Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Human Services

About

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services in the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services is a rigorous program of study that helps students acquire the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to promote mental well-being and to advocate for the populations they serve. The degree program has an applied emphasis with a strong grounding in counseling research and theory. Human Services graduates are prepared to enter the workforce in paraprofessional counseling positions in mental health, addictions, and child and adolescent services or pursue graduate degrees in the helping professions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of an array of theoretical and applied human service, counseling and psychological theories;
• Demonstrate a range of paraprofessional counseling skills sufficient to conduct entry-level human services interventions;
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and/or in writing and interact effectively with other helping professionals;
• Demonstrate an ability to understand research and critique professional literature in human service, counseling and psychological professions;
• Deliver professional services within the guidelines of the ethical and professional practice;
• Meet consumer needs of diverse clients with an appreciation of multicultural perspectives;
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the case management process, typically from intake through program design, implementation and evaluation to termination;
• Demonstrate understanding of processes of social change through community development, advocacy and public policy;
• Be prepared to secure a position in the helping profession or gain entrance to graduate school.

Career Possibilities

The undergraduate human services program prepares students to become helping professionals. Students attain the knowledge, competencies, and attitudes to provide services to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities. Career possibilities for graduates of the program may include but not limited to:

• Academic Advisor
• Adult Rights Specialist
• Behavioral Health Associate
• Case Manager
• Community Outreach Worker
• Court Support Worker
• Crisis Intervention Specialist
• Disability Specialist
• Drug and Alcohol Counselor
• Grant Writer
• Geriatric Support Specialist
• Patient/Treatment Advocate
• Psychiatric Care Worker
• Social Advocate
• Youth Development Practitioner
• Wellness Coach

Requirements

Human Services (BS)

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services in the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology and Human Services is a rigorous program of study that helps students acquire the awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to promote mental well-being and to advocate for the populations they serve. The degree program has an applied emphasis with a strong grounding in counseling research and theory. Human Services graduates are prepared to enter the workforce in paraprofessional counseling positions in mental health, addictions, and child and adolescent services or pursue graduate degrees in the helping professions.

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate knowledge of an array of theoretical and applied counseling theories.
2. Demonstrate basic counseling skills sufficient to conduct entry - level human services interventions.
3. Demonstrate an ability to form helping relationships in accordance with principles of sound counseling practice.
4. Demonstrate an ability to understand, research, and critique professional literature in counseling.
5. Deliver professional services within the guidelines of ethical and professional practice standards.
6. Demonstrate an appreciation of multicultural differences and the needs of diverse clients.
7. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and/or in writing with helping professionals.

Career Possibilities

Possible career options after receiving this degree:

• Criminal justice system
• Social services system
• Drug and/or alcohol counselor

Advising

Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Education Student Services Center.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

University Graduation Requirements

Please see Graduation Policies for complete information.

Modality: Fully Online and Blended

This program is available in both Fully Online and Blended formats. Students may select their preferred modality at the time of admission. Those who choose the fully online option are committing to complete their entire degree through online education and will be identified as fully online students in MyUNLV. If circumstances or preferences change after admission, students may request a change in modality through the official change of major process. Academic advisors are available to help students select the format that best supports their academic and personal goals and can assist with any changes needed.

Human Services (BS) Degree Requirements - Total: 120 Credits

General Education Requirements - Credits: 37-40

• First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3
• English Composition - Credits: 6
  • ENG 101 - Composition I
  • ENG 102 - Composition II
• Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3
• Constitutions - Credits: 4-6
• Mathematics - Credits: 3
• Distribution Requirements - Credits: 19
  • Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9
    • Two courses 3 credits each from two different humanities areas - 6 credits
    • One course in fine arts- 3 credits
  • Social Science - Credits: 0
    • Automatically satisfied by Major requirements
  • Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking - Credits: 10
    • Two courses from life and physical sciences category; at least one must have a lab
    • Analytical Thinking 3 credit course
• Multicultural and International Requirements - Credits: 0-6
  • Multicultural
    • CED 200 is recommended and will satisfy both Multicultural and major requirements
  • International
    • one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. Visit the Provost webpage for the list of approved Multicultural and International courses.

Major Requirements - BS in Human Services - Credits: 42

• CED 117 - Interpersonal Skills in Human Services
• CED 200 - Multicultural Issues of Counseling
• CED 300 - Introduction to Human Services Counseling
• CED 310 - Relationships Across the Lifespan
• CED 315 - Counseling Skills in Human Services
• CED 320 - Drugs and Behavior
• CED 325 - Mental Health and the Human Services Profession
• CED 375 - Ethical and Professional Issues in Human Services
• CED 400 - Field Experience in Human Services I
• CED 401 - Field Experience in Human Services II
• CED 465 - Case and Resource Management in Human Services
• CRJ 301 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• CFT 350 - Human Sexuality

Restrictive Electives - Credits: 15

General Electives - Credits: 23-25

(see note 3 below)

Total Credits: 120

Notes

1. CED 200 also fulfills the multicultural requirement of the general education core. Courses satisfying the international requirement may simultaneously fulfill another requirement.
2. A total of 42 credits must be 300/400 level courses.
3. Hours taken as part of a minor may count toward Human Services electives.
4. CED 300 is a Milestone Experience course for the Human Services B.S.
5. CED 400 is a Culminating Experience course for the Human Services B.S.