Humanities for Public Service Major
Why Study Humanities for Public Service at Virginia Tech?
Virginia Tech is the only university in the world with a major in Humanities for Public Service. And that makes sense, with a student body and faculty dedicated to the motto Ut Prosim (“That I may serve”) and a commitment to its land-grant mission. The major combines the best of both worlds – rigorous academics and real world experience through an internship or service learning experience.
1
Only Program of its Kind in the World
22
Average Class Size
8
Disciplines Covered by Our Faculty
Timothy Miles, '19
Mentorship with faculty in religion and culture and Arabic shaped Timothy’s Virginia Tech experience. His participation in undergraduate research and a study abroad trip to Oman provided transformative opportunities leading him to serve with the Peace Corps as a youth-in-development specialist in Morocco, where he will work with women empowerment initiatives through education and community outreach. (Photo by Christina Franusich/Virginia Tech)
Careers and Further Study
What Can You Do with a major in Humanities for Public Service?
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Tech / Software Development
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Planning and Policy
- Law
- Medicine
- Sustainable development
- Diplomacy / Foreign Service
- Education / Teaching
- Journalism
- Military
- Law / Politics
- Public Relations
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
In a competitive job market, experience is valuable. Internships provide you with practical skills and real world perspective regarding your chosen career field while giving you the opportunity to explore the possibilities for the future.
The Humanities for Public Service major requires completion of a Field Study that will give you just this real world experience.
Theta Alpha Kappa, a national honor society, is housed within our department. This prestigious opportunity provides access to scholarships, publications, and networking.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to connect with a different culture, experience new ways of thinking, and explore new places, all while gaining unique understandings and perspectives. Check out programs by visiting the study abroad page below or by searching the Global Education Office's programs.
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Curriculum
What You'll Study
Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Culture Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
Humanities for Public Service Major Requirements
- Intro to Appalachian Studies
- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
- Religion in the Modern World
- The Creative Process
- Race and Gender in Religion & Culture
- Multicultural Communication
- Theories of Popular Culture
- Internship or Service-Learning
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. Religion and Culture
45 hrs
General Education
45 hrs
Major Requirements
30 hrs
Elective
Campus Life
Campus Life
Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.