he Utah Valley University (UVU) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)
seeks to promote student success by offering a rigorous academic experience. This
includes engaged-learning opportunities to help students flourish within their discipline
of study and develop transferable career skills. CHSS respects and honors all cultures
and traditions and works to maintain an inclusive environment that enables diverse
perspectives to flourish. All efforts are based on the college’s firm commitment to
ethical behavior, academic freedom, collaborative decision-making, and responsible
use of public resources. While degrees in the humanities and social sciences are often
overlooked, CHSS maintains that these degrees provide essential tools for healthy
communities and helps students develop both disciplinary knowledge and valuable skills
that can take them anywhere they want to go.
The College of
At-a-glance
students majoring in one of the CHSS degrees
Programs Offered
Psychology is the third-most-common major at UVU, with 1,800 students in 2021
of students are non-traditional
of CHSS students work during the semester
of students are minorities
of UVU students are first-generation
94% of students are satisfied with their experience within the college
inclusion / diversity-related courses offered by CHSS in spring 2022
departments that make up CHSS
CHSS supports a culture of scholarship and professional accomplishment for students and college personnel, and it endeavors to foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Graduates from CHSS gain comprehensive disciplinary knowledge and learn critical skills that aid both their professional and personal development as well as promoting civic engagement. CHSS firmly believes that a degree from their college is a “degree to anywhere.” With a wide offering of degrees and certificates, the college offers students a rigorous academic experience that will help them develop transformative and transferable career skills.
CHSS provides general education courses and major courses designed specifically to help students develop discipline-specific knowledge and robust intellectual skills. Students who obtain a CHSS degree graduate as individuals prepared for further research and conversations within their field. These degrees enable students to change the world by providing foundational knowledge of history, political science, psychology, languages and cultures. Becoming familiar with these topics helps students approach current issues and problems with innovative and thoughtful solutions.
With over 5,000 students enrolled in degree programs and over 25,000 students enrolled in CHSS courses each semester, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is one of the largest at Utah Valley University. CHSS aims to provide additional support to its students by alleviating the financial burden of higher education through scholarships. CHSS also seeks funding for more engaged learning opportunities for current students, including internships, studies abroad, and research. These experiences help students apply the knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom to the world beyond.
1 Support Student Scholarships to Ensure Completion
2 Fund Engaged Learning Opportunities for Students
3 Secure Funding for a Mental Health Clinic
In fall 2021, CHSS saw a record number of students apply for financial assistance through completion, undergraduate, and graduate scholarships; however, with limited funding, the college could only award 1.4% of those applicants with scholarship funding. UVU’s Non-Returning Student Survey found that financial barriers are among the most common reasons that students do not complete their education at UVU
Completion Scholarships
Completion scholarships help undergraduate students in the college who have over 90 credits and who need additional financial assistance to complete the remainder of their courses for graduation.
These scholarships receive funding in part from the proceeds of the annual, college-sponsored conference in addition to donations from generous individuals. Awards vary depending on the pool of applicants and available funds. An increased budget would allow CHSS to award more completion scholarships to help students who are almost finished with their degrees cross the finish line.
Graduate Student Therapists
Students in CHSS graduate programs have a profound impact on the community even while in school, but they often find it difficult to work and earn money because of the many clinical practicum hours required. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is specifically looking to increase support for graduate students studying clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work.
Graduate therapist internships help students who meet a specified GPA threshold, demonstrate a need for financial assistance, and are active in one of the college's graduate programs. In fall 2021, the college had 45 graduate students apply for therapist internships; however, the college only had funding available to award financial aid to 11 applicants. By increasing funding for therapist internships, more graduate students would be able to focus on their studies and helping the community without worrying about financial hardships.
CHSS provides an abundance of opportunities for students to expand their education through engaged learning experiences. These can range from internships and research to study abroad and domestic multicultural experiences.
Students in the college develop important skills, including persuasive written and oral communication, creative problem solving, data collection, teamwork, decision making, and critical analysis. By participating in engaged learning opportunities outside of the classroom, CHSS students are able to put their knowledge to work in new and exciting ways.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is seeking funding to support and expand opportunities for internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, domestic multicultural experiences, and student-run journals. As the college is able to provide more of these opportunities, students will learn to excel not only in the classroom but in the world after graduation.
At the UVU Community Mental Health Clinic, CHSS graduate students, under the supervision of licensed professionals, provide counseling to community members — typically the uninsured or underinsured. These graduate students are enrolled in one of the three CHSS mental health degree programs, and they are dedicated to providing exceptional care to every patient who walks through the clinic doors.
The clinic provides counseling for individuals, couples, and families. This not only benefits the students who are pursuing careers in mental health professions to gain hands-on experience, but it also provides care that benefits the individuals and families that comprise the community.
CHSS is currently seeking a donor to attach their name to the UVU Community Mental Health Clinic. This unique opportunity gives donors a chance to support the advancement of future mental health professionals and sustain the positive impact the clinic is having on the community. This gift would leave a lasting legacy for generations.
We are seeking an $5.0M endowment to address:
“I'm so sincerely thankful for [the completion scholarship]! I'm in a tough spot in my life right now, but I want to persevere and finish my degree. As a single mom, I want to show my son the importance of education and that I did everything I could to complete my degree through all of the hardships. I couldn't have imagined the struggles I've recently gone through since the pandemic, but I know I'm not alone. Many women struggle every day. Although I'm raising my son alone, I hope to continue to show up for him by being the best version of myself I can be. I want to raise him to care about social issues and education. I'm excited to use my degree to edit, write, and teach. I want to make a difference in my community, specifically to empower teenagers to express their feelings through writing.”
Melissa Girot '22, English, Recipient of CHSS completion scholarship
By sharing your means, you will enrich the lives of students. Student scholarships, engaged learning opportunities, and support for the UVU Community Mental Health Clinic can make completing and utilizing a degree possible for thousands of CHSS students. Together, we have the ability to transform students’ lives.
