Human Services, BS

Bachelor of Science in Human Services

Normal Time for Completion: Four Years

This program is offered at the Main Campus, online, evenings, and weekends.

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Human Services program will study how people live and function within society while also examining the structures and systems that impact individuals and groups. The human services major develops a foundation for a service-oriented career, including case management techniques, prevention theories and concepts, and knowledge of human development. Students will develop the skills and knowledge needed to apply a strengths-based approach to empowering clients and addressing adversity. Students gain an understanding of peoples' capacity for growth and change while learning to promote social justice by practicing their skills in the areas of counseling, ethical decision-making, crisis intervention, and advocacy. Graduates of the Human Services program can pursue work in non-profit, state, or for-profit agencies in positions such as caseworker, youth worker, life skills instructor, case manager, client advocate, court support professional, or program coordinator. Students are well-prepared to pursue advanced degrees in Human Services or related fields. All Human Services majors are required to select a concentration to enhance their learning experience. Human services is an incredibly broad field and having a concentration in a specific area of the field provides students with an education that aligns with future career goals.

The Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree is not designed to fulfill the educational requirements for any professional credential, such as licenses for clinical psychology or therapy. Professional credentials vary by state and include requirements outside of education, which may include exams, background checks, work experience, and more.

B.S. in Human Services Program Outcomes

1. Students will be able to analyze the historical milestones, social policies, and current trends that have shaped the development of the human services profession.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill pertaining to individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal human service systems.
3. Students will be able to articulate an understanding of the various issues that impact human functioning, including barriers and challenges, in individual, group, and organizational settings.
4. Students will be able to analyze the impact of diversity and culture in the field of human services and identify strategies to address marginalization.
5. Students will be able to assess and organize the needs of clients and client groups in relation to prevention, intervention, and maintenance to conduct service planning, goal setting, and evaluation of service outcomes.
6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of administrative components of human service delivery systems including providing supervision, program management, program development, and grant writing/reporting.
7. Students will be able to apply ethical decision-making, based on a code of ethics, to the delivery of human services and protecting client information.
8. Students will be able to analyze their own values, beliefs, interpersonal styles, and ideas to effectively provide direct services in the human services field to avoid imposing bias and employ self-care strategies.