and Community Service major includes a capstone experience. Through a required internship, you can select from a wide array of organizations and service providers to gain invaluable work experience, learning directly from professionals in the field.
You can choose the population groups that you would like to work with, e.g. children, youth and teens, adults and/or seniors, as well as the service areas you are passionate about such as mental health services, social services, children’s advocacy, women’s services, social welfare, public health and safety and other non-profits organizations.
Previous students in the program have completed internships with the Department of Social Services, Women's Resource Center, Council on Adolescents, Cooperative Christian Ministries, and many others.
Career OpportunitiesÌý
The major prepares you for entry or near-entry level professional positions in the fields of human services, law enforcement, child care administration and similar occupations.
The program provides you with the skills and dispositions needed to serve clients in a variety of public and non-profit outreach organizations. Graduates will work alongside social workers, healthcare providers and other specialists supporting persons in need.
Major Requirements
The Human and Community Service major provides graduates with knowledge, skills, and experiences to prepare them for working in human service professions. Students are educated to work with individuals, small groups (such as families), individuals needing help in other groups (work organizations, for example), and with community organizations to accomplish more structural or systemic (social, economic, political, recreational, etc.) goals. The Human and Community Service major earns a B.A. degree. Internships require daytime availability.-
General Education Requirements (37 hours)
ÌýGraduation Requirements (4 hours)
General Education RequirementsÌý
- Technical Requirements (3 Hours)
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Major Requirements (40 Hours)
- HCS 220Ìý-ÌýConcepts in Human and Community Service
- HCS 250GÌý-ÌýMulticultural Perspectives
- HCS 304Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Social Work in Human Service Agencies
- HCS 318Ìý-ÌýCommunity Studies
- HCS 320Ìý-ÌýApplications of Human and Community Service
- HCS 457Ìý-ÌýInternship in Human and Community Service
- PSY 100Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Psychology
- SOC 100Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to Sociology
- SOC 200Ìý-ÌýSocial Problems
- PSY 351Ìý-ÌýResearch Methods I Non-experimental Methods
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- SOC 320Ìý-ÌýResearch Methods in Sociology
Choose Three Courses from the Following- HCS 383Ìý-ÌýSpecial Topics
- PSY 253Ìý-ÌýPersonality
- PSY 320Ìý-ÌýLifespan Development
- PSY 328Ìý-ÌýHealth Psychology
- PSY 332Ìý-ÌýAbnormal Psychology
- PSY 434Ìý-ÌýCounseling Theories
- SOC 201Ìý-ÌýSocial Psychology
- SOC 207Ìý-ÌýMarriage and Family
- SOC 212Ìý-ÌýAging and Society
- SOC 233Ìý-ÌýCriminology
- SOC 340Ìý-ÌýSociology of Gender and Sexuality
- SOC 345GÌý-ÌýGlobal Inequality
- SOC 379Ìý-ÌýEnvironment and Society
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General Elective Credits
General Electives (36 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
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Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours
On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General EducationÌýrequirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.
All bachelor's degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120Ìýhours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120Ìýhours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.
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News & Events

Lenoir-Rhyne will honor the Class of 2025 with commencement ceremonies in Columbia on May 8, Hickory on May 9 and Asheville on May 10.
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Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ is saddened by the news of the Limestone University and St. Andrews University closures. LR is dedicated to providing a path forward for affected students.
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