Are you passionate about human service programming? Can you see yourself managing a nonprofit organization or spearheading a social advocacy group? Perhaps you’re interested in raising and sustaining funding for worthwhile organizations. Edinboro's B.A. in Human Service and Community Development arms you with the tools necessary to affect social change.
The country needs social scientists who can add value to their community. According
to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for social and community service
managers is projected to grow 18% from now through 2026 -- much faster than the average
for all occupations due to increases in the elderly population and the demand for
substance abuse treatment and mental health and health-related services.
Built on the strong foundation of Edinboro's Sociology Department, this new track gives you training in applied and public sociological practice.
You will develop skills in strategic social planning, policy analysis, community ethnography, community organization, needs assessment and program evaluation.
Under the guidance of expert faculty, you will learn to conduct research, assess and evaluate existing programming, and apply your skills in a variety of settings.
You will graduate ready to make a difference, precipitating social change and creating social good.
Our department creates a genuine space to cultivate our majors’ sociological imaginations as well as the research and professional skills necessary to improve social conditions for themselves and others. Whatever fields our graduates go into, they take a bit of the spirit of our department out into the world, and that is our greatest contribution to society.
This program transcends the boundaries of traditional education and prepares you to engage in the challenges of professional employment, civil society, and public and private life.
As a student, you will:
With a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Community Development, you can have a positive impact on your community. You’ll be prepared to work for a variety of for-profit and nonprofit organizations including federal, state, and local government agencies; advocacy groups; behavioral health centers; adoption and childcare agencies; public and private nursing homes, and addiction treatment facilities.
More specifically, you may serve as one of the following:
- Advocacy specialist
- City planner
- Community organizer
- Data specialist
- Demographer
- Educator
- Fundraiser
- Grant writer
- Human and social service worker
- Human resource specialist
- Program manager
- Volunteer coordinator
Dr. Samuel Claster
Department Chair
281 Dearborn Hall
Email: sclaster@edinboro.edu
Phone: 814-732-1551
Curriculum Sheet Course Sequence
Take charge of your experience. Ask questions, meet our students and professors, and see the campus yourself.