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Program Overview
Human Services, BA
Introduction
The Human Services curriculum aligns with national standards in human services education as outlined by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education. The Human Services major prepares students to work in a variety of settings as case managers, advocates, grant writers, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, or advocacy specialists.
The program has a social justice orientation, engaging students in critical analysis and reflection as they examine social issues at the individual, group, organization, community, and global level. The program emphasizes community engagement and requires 240 hours of field experience that allows students to integrate theory, knowledge, and skills through work in human services organizations.
Why Consider a Human Services Major?
Are you interested in a career working to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and organizations? Do you learn effectively through student-centered activities that encourage collaborative inquiry and active engagement to address real-world challenges? If so, you may want to consider a major in Human Services. The Human Services major attracts students from diverse backgrounds with a strong commitment to social and economic justice, human dignity, self-determination, and the desire to facilitate change. Thousands of Western’s Human Services Program graduates are currently working in meaningful positions in nonprofit, government, and community-based services.
Student Resources
- Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
- Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
- Sample Careers:
- Children, Youth, and Family Services
- Veterans Services
- Mental Health Services
- International Development
- Rehabilitation Counseling & Disability Services
- Corrections & Law Enforcement
- Community Development & Organizing
- Faith-Based Services
- Non-profit Management
- Community-based Sports and Recreation
- Alternative Education
- Housing
- Food Securities
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)
Applicants to Human Services must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (with some exceptions as noted below) and must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to the major:
- A completed Human Services Program application, including required essays
- A criminal history background check, which may also include fingerprinting
- A signed contract indicating an understanding and intention to comply with the program’s expectations for academic and professional performance
Interviews may be required for admission to the program. Prospective students are encouraged to seek information prior to submitting an application.
Admission Expectations
Applicants to the major in Human Services with a GPA below 2.75 may contact the department to discuss the admissions exceptions policy. A personal interview may be required.
Applicants must be within 10 credits of completing Western’s GURs or be within 5 credits of completing a direct transfer degree (AA) from a Washington state community college by the start of the program’s classes or have completed their direct transfer degree (AA) from a Washington state community college.
A minor in Human Services is not available. Non-matriculated students, undeclared majors, and/or students from other majors at Western are able to enroll in some courses on a space-available basis, with permission of the program.
Technology Competency and Access
Many courses in the major have an online learning component, or require use of technology. Therefore, students admitted to the Human Services Program are expected to have regular access to the internet.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
Retention in the Human Services Program is dependent upon each student’s ability to meet university requirements and the program’s essential functions and expectations for academic and professional performance. Prior to entering an internship placement, all students are required to successfully complete HSP 435.
Requirements (75 credits)
Foundation Courses (35 credits)
- HSP 301 - Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 306 - Human Services Foundations Credits: 5
- HSP 355 - Inequity in US Policy and Institutions Credits: 5
- HSP 404 - Human Services Professionals and Community Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 406 - Inequity in Global Policy and Institutions: Implications for Human Services Professionals Credits: 5
- HSP 410 - Mental Health: Individuals and Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 420 - Social Welfare Policy Credits: 5
Skills Courses (15 credits)
- HSP 325 - Introduction to Interviewing and Interventions in Human Services Credits: 5
- HSP 385 - Applied Research Methods Credits: 5
- HSP 485 - Program Planning and Evaluation Credits: 5
Field Studies (15 credits)
- HSP 435 - Human Service Organizations: Context, structure and practice Credits: 5
- HSP 440 - Internship and Seminar Credits: 5 (must take at least 10 credits)
Electives (10 credits)
Choose at least two courses to meet the minimum 10 credits of electives.
- HSP 323 - Conflict Resolution in Human Services Credits: 4
- HSP 371 - Issues and Concepts in Human Services Credits: 5
- HSP 443 - Disability: Individuals and Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 450 - Survey of Addictions Credits: 5
- HSP 451 - Foundations in Health Promotion Credits: 5
- HSP 452 - Gender, Sexuality and Human Services Credits: 5
- HSP 453 - Crime and Social Control Credits: 5
- HSP 454 - Families in Poverty Credits: 5
- HSP 456 - Aging and Health Credits: 5
- HSP 457 - Trauma and Resilience Credits: 5
- HSP 467 - Ecopsychology Credits: 5
- HSP 484 - Grant Writing Credits: 4
- Other electives in human services under program advisement
University Graduation Requirements
- General University Requirements
- Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
- 180 Minimum Total Credits
- 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
- Residency Requirement
- Minimum Grade Requirements
- Final Quarter Requirement
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The program details include descriptions, requirements, admission criteria, and other relevant information about the Human Services, BA program.
