College of Arts and Humanities
Great Texts major

Philosophy, History, Law, and Society

The Department of History, Philosophy, Law, and Society at HCU is designed to develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of history, culture, government, and ability to reason effectively in a global economy and political landscape.

Degrees Offered

  • The Criminal Justice degree is designed to develop basic comprehension of crime, law enforcement, adjudication and corrections in our society. These skills are valuable in a variety of career fields that span the field of criminal justice jobs, from police officers to judges, prosecutors to defense attorneys, probation and parole officers, investigators, and researchers in both the public and private sector.

    Learn more about Criminal Justice at HCU.

  • Family studies will help to prepare you with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the changing dynamics of family life in America today. Courses in this program will help you gain the most current knowledge of demographic trends, theoretical explanations and statistical data about the past, present and future of family life.

    Learn more about Family Studies at HCU.

  • As a core discipline within the liberal arts, the study of humanity’s heritage provides a classic mode of useful learning venues for developing well-trained minds. By examining primary evidence, formulating analytical interpretations, devising rigorous arguments, and anticipating possible rebuttals, our students learn firsthand the “historian’s craft” of reading widely, thinking deeply, reasoning persuasively and communicating clearly.

    Learn more about History at HCU. 

  • The interdisciplinary studies degree is suited for students whose academic or personal goals require that they take courses from a number of different disciplines across the university and who are best served by not majoring in any particular field. HCU’s program offers a wide range of flexibility to choose courses drawing from different disciplines of study.

    Learn more about Interdisciplinary Studies at HCU. 

  • Our Medical Humanities degree is designed to explore medicine, medical care and the health-related professions from a number of perspectives. This is an interdisciplinary academic course of study that guides students through a wide range of learning experiences to better prepare them for vocations in the rapidly expanding healthcare environment.

    Learn more about Medical Humanities at HCU.

  • Our Political Science major is designed to help you understand the big ideas that shaped our nation, the importance of our founding documents, and the way our political system works. The study of Political Science is more than just current events and politics. It’s about formulating a worldview, wanting to be an advocate for change and having the skills to make it happen.

    Learn more about Political Science at HCU. 

  • The meaning of the word “philosophy” is literally “love of wisdom.” That fact is of central importance to HCU’s philosophy department. We aim to make you an ardent lover and pursuer of wisdom by putting you in direct conversation with the greatest philosophic thinkers in history.

    Learn more about Philosophy at HCU. 

  • The Legal Studies degree was designed by real attorneys to provide you with the right mix of classes to give you an edge in your legal education. The program is interdisciplinary, meaning it draws from several related areas of study. Our Legal Studies degree is designed to expose you to various facets of the law so you can develop a more informed decision about your career options, the different fields of practice, and graduate with the skills to help you get there.

    Learn more about Legal Studies at HCU. 

  • Sociology is the study of our human world. Courses in this program will better prepare you to understand how the world we live in works. The social world is a dynamic experience filled with expectations, interactions and rules. It is constantly changing, yet there is so much of our life together that remains consistent through time. When you study sociology, it will help you to make more accurate predictions about how people act when in a variety of social situations.

    Learn more about Sociology at HCU. 

Where to go from here

Developing these essential skills and worldviews while you are enrolled at HCU will prepare you to transition smoothly into a variety of career options in education, law, public service, government agencies, social work, law enforcement, public policy, foreign service, journalism, archival work, library science, academia, or the corporate world.

Studying in these fields can prepare you for careers in:

  • Advertising
  • Public Service
  • Healthcare Law
  • Demography
  • Education
  • Family Services
  • Foreign Service
  • Government (leadership, legislation, campaigns, etc.)
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Human Resources
  • Intelligence Field
  • Law Enforcement
  • Law School
  • Lobbyist
  • Mission Work
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Public Relations
  • Patient Care
  • Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Public Health
  • Research Analyst
  • Sales
  • Social Work
  • Urban Planning

Degrees in Philosophy, History, Law, and Society

Bachelor's Degrees

  • On Campus Online
    An undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice prepares graduates for dozens of careers in the criminal justice field. In addition to exploring crime causation, the judicial system and more, students will learn to apply the Golden Rule in each situation. The high-level program is led by experts in the field.
  • On Campus
    A Family Studies undergraduate degree includes the disciplines of communications, psychology and sociology. Students study modern demographic trends and the role of family across facets of society. The field of study is useful for careers in areas such as social work, public service and even marketing.
  • On Campus
    The History undergraduate degree and minor gives students a broad overview of world, Western and American history. Particular highlights include a survey of the ancient world, investigation of the ancient Romans and Greeks, a purview of religious history, and a study of the United States from its colonial history onward.
  • On Campus Online
    An undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies is optimal for students who seek to lay a foundation of academic understanding that is well-rounded and conducive to further graduate study and general career spheres. Students may choose to focus upon concentrations in humanities, math, science or business.
  • On Campus
    The Medical Humanities undergraduate degree and minor is designed for learners who are preparing for medical and healthcare-related fields. Courses encompass science, ethics, writing and law. Target career paths for graduates range from master’s and doctoral degrees to public health and even pharmaceutical professions.
  • On Campus
    The Philosophy undergraduate degree is expansive in scope, according scholars the gift of learning from the world’s greatest writers and idealists. Because philosophy explores the origins of existence and reality, the creation and application of knowledge, and the determination of wisdom, its pertinence is wide-ranging.
  • On Campus
    The Political Science major prepares students for careers in law, business, public service, education, journalism, or any other field that requires strong analytic and communication skills. The major also increases political awareness and promotes active citizenship and political participation.
  • On Campus
    The Legal Studies undergraduate degree comprises the areas of government, history, economics, philosophy, business administration and communications. Because laws and the legal system are applicable to almost every area of work and society, the careers and further study that graduates can pursue are boundless.
  • On Campus
    An undergraduate minor in Sociology addresses the development, structure and operation of human societal structures. Students explore sociological topics across the family, religion, politics and more. The goal of study is to make learners privy to the causes and implications of societal norms and societal change.

Master's Degrees

  • On Campus
    The Master of Arts in History degree is ideal for students who wish to further their knowledge of history, current teachers who want to enhance their classroom expertise in history and related disciplines, and budding scholars who aim to pursue doctoral studies in history and a career in higher education.
  • On Campus
    The Master of Arts in Philosophy graduate program develops graduates who are comfortable confronting the most important questions of life and existence. Philosophy coursework encompasses logic, human experience, history, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, science, religion, medicine and politics.