Bachelor of Science Human Services (BS)
Kristy Carlisle, Undergraduate Program Director
Chaniece Winfield, Online Program Coordinator
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in human services prepares students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of community service settings. Students in the program learn the roles and functions of the human service profession; characteristics of human growth and development; personal, social, and environmental factors affecting individual development; characteristics of human service agencies; theories and skills of human services; and how ethical issues, legal issues, and multicultural issues affect the work of the human service profession. Graduates are prepared to assist clients in coping successfully with developmental tasks of normal growth and in solving problems caused by personal, social, and environmental stress. Graduates may be employed in a wide variety of settings including mental health, disability services, substance abuse, aging/gerontology, domestic violence, child and youth services, correction/criminal justice, health care, recreation/fitness, and vocational rehabilitation.
Admission
Students must have a grade point average of 2.00 or above and have successfully completed ENGL 110C and ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C. A grade of C or better must be earned in ENGL 110C and ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C to meet the undergraduate writing program requirement.
Requirements
All human services majors must satisfy the Bachelor of Science in human services core requirements, major requirements, minor requirements, any applicable electives, and General Education requirements as listed below.
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication Skills: Grade of C or better required in both courses
Mathematical Skills: STAT 130M preferred.
Oral Communication: Satisfied by HMSV 339 in the major.
Upper-Division General Education
Select one option from the following:
- Option A. Approved Disciplinary Minor (a minimum of 12 hours determined by the department) or Second Major or Second Degree
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor (specifically 12 hours, 3 of which may be in the major)
- Option C. An approved Certification Program such as teaching licensure
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Education and Professional Studies and not required by the major (6 hours)
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Human Services Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Human Services | ||
| HMSV 339 | Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| HMSV 341 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 |
| HMSV 343 | Human Services Methods | 3 |
| HMSV 344 | Career Development and Appraisal | 3 |
| HMSV 346 | Diversity Issues in Human Services | 3 |
| HMSV 368 | Case Management & Crisis Techniques through Field Observation | 3 |
| HMSV 440W | Program Development, Implementation, and Funding | 3 |
| HMSV 444 | Psycho-educational Groups | 3 |
| HMSV 449 | Crisis Intervention, Prevention and Ethics | 3 |
| HMSV 491 | Family Guidance | 3 |
| HMSV 468 | Internship in Human Services | 12 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Substance Abuse * | ||
| Interventions and Advocacy with Children | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Substance Abuse Treatment and Research * | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Human Services and Non-Profit Fundraising * | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 92-98 | |
- *
For students pursuing credentialing as a CSAC or CADC following graduation, HMSV 447 must be taken as the HMSV elective. Additionally, HMSV 452 must be selected as part of the required curriculum instead of HMSV 494. Please see the section below on Substance Abuse Course Sequence for additional information.
Electives
Elective credit will be needed to meet the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
Additional Requirements and Information
A one-semester, unpaid internship (HMSV 468) is required after all other General Education courses, core courses, major courses, and minor courses are completed. Students are not to take any other courses when enrolled in the internship. Requirements for the internship include a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major and minor. Students must earn a grade of C (2.00) or better in all HMSV courses before taking the internship.
Students' prior coursework will be evaluated by an advisor at the time of admission to the program. Following admission, students must obtain permission from an authorized faculty advisor before registering. Students should obtain a curriculum sheet from the Human Services website http://education.odu.edu/chs/academics/human_services/ or from their academic advisor to assist in making course selections. Students must adhere to all course prerequisites and corequisites as stated in the course descriptions and on the curriculum sheets.
Human Services Double Major Options
Human services majors can elect to double major in the areas listed below. Combining interest areas between two majors allows more versatility for students' future through enhanced opportunities to pursue graduate school and strengthening employability. In addition, several of these double major opportunities include specialized certificates to further demonstrate students' commitment and leadership in their field of choice.
Human Services and Sociology
The Department of Counseling and Human Services and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice have created an opportunity for undergraduate students to major in both human services and sociology. Both majors can be earned within the 120 credit hours required for an undergraduate degree. Within this double major, students have an opportunity to pursue a certificate in addiction prevention and treatment. Students who select the addiction prevention and treatment option will graduate with a certificate in addiction prevention and treatment.
