2021-2022
Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Public and Social Service
VCU
Community college:
Associate of Applied Science: Human Services (G3 program) (Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway))
Associate degree
Program description
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies: Public and Social Service pathway combines Sociology and Public Management minors with the BIS core courses. This pathway positions students for careers in Social services and policy advocacy. By combining these two minors with instruction in interdisciplinary methodology, BIS students will understand how to navigate the interplay of societal needs and political bureaucracy. Upon graduation, students will be awarded both the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, and minors in Sociology and Public Management.
Career opportunities
BIS graduates with a focus in Public and Social Service are well prepared to seek employment at social service agencies, hospitals, local and state government agencies, and care facilities.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Community Coordinator
- Daycare Manager
- Human Services Program Specialist
- Residential Program Director
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Social Services Provider
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Attorney
- Higher Education Administrator
- Nonprofit Director
- Researcher
Contact information
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
To be designed in consultation with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
- Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
VCU Major Maps
Transfer major map
2021-2022
Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Public and Social Service
Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Applied Science: Human Services (G3 program))
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Explore | Year 1 |
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
- Cultivate relationships with your professors.
- Register for SDV 100.
- Apply to the Reynolds Pathways Program.
- Explore your eligibility for G3 funding.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend diversity-focused events on campus.
- Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Create LinkedIn profile.
- Get involved with a student or professional organization.
- Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
- Visit career services to begin cultivating your own virtual brand across all social media profiles.
- Browse careers related to public and social services through the Virginia Wizard.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Use SDV 100 to create a weekly and monthly budget.
- Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
- Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing for next year.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend diversity-focused events on campus and in your community (i.e. international festival).
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
- Continue to partner with diversity leader/ facilitator/ mentor to move towards cultural competence.
- Get involved with service-learning opportunities.
- Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
- Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
- Run for leadership in your student organization.
- If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
Recommended courses
2021-2022
Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Public and Social Service
Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Applied Science: Human Services (G3 program))
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDV 100 | College Success Skills | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
| CST 100 | Introduction to Communication | SPCH 121 | 3 | Elective |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| HLT 121 | Introduction to Drug Use and Abuse | HPEX 1XX | 3 | General education (BIS Gen.Ed.) |
| HMS 100 | Introduction to Human Services | UNIV 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 121 | Basic Counseling Skills I | UNIV 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 122 | Basic Counseling Skills II | UNIV 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 141 | Group Dynamics I | TREL 1XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 142 | Group Dynamics II | TREL 1XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 225 | Functional Family Intervention | UNIV 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 226 | Helping Across Cultures | HUMS 3XX | 3 | General education (BIS Gen. Ed.) |
| HMS 227 | The Helper as Change Agent | TREL 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 236 | Gerontology | TREL 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 266 | Counseling Psychology | UNIV 2XX | 3 | Elective |
| HMS 290 | Coordinated Internship in Human Services | UNIV 3XX | 3 | Elective |
| ITE 115 | Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts | INFO 160, 161, 162 | 3 | Elective |
| MEN 101 | Mental Health Skill Training I | UNIV 1XX | 3 | Elective |
| MEN 102 | Mental Health Skill Training II | UNIV 1XX | 3 | Elective |
| MTH 154 | Quantitative Reasoning | MATH 131 | 3 | General education |
| PSY 230 | Developmental Psychology | PSYC 304 | 3 | General education (BIS Gen. Ed.) |
| SOC 200 | Principles of Sociology | SOCY 101 | 3 | General education |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | Select 1: CST 151, CST 152, ENG 241, ENG 242, ENG 243, ENG 244, ENG 251, ENG 252, ENG 253, ENG 254,, PHI 220, REL 231, REL 232 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| Reynolds credits transferred to VCU | 67 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural/Physical Science | Select 1: BIOL 101, BIOL/ENVS 103, CHEM 110, ENVS 201, FRSC 202, INSC 201, PHYS 103 | 3 | General education |
| POLI 310 | Public Policy | 3 | Major |
| POLI 322 | State and Local Government and Politics | 3 | Major |
| POLI 331 | Public Administration | 3 | Major |
| POLI | Public Management Minor Elective courses (select 3): POLI 309, 321, 323, 329, 344, 370, or 493 | 9 | Major |
| SOCY 202 | Foundations of Theory | 3 | Major |
| SOCY | Sociology Minor Elective courses (select 4): any upper-level SOCY or SOCS courses | 12 | Major |
| UNIV 301 | Interdisciplinary Theory and Practice | 3 | Major |
| UNIV 303 | Interdisciplinarity in the Professional World | 3 | Major |
| UNIV 499 | BIS Capstone | 3 | Major |
| Open electives | 8 to 9 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 53 | ||
| Bachelor's degree total | 120 | ||