May 09, 2025  
2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025] 
    
2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025]

College of Humanities and Social Sciences


Person IconDean
Jean Boreen – BC 306C
Advisor IconStudent Success Advisors
Person IconAssociate Dean
Grant Corser – BC 306B
Website IconWebsite
Person IconBusiness Manager
Deena Marchal – BC 306D
 
 

Mission

Southern Utah University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences equips students to understand their responsibilities and enrich their opportunities in a changing world. HSS programs and courses help to develop the knowledge, skills, habits, and values needed to empower our students as engaged citizens. The College prepares students for life in a democratic society, for success in their careers of choice, and for roles as productive leaders wherever they serve. This is accomplished through superior teaching, providing experiential opportunities, and affording educational activities that promote and encourage critical and creative thinking. Because it is essential to the educational process, the College maintains a community of learners wherein collaboration, civility, respect for all people, and shared governance are cultivated. HSS provides the individual freedom for students to find and follow the passion that will allow them to excel in their careers and within their communities.

Vision

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will receive national recognition because it contributes to the intellectual growth of students and transforms lives. We will cultivate an awareness and an appreciation of diverse cultural values and aspirations by emphasizing a broad base of knowledge that is essential for professional expertise. Our living curriculum promotes critical and interdisciplinary thinking, effective communication skills through writing and oral presentation, creativity, and an interest in thoughtful civic engagement.

Strategic Priorities

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will support Southern Utah University’s Strategic Priorities by

  • Creating innovative programs that address global trends and issues, accommodate traditional and non-traditional students, and respond to workforce trends and opportunities.
  • Continually integrating contemporary technology into the academic and administrative routines of the College.
  • Maintaining accreditation in those disciplines which have achieved such status and acquiring accreditation in those programs whose academic standards merit such recognition.
  • Developing and supporting innovative and effective teaching practices and pedagogical approaches to enrich the student academic experience.
  • Providing effective academic support, professional development, and co-curricular programs that create opportunities for students to: benefit from the guidance of caring, competent, and visionary professionals; benefit from increased access and affordability; graduate in a timely fashion; be competitive for graduate school programs in their chosen professional fields; participate in increasing supported internships; and learn to communicate effectively with persons from varied backgrounds.
  • Securing external funds to operate world class programs through a variety of research, grants, and fund-development activities.
  • Recruiting traditional and non-traditional students whose academic, co-curricular, and other experiences fit well with College of Humanities and Social Sciences programs.
  • Cultivating a culture of caring that supports students, faculty and staff.
  • Developing strategic alliances with school systems, community colleges, other four-year institutions, corporate affiliates, local businesses, civic and social organizations, alumni groups, and a variety of other constituencies.
  • Identifying community resources to support and enrich the student learning experience.
  • Providing professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators.
  • Utilizing contemporary communicative strategies and vehicles to market the College’s programs.
  • Employing a participatory style of governance that invites input from faculty, staff, administrators, students in general, and student leadership groups, advisory boards, alumni, parents, community partners, and other constituencies.

Departments, Programs, & Centers

Department of Communication

Go to information for Department of Communication.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Academic Certificate (Undergraduate)

Minor

Master’s Degree

Department of English

Go to information for Department of English.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Academic Certificate (Undergraduate)

Minor

Department of History, Sociology, and Anthropology

Go to information for Department of History, Sociology, and Anthropology.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Minor

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Go to information for Department of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Programs

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Academic Certificate (Undergraduate)

Minor

Master’s Degree

Department of Languages and Philosophy

Go to information for Department of Languages and Philosophy.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Minor

Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice

Go to information for Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Academic Certificate (Undergraduate)

Minor

Master’s Degree

Additional Focused Coursework

Department of Psychology

Go to information for Department of Psychology.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Academic Certificate (Undergraduate)

Minor

Doctoral Degree

Centers

Other Information

Academic Probation Policy for HSS Graduate Programs

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is committed to fostering the academic success of its graduate students. As part of that commitment, students are expected to maintain good standing throughout their graduate studies in order to be successful following graduation. It is for that reason that the following Academic Probation Policy is being implemented as a standard to assist graduate students as they progress through their academic studies and help them maintain good academic standing.

Academic Standards

In order to remain in good academic standing, a graduate student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of no less than 3.0 through the duration of their graduate studies. Graduate students must also maintain a semester GPA of 3.0 or better to remain in Good Standing. Graduate students must receive the equivalent of a “B-“ or better in all coursework. For purposes of this policy, a “Semester” is equivalent to two (2) Sessions of accelerated program courses. Graduate students who are suspended from school for academic reasons in accordance with this policy may appeal the decision in accordance with Graduate Council Policies.