Human Services and Criminal Justice
The Department of Counseling and Human Services and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice have created an opportunity for undergraduate students to major in both human services and criminal justice. Both majors can be earned within the 120 credit hours required for an undergraduate degree. Within this double major, students have an opportunity to pursue a certificate in addiction prevention and treatment. Students who select the addiction prevention and treatment option will graduate with a certificate in addiction prevention and treatment.
Human Services and Interdisciplinary Studies - Leadership
The Department of Counseling and Human Services and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies have created an opportunity for undergraduate students to major in both human services and interdisciplinary studies-leadership. Both majors can be earned within the 120 credit hours required for an undergraduate degree. Within this double major, students will be exposed to a number of fields of study to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of leadership, professional writing, and technology, while engaging in human services coursework. In addition, students may pursue two specialized certificates within the double major – addiction prevention and treatment and professional leadership.
Students interested in these double major options should contact the Human Services Director for more information, HMSVupd@odu.edu.
Departmental Honors
Students may earn the designation of departmental honors on their diplomas by completing the minimum University standards for honors designation in addition to the human services program standards. Specifically, the standards are:
-
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
-
Minimum major GPA of 3.5.
-
Completion of at least two 300-400 level courses designated by the department to be honors courses.
-
Completion of at least 60 credit hours at Old Dominion University, 54 of which must be in grade-point graded courses.
-
Completion of a scholarly experience such as a research project with a human services faculty mentor. HMSV 397 Independent Study: Guided Research in Human Services can be taken as an elective course and will qualify as a scholarly experience. Students enrolled in this course may conduct individual or group projects focused on research, literature review, or methodology development. All work is conducted under the supervision and evaluation of a program faculty member. Please contact Dr. Kristy Carlisle, kcarlisl@odu.edu, for more information regarding this course.
Contact the program director, Dr. Kristy Carlisle kcarlisl@odu.edu for more information about this opportunity.
Substance Abuse Course Sequence
For those wishing to pursue credentialing as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), the following must be completed: all HMSV degree requirements (core requirements, major requirements, minor requirements, any applicable electives, and General Education requirements) with the selection of HMSV 447 and HMSV 452 as required human services electives. Additionally, HMSV 468 (Internship) is recommended to be in a substance abuse treatment setting.
- Human Services
- Double Major - Human Services & Criminal Justice - Addiction Prevention and Treatment Certificate
- Double Major - Human Services & Interdisciplinary Studies, Leadership Major
- Double Major - Human Services & Sociology - Addiction Prevention and Treatment Certificate
- Double Major - Human Services & Sociology, Social Welfare Major
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
Human Services
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 201S | Introduction to Sociology (C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematics (STAT 130M preferred) | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 339 | Interpersonal Relations (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 341 | Introduction to Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 343 | Human Services Methods (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Minor or Upper-Division General Education | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 344 | Career Development and Appraisal (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 346 | Diversity Issues in Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 447 or HMSV 448 |
Introduction to Substance Abuse (C or better required) or Interventions and Advocacy with Children |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Minor or Upper-Division General Education | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 440W | Program Development, Implementation, and Funding (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 444 | Psycho-educational Groups (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 452 or HMSV 494 |
Substance Abuse Treatment and Research (C or better required) or Entrepreneurship in Human Services and Non-Profit Fundraising |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| HMSV 368 | Case Management & Crisis Techniques through Field Observation (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 449 | Crisis Intervention, Prevention and Ethics (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 491 | Family Guidance (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HMSV 468 | Internship in Human Services (C or better required) | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Double Major - Human Services & Criminal Justice - Addiction Prevention and Treatment Certificate
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 201S | Introduction to Sociology (C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematics (STAT 130M preferred) | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 339 | Interpersonal Relations (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 341 | Introduction to Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| CRJS 262 | Law and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| HMSV 343 | Human Services Methods (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| SOC 337 | Social Research Methods | 3 |
| HMSV 344 | Career Development and Appraisal (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 346 or SOC 320 |
Diversity Issues in Human Services (C or better required) or Social Inequality |
3 |
| HMSV 447 or HMSV 448 |