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Use ## for main sections and ### for subsections. Use - for unordered lists, indenting sublists with two spaces.
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The final answer is: $\boxed{## Human Services, BA
Introduction
The Human Services curriculum aligns with national standards in human services education as outlined by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education. The Human Services major prepares students to work in a variety of settings as case managers, advocates, grant writers, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, or advocacy specialists.
The program has a social justice orientation, engaging students in critical analysis and reflection as they examine social issues at the individual, group, organization, community, and global level. The program emphasizes community engagement and requires 240 hours of field experience that allows students to integrate theory, knowledge, and skills through work in human services organizations.
Why Consider a Human Services Major?
Are you interested in a career working to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and organizations? Do you learn effectively through student-centered activities that encourage collaborative inquiry and active engagement to address real-world challenges? If so, you may want to consider a major in Human Services. The Human Services major attracts students from diverse backgrounds with a strong commitment to social and economic justice, human dignity, self-determination, and the desire to facilitate change. Thousands of Western’s Human Services Program graduates are currently working in meaningful positions in nonprofit, government, and community-based services.
Student Resources
- Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
- Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
- Sample Careers:
- Children, Youth, and Family Services
- Veterans Services
- Mental Health Services
- International Development
- Rehabilitation Counseling & Disability Services
- Corrections & Law Enforcement
- Community Development & Organizing
- Faith-Based Services
- Non-profit Management
- Community-based Sports and Recreation
- Alternative Education
- Housing
- Food Securities
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)
Applicants to Human Services must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (with some exceptions as noted below) and must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to the major:
- A completed Human Services Program application, including required essays
- A criminal history background check, which may also include fingerprinting
- A signed contract indicating an understanding and intention to comply with the program’s expectations for academic and professional performance
Interviews may be required for admission to the program. Prospective students are encouraged to seek information prior to submitting an application.
Admission Expectations
Applicants to the major in Human Services with a GPA below 2.75 may contact the department to discuss the admissions exceptions policy. A personal interview may be required.
Applicants must be within 10 credits of completing Western’s GURs or be within 5 credits of completing a direct transfer degree (AA) from a Washington state community college by the start of the program’s classes or have completed their direct transfer degree (AA) from a Washington state community college.
A minor in Human Services is not available. Non-matriculated students, undeclared majors, and/or students from other majors at Western are able to enroll in some courses on a space-available basis, with permission of the program.
Technology Competency and Access
Many courses in the major have an online learning component, or require use of technology. Therefore, students admitted to the Human Services Program are expected to have regular access to the internet.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
Retention in the Human Services Program is dependent upon each student’s ability to meet university requirements and the program’s essential functions and expectations for academic and professional performance. Prior to entering an internship placement, all students are required to successfully complete HSP 435.
Requirements (75 credits)
Foundation Courses (35 credits)
- HSP 301 - Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 306 - Human Services Foundations Credits: 5
- HSP 355 - Inequity in US Policy and Institutions Credits: 5
- HSP 404 - Human Services Professionals and Community Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 406 - Inequity in Global Policy and Institutions: Implications for Human Services Professionals Credits: 5
- HSP 410 - Mental Health: Individuals and Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 420 - Social Welfare Policy Credits: 5
Skills Courses (15 credits)
- HSP 325 - Introduction to Interviewing and Interventions in Human Services Credits: 5
- HSP 385 - Applied Research Methods Credits: 5
- HSP 485 - Program Planning and Evaluation Credits: 5
Field Studies (15 credits)
- HSP 435 - Human Service Organizations: Context, structure and practice Credits: 5
- HSP 440 - Internship and Seminar Credits: 5 (must take at least 10 credits)
Electives (10 credits)
Choose at least two courses to meet the minimum 10 credits of electives.
- HSP 323 - Conflict Resolution in Human Services Credits: 4
- HSP 371 - Issues and Concepts in Human Services Credits: 5
- HSP 443 - Disability: Individuals and Systems Credits: 5
- HSP 450 - Survey of Addictions Credits: 5
- HSP 451 - Foundations in Health Promotion Credits: 5
- HSP 452 - Gender, Sexuality and Human Services Credits: 5
- HSP 453 - Crime and Social Control Credits: 5
- HSP 454 - Families in Poverty Credits: 5
- HSP 456 - Aging and Health Credits: 5
- HSP 457 - Trauma and Resilience Credits: 5
- HSP 467 - Ecopsychology Credits: 5
- HSP 484 - Grant Writing Credits: 4
- Other electives in human services under program advisement
University Graduation Requirements
- General University Requirements
- Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
- 180 Minimum Total Credits
- 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
- Residency Requirement
- Minimum Grade Requirements
- Final Quarter Requirement}$}
