HSDA, sociology degrees fully online

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is now offering both its bachelor's and master's degrees in human services delivery and administration (HSDA) fully online, as well as its bachelor's degree in sociology. Both undergraduate degrees still have some courses available in person.

Each of the programs was at least partially online before, but the new setup provides more options for students.

"Some students are working or have families. They want the flexibility that online education gives them," Dr. Sara Mason, department head of Sociology & Human Services, said. "We have created a quality online experience that has the same impact, just achieved in a different way."

Amanda Smith, a second-year student in the Master of Science in HSDA, lives in Monticello, Georgia, and is grateful to no longer have to make the monthly two-hour drive to UNG's Gainesville Campus.

"I'm able to spend time with my family and not take a Saturday away from them every month," Smith said. "It's more convenient for me to spend time with family and do things I need to do here."

The HSDA bachelor's degree was reaccredited and the HSDA master's program received initial accreditation from the Council for Standards in Human Services Education. The master's program is one of two graduate programs with this accreditation and the only program in Georgia, as well as the only public program.

Some students are working or have families. They want the flexibility that online education gives them. We have created a quality online experience that has the same impact, just achieved in a different way.

Dr. Sara Mason

UNG department head of Sociology & Human Services

The communities near the Blue Ridge Campus especially stand to gain from the change, according to McKee.

"There are a lot of nonprofit organizations and human services jobs in this area that people aren't trained for," McKee said. "Now people will have this degree available to pursue in the community because it's online."

In addition to providing more options for current and future students, UNG is also offering a degree for students whose programs have been discontinued in other parts of the state.

Dr. Carly Redding, associate professor and HSDA program coordinator, said she was initially hesitant to take the programs fully online because of the experiential nature of the field, but she sees the need for the change.

"We listened to our students," Redding said. "They told us what they needed."

Smith, who works in upper management for a foster care agency, said she owes her career path to UNG, which is where she earned her HSDA bachelor's degree in 2016. She initially enrolled wanting to be a dental hygienist before a psychology class and a conversation with Dr. Pamela Elfenbein helped change her mind. Her connection with faculty members made returning to UNG a natural choice.

"Those relationships with professors really motivated me to go into the master's program," Smith said.