Nov 04, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Human Services, B.A. - BDC


Minimum number of credits required to graduate:  124

Minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate:  2.0

Minimum number of credits to complete the major:  124

School: School of Education and Social Policy

Department: Interdisciplinary

The Bachelor’s Degree Completion (BDC) program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services (B.A. in HSV). The BDC program offers a flexible, manageable, and academically meaningful way for students to complete their bachelor’s degree at Merrimack College. Tailored to returning students and adult learners, the BDC program offers a clear, well-defined, and achievable path to degree completion, with a career-focused and academically rigorous curriculum. This program prepares students for success in today’s diverse and dynamic workplace.

Distinct from the traditional full-time on-ground program, the BDC program features eight-week courses taught online. It also provides one-on-one academic advising, as well as professional and career development coaching. The B.A. in HSV requires the completion of a minimum of 124 credits, including a minimum of:

1.  12 credits in the Professional Core

2.  28 credits in the Arts and Sciences Core

3.  36 credits in the Human Services Major

4.  48 credits in Open Electives

Students may transfer a maximum of up to 90 credits for previous college coursework, prior learning, and/or professional equivalencies.

Major Requirements


The major consists of a minimum of 36 credits as outlined below. However, students may choose to take additional electives to complete a certificate in Speech, Language and Learning, Early Childhood or Gerontology. 

Elective Courses


Must choose a minimum of 12 credits from the courses listed below. Studnets may select any combination of classes from any of the categories, but if a student seeks a specific certificate, they should select courses from the specific certificate area.