Introduction to Substance Abuse (C or better required) or Interventions and Advocacy with Children |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| CRJS 426W | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| HMSV 440W | Program Development, Implementation, and Funding (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 444 | Psycho-educational Groups (C or better required) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Substance Abuse Treatment and Research | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Human Services and Non-Profit Fundraising | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Sociology/Criminal Justice | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CRJS 436 | Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| HMSV 368 | Case Management & Crisis Techniques through Field Observation (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 449 | Crisis Intervention, Prevention and Ethics (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 491 | Family Guidance (C or better required) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HMSV 468 | Internship in Human Services (C or better required) | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Double Major - Human Services & Interdisciplinary Studies, Leadership Major
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 201S | Introduction to Sociology (C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematics (STAT 130M preferred) | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| HMSV 339 | Interpersonal Relations (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 341 | Introduction to Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Digital Writing | ||
| IDS Electronic Portfolio Project | ||
| Internship in Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 343 | Human Services Methods (C or better required) | 3 |
| IDS 300W | Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Ethical Leadership Course | 3 | |
| Legal Issues Course | 3 | |
| HMSV 344 | Career Development and Appraisal (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 346 | Diversity Issues in Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 447 or HMSV 448 |
Introduction to Substance Abuse (C or better required) or Interventions and Advocacy with Children |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Communication Skills & Leadership Course | 3 | |
| HMSV 440W | Program Development, Implementation, and Funding (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 444 | Psycho-educational Groups (C or better required) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 494 or IDS 494 |
Entrepreneurship in Human Services and Non-Profit Fundraising or Entrepreneurship in Interdisciplinary Studies |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| HMSV 368 | Case Management & Crisis Techniques through Field Observation (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 449 | Crisis Intervention, Prevention and Ethics (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 491 | Family Guidance (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 452 | Substance Abuse Treatment and Research | 3 |
| Legal Issues Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HMSV 468 | Internship in Human Services (C or better required) | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Double Major - Human Services & Sociology - Addiction Prevention and Treatment Certificate
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 201S | Introduction to Sociology (C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematics (STAT 130M preferred) | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| SOC 337 | Social Research Methods | 3 |
| HMSV 339 | Interpersonal Relations (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 341 | Introduction to Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| SOC 426 | Minority Group Relations | 3 |
| HMSV 343 | Human Services Methods (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SOC Elective | 3 | |
| HMSV 344 | Career Development and Appraisal (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 346 | Diversity Issues in Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 447 | Introduction to Substance Abuse (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 409W | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HMSV 440W | Program Development, Implementation, and Funding (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 444 | Psycho-educational Groups (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 494 or SOC 494 |
Entrepreneurship in Human Services and Non-Profit Fundraising or Entrepreneurship in Sociology/Criminal Justice |
3 |
| SOC Elective | 3 | |
| SOC Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SOC 436 | Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| HMSV 368 | Case Management & Crisis Techniques through Field Observation (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 449 | Crisis Intervention, Prevention and Ethics (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 491 | Family Guidance (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC Elective | 1 | |
| HMSV 452 | Substance Abuse Treatment and Research | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HMSV 468 | Internship in Human Services (C or better required) | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Double Major - Human Services & Sociology, Social Welfare Major
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 201S | Introduction to Sociology (C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematics (STAT 130M preferred) | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Foreign Language (if required) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| SOC 337 | Social Research Methods | 3 |
| HMSV 339 | Interpersonal Relations (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 341 | Introduction to Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Nature of Science | 4 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| HMSV 343 | Human Services Methods (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 320 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 325 | Social Welfare | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| HMSV 344 | Career Development and Appraisal (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 409W | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| HMSV 346 | Diversity Issues in Human Services (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 448 | Interventions and Advocacy with Children | 3 |
| SOC Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOC 323 | Sociology of Minority Families | 3 |
| SOC 402 | Sociology of Child Welfare | 3 |
| HMSV 440W | Program Development, Implementation, and Funding (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 494 or SOC 494 |
Entrepreneurship in Human Services and Non-Profit Fundraising or Entrepreneurship in Sociology/Criminal Justice |
3 |
| HMSV 444 | Psycho-educational Groups (C or better required) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| HMSV 368 | Case Management & Crisis Techniques through Field Observation (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 436 | Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| HMSV 449 | Crisis Intervention, Prevention and Ethics (C or better required) | 3 |
| HMSV 491 | Family Guidance (C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC 426 | Minority Group Relations | 3 |
| SOC Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HMSV 468 | Internship in Human Services (C or better required) | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.