Academic Standing: GPA

Academic Standing is based on a graduate student’s semester and cumulative GPA as follows:

Beginning Semester Standing Semester GPA Cumulative GPA Ending Semester Standing
Good Standing ≥ 3.0 ≥ 3.0 Good Standing
Warning (WA) < 3.0 ≥ 3.0 Probation Level 1 (P1)
≥ 3.0 < 3.0
< 3.0 < 3.0
Probation Level 1 (P1) < 3.0 ≥ 3.0 Probation Level 2 (P2)
≥ 3.0 < 3.0
< 3.0 < 3.0
Probation Level 1 (P2) < 3.0 < 3.0 Required to Withdraw (RW)

Note: If a student transfers credit to Southern Utah University or is admitted on a provisional basis, they must attain at least a minimum 3.0 GPA before the end of their first semester. If they fail to do so, they will be required to withdraw from the graduate program.

Academic Standing: Grades for Coursework

Academic Standing is also based on a graduate student’s earned grade at the end of each semester as follows:

Beginning Semester Standing Semester Grade Cumulative GPA Ending Semester Standing
Good Standing ≥ B- > 3.0 Good Standing
Warning (WA) ≤ B- > 3.0 Probation Level 1 (P1)
≥ B- < 3.0
≤ B- < 3.0
Probation Level 1 (P1) ≤ B- > 3.0 Probation Level 2 (P2)
≥ B- < 3.0
≤ B- < 3.0
Probation Level 2 (P2) ≤ B- < 3.0 Required to Withdraw (RW)

A graduate student who is in a Warning or Probationary status for receiving a grade less than a “B-” in any given semester will be required to repeat the course in order to receive institutional credit for that course. They should consult their academic advisor immediately to re-work a graduation plan sufficient to put them back on track for graduation and discuss all options available in order to achieve good academic standing.

If a graduate student has been Required to Withdraw from a graduate program, they will not be permitted to enroll in courses for that program upon admission to another graduate program.

If a graduate student leaves the University while on probation, they will remain on probation when they return – even if in the meantime they have attended another institution. While on probation, students may be ineligible to receive financial aid and there may be restrictions pursuant to SUU policy. For more information on these restrictions, contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Archaeology Repository & National Project Archaeology

The repository serves as the only official facility in Southwestern Utah to curate archaeologically recovered cultural artifacts from Federal and State lands in Utah and Northern Arizona. Located on the first level of the Electronic Learning Center, the repository houses artifacts culturally affiliated with the Puebloan groups, specifically the Virgin Anasazi and Fremont cultures, as well as prehistoric and historic Southern Paiute materials, and European-American historic artifacts. The collections are primarily the result of survey and excavation work conducted on lands administered by the Utah and Arizona Strip Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, Utah State Lands, and some private lands, by private contractors, the federal and state agencies, and the SUU Archaeology Field Schools. The repository is open by appointment.

Person IconCurator
Barbara Frank – EVT 225 – (435) 586-7870

The state office for Project Archaeology (PA) is located within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This is the hub for all PA educator workshops, youth camps, and professional development throughout Utah. Project Archaeology is a national heritage education program jointly managed by Southern Utah University and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the benefit of K-12 educators, archaeologists, museum and park educators, and all those they teach. The program began in Utah in 1990 as a statewide project to combat the vandalism and looting of archaeological sites. It has since become a national network of archaeologists, educators, and concerned citizens working to make archaeology education accessible to students and teachers nationwide through high-quality educational materials and professional development. The national office has produced a number of curriculum guides, including the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)-endorsed Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter, a supplementary science and social studies curriculum unit for grades 3 through 5. Project Archaeology uses archaeological inquiry to foster understanding of past and present cultures, improve social studies and science education, and enhance citizenship education to help preserve our archaeological legacy.

Person IconState Coordinator and National Director
Samantha Kirkley – ELC 103 – (801) 318- 9458

Internships

Internships significantly enhance career opportunities for students. Excellent internship opportunities are available for students in most disciplines of the College. Interns can gain valuable and practical educational experience, academic credit, and often financial compensation through their internships. Students interested in internships should contact the appropriate academic department, the Career and Professional Development Center, the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service, or the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative.

Scholarships

Academic scholarships are available for students and can be applied for. College and department scholarships are available for students who demonstrate strong academic and leadership potential in the humanities and social sciences. Students seeking scholarships must submit applications by February 1st to qualify for the subsequent academic year. Interested students should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Student Organizations

Great experiences are available to students who participate in one of the excellent college student organizations. Among the many student organizations, the following are of particular interest to majors in the humanities and social sciences:

  • Alfa Ioda Sigma
  • Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology)
  • Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice)
  • Anthropology Club
  • Arabic Club
  • French Club
  • German Club
  • Health Care in Spanish
  • Legal Studies Student Association
  • Omicron Delta Kappa
  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Phi Sigma Tau (Philosophy)
  • Philosophy Club
  • Pi Alpha Alpha (MPA)
  • Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science)
  • Psi Chi (Psychology)
  • Psychology Club
  • Public Relations Student Society of America (Communication)
  • Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish)
  • Sigma Tau Delta (English)
  • Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi
  • Society for Sports Management