Human Services (HSER)

This experiential survey course is designed to introduce the student to the extensive nature of human services. The course will present and review basic concepts, philosophy, social policy, laws, current trends, theories, and history. Students in this course will study and explore skills utilized, appropriate and equitable practices, the impacts, and characteristics of human services professionals.

This course is an introduction to the range of services, care/treatment approaches, and career opportunities for working with individuals afflicted with mental illness. The multi-disciplinary character of human services and mental illness are emphasized through a review of the history, nature, and stigma of mental illness. Some course topics include an overview of serious mental illnesses, treatment approaches, case management, psychiatric rehabilitation, public awareness and stigma, and consumer empowerment.

The course examines the current research, data related to substance abuse and mental health disorders populations, and behavioral and mental health movement. In this course, students study policies, treatments, and related issues associated with mental and behavioral health care. Emphasis placed on national and state policies, dual diagnosis issues, managed care, cultural competence, and client motivation. 

Gerontology is the study of biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Gerontologists include researchers and practitioners in diverse fields as biology, medicine, nursing, dentistry, social work, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, economics, political science, architecture, pharmacy, and anthropology. This course carefully examines aging research and best practices.

The course presents concepts, policies, and practice in the field of human services, specifically child (and family services) and the role, value, and impact of advocacy. Students will examine the needs of children and families, the major human services policies and programs, best practices, and current trends in social services for children and families. The course provides students with a substantive base of knowledge through a human services perspective on child advocacy.

This course is a systematic study of the basic principles, methods, theories, and techniques employed in planning, assessment, contracting, and intervention strategies. In this course, students develop a self-awareness of personal values and professional boundaries, ethics, and standards.

Human services professionals encounter legal issues that pertain to the profession, practices, and needs of clients. In this course, students are introduced to, through an in-depth study, the legal system and the laws that affect human services professionals and clients. The course also investigates, through research, current issues and examines trends in the profession and of human services professionals.

This course is an examination of human services as a holistic response to human needs through various strategies, skills, approaches and techniques. Helping strategies involving case management, counseling, natural helping networks, assessment, and evaluation will be explored and skills will be developed in the areas of observation, listening, intake referral, and report writing.

An overview of the theories of human behavior, mental health, substance abuse, and application. Emphasis on the cycle of change and Motivational Enhancement Theory (MET) as used in Behavioral Healthcare. Students in this course also examine counseling techniques appropriate for diverse populations and the application of concepts, theories, and strategies for individuals with multiple behavioral difficulties.

This course is an introduction to the theory and knowledge related to understanding human behavior and working with families and individuals in a human services capacity. In this course, students engage in experiential and observational learning. This course provides students with theoretical and practical exposure to human behavior highlighting the interaction skills needed in the helping professions.

In this course, students will examine group therapy and group dynamics through a comprehensive study of theory and methods that lead to a beginning competence, knowledge, and skills in helping people solve problems in group experiences.

This course focuses on the study of community organizations and their methods of practice, analyzing the practice of planning and implementation of human services programs, the function and role of human services professionals, methods of human services best practices, and the components of community functions and change. The skills, methods and organizational functions are explored individually and the interactions between each are also examined.

A research project, equity-oriented advanced course under the personal supervision of faculty member in the Human Services Program. It is designed to provide an opportunity to explore a particular need, topic, community concern, or subject within the area of human services and social justice. Field work may require travel at the student's own expense, coordination and planning as well as background checks, drug screens, and proof of health such as vaccination.

In this course, students explore human services supervision/management. Through a study of hiring, training, mentoring, and supervision, community engagement and networking, service delivery systems, program implementation, assessment, and evaluation, financial and budget planning, managerial problem-solving, administrative planning for human services organizations, and closely related concepts/topics, students gain an understanding of human services administration and management practices and perspectives.

The practicum and field placement is under the guidance and supervision of selected mental health agencies in the region and the HSE program and Social Sciences Department. It is a process of experiential learning that integrates knowledge, skills, practices, and attitudes currently being taught and/or learned in coursework. Open only to students enrolled in the Mental Health Degree Program option or the HSE Mental Health Certificate. Field work may require travel at the student's own expense, coordination and planning as well as background checks, drug screens, and proof of health. 120 hours of field practicum.

Students are placed in a private or public social service agency or in a position in business that is human service related, by the college's internship coordinator, so that they may apply the theories and skills acquired in their academic studies. This field experience will be received under the joint supervision of personnel in the assigned organization and the college instructor. Completion of 120 hours of supervised field work in a cooperating human service agency. The academic component of the practicum experience is held bi-weekly and all field placement participants/ students are required to participate. This course is open only to students currently enrolled in the Human Services degree program; and may require travel at the student's own expense, planning, and coordination and background checks, drug screens, and proof of health may be required.

Through a combination of lecture and hands-on projects, this course examines the philosophy, methodology, current social issues; how they are applied to social justice and questions, the basis of research methods with the goal of programmatic evaluation, and beginning the process of conducting research in the social sciences. This course emphasizes the unique contribution of interdisciplinary research (in disciplines such as but not limited to human services, early childhood education, anthropology, mental health, social work, sociology, and gerontology), the process of identifying challenges/questions, solutions, and application using real-world situations.