123 credits required for graduation

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Aging Services is an inter-disciplinary program for students interested in careers in the social services including jobs in the non-profit, private for-profit and government sectors.  Students will be prepared to work with a wide demographic range from children and adolescents to the elderly.  The degree also serves as a good foundation for those interested in a graduate degrees in social work or related fields.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (60 hours)

The primary objective of the general education requirements is to guarantee that all students seeking a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Aging Services (BS) degree will share a common body of knowledge drawn from a broad spectrum of subject areas.

Additional Requirements (3 hours)

The physical education requirement is comprised of one credit hour of Wellness and two credit hours of additional Physical Education courses.

Legislative Requirements

Georgia law requires that each candidate for a degree demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitution on the United States and Georgia.  These requirements may be met by receiving a passing grade in certain courses, or by passing the appropriate examination.  the courses and the requirement(s) each course satisfies are as follows:

1. HIST 2111  or HIST 2112  satisfies the Georgia and U.S. history requirement (if taken at a University System of Georgia institution).
2. POLS 1101   satisfies the Georgia and U.S. Constitution requirement (if taken at a University System of Georgia institution).
3. Students with transfer credit (HIST 2111 , HIST 2112  or POLS 1101 ) from outside the University System of Georgia will need to contact the Testing Center regarding the legislative exams requirements.

Major Requirements (60 hours)

The major requirements consist of both required and elective courses.  The required courses are designed to ensure that all students receiving the BS Human Development and Aging Services will share a common set of learning experiences toward achievement of the Program Outcome Goals. Elective courses give students an opportunity to explore topics of interest at an advanced level.

Program Outcome Goals

Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Aging Services

Students in the Human Development and Aging Services will be able to:

1. Communicate social service and human development issues to wide-ranging audiences in both written and oral format.
2. Cultivate critical thinking skills related to social service and human development delivery, improvement, and implementation.
3. Apply social science research methods to examine scientific questions and to collect, interpret, and analyze data to address social inequality as it relates to social services.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the disciplines associated with social services and human development.
5. Obtain the ability to work in diverse settings with vulnerable populations.
6. Develop an understanding of the ethical standards for social service professionals.
7. Demonstrate the ability to work with individuals across the life course and specifically the aging population.