PLEASE NOTE: This Courses and Programs Preview is not the final 2026-2027 Academic Catalog. The final Catalog will be published on July 1, 2026.
The Human Services program is designed to provide education and training for individuals seeking employment in various human service settings. The program is also designed to provide a basis for those who choose to continue their education in social work, early intervention and prevention, gerontology, mental health, home visitation, early childhood programming, addiction counseling, advocacy, social justice, and other related fields.
Opportunities in human services include working in group homes, social service agencies, youth recreational centers, educational settings, senior centers and assisted living programs. Human services is a broad field and students learn in courses which areas they would like to focus on for their careers.
This career program is designed to prepare students for diverse employment opportunities and competent performance in a variety of entry-level community, counseling-related, and social service minded organizations. Instruction is cross-disciplinary and designed for maximum transferability for those wishing to continue their studies to psychology, social work, education, or other helping professions. Emphasis is on the empirical and theoretical aspects of the social sciences and application through experiential learning including a practicum. This degree is interdisciplinary in nature and embraces the holistic approach. All majors must complete a minimum of three credits in an Human Services Field Work I. Finally, students may be required to complete a background check, drug screening, and proof of health (e.g., vaccinations) for field work and field work may involve travel which is at the student’s own expense, coordination, and planning.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze the historical and current aspects of social welfare as a system designed to serve people,groups, communities, and society.
2. Identify and apply skills in client needs assessment and in the provision of information and referral for client access to resources and use appropriate human service practice skills within the context of providing human services.
3. Identify and evaluate the impact of discrimination, racism, micro/macroaggressions, intersectional inequalities, and oppression on individuals and society.
4. Apply and evaluate human service approaches at the individual, group and agency scale practice.
5. Identify the elements of professional and ethical practices in human services.
6. Identify and apply knowledge of the language, terminology, theories, models, techniques, interventions, and strategies applicable to individuals needs.
Concentration Learning Outcomes
Behavioral Healthcare
1.a Identify and apply knowledge skills, and resources necessary to provide behavioral healthcare services.
2.a Compare and apply models for diagnosing and treating individuals with mental health and substance issues.
3.a Identify and apply knowledge skills, and resources to promote behavior change.
4.a Identify how to classify and treat mental health conditions.
5.a Identify substance use and behavioral addiction history, theory, and impacts on individuals and systems
6.a Identify the history, theory, context and interventions in the US mental health system.
Child and Family Studies
1.c Assess the impact of advocacy, policies, and best practices in promoting equity and inclusion forexceptional learners and families in human services and educational settings.
2.c Identify and develop effective communication strategies and collaborative relationships with familiesand community resources to promote children’s health, safety, and development.
3.c Examine the relationship between early childhood theories, curriculum models, and developmentally appropriate practices to identify their impact on children’s growth and family dynamics
4.c Examine how hereditary and environmental factors influence child development, identifying their impact on family systems and support needs.
5.c Identify and assess current and historical family trends and their impacts on social systems and policies
Gerontology
1.d Identify physiological, psychological, and socio-economic factors relating to the aging process.
2.d Examine historical, religious, and cultural perspectives on death and dying as well as analyzing ethical and societal issues related to end-of-life decisions.
3.d Examine the impact of acute and chronic conditions on physical and psychological health across the lifespan, with a focus on aging and age-related changes.
4.d Assess the effectiveness of public health interventions in promoting community health and preventing disease, with a focus on policies, career paths, and strategies for improving health outcomes.
5.d Analyze the impact of societal attitudes, policies, and laws (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act) on the inclusion and well-being of older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Human Services Management
1.b Identify the needs and strengths inherent in individuals, families, and communities.
2.b Identify and analyze organizational programs to address human service needs.
3.b Examine and evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership approaches in fostering teamwork, improving service outcomes, and supporting organizational goals in human services administration as well as in a broader business context, considering policy and ethics.
4.b Identify and apply scales of human diversity and their importance on individual, group and structural strengths and challenges.
5.b Identify and apply effective communication skills.
6.b Evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership styles in managing organizational change and resolving conflict within teams with a focus on diversity of individuals and groups.