College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
CHESS is a destination for strategic thinking and a launchpad for discovery. Our offerings include Addictions and Mental Health Treatment, Clinical Counseling, Communication and Digital Media, Criminal Justice, Education, Leadership, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Social Work and Theology.
Getting Started
About CHESS
Read our mission and vision statements, and discover the Franciscan values that comprise the foundation of an Alvernia education.
College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Departments
Baccalaureate
• Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
• Addictions and Mental Health Treatment (Adult Education)
Adult Education Certificate
Baccalaureate
• Film, Culture and the Creative Arts
• Journalism
• Media Design and Production
• Public Relations and Advertising
• Sports Media
• Strategic Communications
• Digital Media Marketing (Adult Education)
• Social Influencing, Communication, and Creative Media
• Social Influencing, Communication, and Creative Media (Adult Education)
Minors
Baccalaureate
• Early Childhood Education (PK-4)
• Early Childhood Education (PK-4) (Adult Education)
• Early Childhood (PK-4) & Special Education
• Early Childhood PK-4 & Special Ed PK-12 (Adult Education)
Masters
• Master of Education programs
Certificates
• Special Education Certification
• Teaching English as a Second Language Certification
Graduate Certificate
• Disabilities and Inclusive Communities
• English as a Second Language Program Specialist
Doctorate
• Leadership
Masters
• Organizational Leadership
Graduate Certificates
• Organizational Leadership
Minors
Baccalaureate
• Bachelor of Social Work (Adult Education)
• Criminal Justice (Adult Education)
Masters
Minor
Success Stories
Alum honors late brother by founding nonprofit supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries
For two decades, Bob Graul ’78 was a San Antonio divorce attorney. Wanting to follow the path of giving back to the community that Alvernia University’s Bernardine Sisters always fostered, he also took on pro bono family law cases and later repres...
History major, an Air Force veteran, relishes in-person connections
Most adult students prefer the flexibility of online courses, which allow them to tailor learning to their schedules. Michael Barnwell ’26 sought the opposite, seeking the interaction he thrived on during 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. “I wanted ...
Transfer student follows mother's footsteps to find community and a full-time job
The journey of transfer student Lilibet Perez '26 to Alvernia wasn’t exactly traditional. She originally thought she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, only to realize a year-and-a-half into her college journey that her heart wasn’t in it....
Criminal Justice grad and retired adjunct continues to serve with bereavement-focused books, support group
It’s hard to put Dominic Murgido ’79 in one descriptive box. What lead him to Alvernia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a double concentration in sociology and psychology? It may have been the talks he had with his f...
Recent News
Alvernia’s Irish partnerships spread Franciscan values abroad
Alvernia’s relationship with St. Mary’s University College combines academic seminars with firsthand exploration of Northern Ireland’s history, politics and culture.
Innovative Alvernia program provides 'brain retain' to region
Apprenticeship to Degree allows students to work with employers for multiple years, positioning them for future success while retaining talent long term in the region.
AI + AU: How Alvernia is incorporating the technology
Alvernia’s implementation of artificial intelligence aims to teach students to think critically about the technology while producing graduates prepared for the future of work.
