College of Humanities and Social Sciences
In the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, we are proud to offer a range of degree programs to help you develop skills and knowledge in your area of interest. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is home to the majority of undergraduate general education coursework at Grand Canyon University (GCU) and is committed to helping you advance your ability to think critically, apply analytical constructs and communicate complex ideas clearly.
The Mission of GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU promotes research, creativity, ethical formation and inquiry through critical, analytic and interdisciplinary study. Our college’s mission cultivates leaders in various fields of study through critical thinking and applied experience, linking theoretical foundations with practical application, which can prepare you for today’s diverse and evolving workplace.
Types of Humanities and Social Science Majors
Our college of social science degree programs offer insight into the many facets of human behavior. Courses in areas such as psychology and sociology can help you develop skills related to individual and group motivation that may be valued in the workplace. Our degree programs range from online counseling degrees to psychology degrees to human services degrees that include majors in communications, history and behavioral health science. Check out the variety of humanities and social science degrees that GCU has to offer.
Loading Degree Programs
GCU’s humanities and social sciences degree programs are designed for students who are continuously searching for knowledge and the understanding of the human condition. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences courses teach important skills in innovative thinking, effective communication, transformative leadership and global contribution that can prepare students for their career paths.
- Admission Requirements: Learn more about what GCU’s admissions requirements are, as well as the application steps to take for admission into a campus or an online degree program.
- Tuition, Financing and Scholarships: GCU offers different tuition rates and fees for on-campus and online programs, as well as scholarship opportunities to help make paying for college easier. Find out more about the options available to you.
At GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, our degree programs are offered on campus, online and/or through evening classes so you can pursue your education on a schedule that fits for you. No matter what modality you choose, you will have access to knowledgeable faculty, resources and support throughout your program.
Minor Degrees for Humanities and Social Sciences
You will have the opportunity to build skills in your chosen field by earning a humanities and social science minor along with your traditional degree. The additional humanities and social sciences courses can help you build skill sets that may add even more value to your education.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences FAQs
To learn more about humanities and social science degrees, read through our answers to these frequently asked questions.
Integration of GCU’s Christian Identity in Curriculum
The curriculum in the humanities and social science degree programs help facilitate in-depth discussions that can help you sharpen your focus and teamwork skills. GCU’s One Foundation, our Christian worldview, supports the development of a servant leadership spirit and ethical decision-making abilities, so you have the opportunity to become a balanced, global contributor.
At the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, we make a strong connection between many disciplines’ professional code of ethics and Christian ethics. In our math courses there are opportunities to directly apply Christian principles to various assignments. For example, in MAT-144 students apply math competencies to the design and implementation of a mission trip.
Another way our faculty engage around GCU’s Christian worldview is by posting scriptures and asking students to reflect and write about how it relates to them. Some faculty also play Christian music at the start of class and lead class in prayer.
GCU’s mission provides a foundation for students’ formation and development in both their general education classes and in their degree program classes through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Learners contribute to our mission statement through the learning process and their action-oriented experiences such as volunteering, workforce development, student worker positions, practicums, internships, club involvement, student leadership opportunities, attending webinars and conferences, service learning and student research.
Students at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences contribute to GCU's mission through community opportunities, such as Changing Lives Outreach Program where they support individuals and groups through a caring approach to human flourishing with hands-on service. Students can also volunteer with the L.O.P.E.S. Academy by supporting the academic, social and workforce skill development of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, students are exposed to a wide array of needs in society, such as injustice, suffering and poverty. Throughout their studies, they are taught knowledge and skills in helping themselves and others to reach their potential. Our faculty in the behavioral health degree programs teach the necessary elements of wellness to future counselors and social service professionals which can lead to healing among countless individuals. We see healing as a necessary step for the human person to reach their potential.
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Life, Physical and Social Science Occupations as of May 2022, retrieved on May 5, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates in life, physical and social science occupations. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.
2 Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Life, Physical and Social Science Occupations in August 2022