BA IN HUMAN SERVICES

BA Human Services Flyer

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The Bachelor of Arts in Human Services has four distinct emphasis areas.  Students may select one of these four emphasis areas or declare a general focus without selecting an emphasis area.

 


 

Download the PDF here: The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Services.pdf

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Services has four distinct emphasis areas (*note student can also declare a general focus without selecting an emphasis area):

  1. Human Services with a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Emphasis
  2. Human Services with a Military & Veteran Support Specialist (MVSS) Emphasis
  3. Human Services with a Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) Emphasis
  4. Human Services with a Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) Emphasis

What is Human Services?

The field of Human Services is broadly defined yet focuses on the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base and demonstration of effective human relationship skills which address client, project, agency, and/or organizational goals. The Human Services profession is one that promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but also by seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery. Services are provided during prevention, intervention, and remediation phases depending upon the goals of a particular organization.

The primary purpose of the human service worker is to assist individuals and communities to function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living. A strong moral commitment to serving others is an important consideration for a job as a human services worker. Individuals who show patience, understanding, and caring in their dealings with others and critical thinking, adaptive problem solving, and communication skills allowing them to understand various perspectives or views are highly valued by employers. Other important personal traits include communication skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to manage time effectively. The Human services program is designed to meet the standards and competencies outlined by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS), and the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE)

COURSES

Program Required Credit Hours -

Core Course Requirements (27 credits)

Course # &  Title Semester Credits
LEAD 1600 - Leading Teams and Organizations 3
COUN 2000 - Introduction to Human Services 3
COUN 2040 - Human Growth & Development 3
LEAD 2700 - Introduction to Research Design and Methods 3

COUN 3000 - Culturally Informed Treatment OR LEAD 3010 Diversity in Higher Education (for the student affairs emphasis)

 3
COUN 3110 - Interpersonal Communication, Interviewing, & Mediation Skills 3
COUN 3400 - Ethics & Case Management or COUN 2400 Ethics I & II (for addictions emphasis) 3
COUN 3410 - Assessment & Treatment Planning 3
COUN 3500 - Group Dynamics & Group Process 3

Specialist Tracks
Career Services Provider Emphasis (18 credits)

Course # &  Title Semester Credits
COUN 3600 - Motivational Interviewing I & II 3
COUN 3100 - Career Planning 3
COUN 4200 - Career Assessment & Transitions 3
PAD 3268 - Social Welfare and Public Policy 3
COUN 4750 - Mental Health Triage & First Aid 3
COUN 4500 - Wellness, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence 3


Addiction Counseling Emphasis (18 credits)

Course # &  Title Semester Credits
COUN 2500 - Introduction to Principles of Addiction Treatment 3
COUN 2990 - Introduction to Addiction Counseling Skills 3
COUN 3040 - Pharmacology I, II & Infectious Diseases 3
COUN 4000 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession 3
COUN 3600 - Motivational Interviewing I & II 3
COUN 4830 - Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma Informed Care 3


Military & Veteran Support Specialist Emphasis (18 credits)

Course # &  Title Semester Credits
COUN 3600 - Motivational Interviewing I & II 3
COUN 3900 - Military Family Systems 3
COUN 4300 - Military/Veteran Leadership, Advocacy, and Support 3
COUN 4200 - Career Assessment & Transitions 3
COUN 4500 - Wellness, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence 3
COUN 4750 - Mental Health Triage & First Aid 3


Student Affairs in Higher Education Emphasis (18 credits)

Course # &  Title Semester Credits
LEAD 2000 - Student Affairs Foundations 3
LEAD 3000 - How College Students Develop 3
LEAD 3010 - Diversity in Higher Education 3
LEAD 3030 - Crisis Management and Response 3
LEAD 4010 - Internship in Student Affairs 3
COUN 4500 - Wellness, Resilience, and Emotional Intelligence 3
HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONALS

"Human services worker" is a generic term for people who hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in such diverse settings as group homes, transitional housing, correctional facilities, community mental health centers, family, child, and youth service agencies, and programs concerned with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, and aging. Depending on the employment setting and the kinds of clients served there, job titles and duties vary a great deal. The primary purpose of the human service worker is to assist individuals and communities to function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living. A strong desire to help others is an important consideration for a job as a human services worker. Individuals who show patience, understanding, and caring in their dealings with others are highly valued by employers. Other important personal traits include communication skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to manage time effectively.

Examples of Occupational Titles of Human Service Workers

Case Workers Case Monitor Parole Officer
Family Support Worker Child Advocate
Youth Worker Gerontology Aide
Social Service Liaison Juvenile Court Liaison

Residential Counselor

 Home Health Aide
Behavioral Management Aide Human Resources Coordinator
Eligibility Counselor Child Abuse Worker
Substance Use Counselor Crisis Intervention Counselor
Adult Day Care Worker Mental Health Technician
Life Skills Instructor Intake Interviewer
Client Advocate Community Outreach Worker
Probation Officer Military Benefits Counselor
Neighborhood Worker Community Action Worker
Social Service Aide Psychological Aide
Group Activities Aide Transitional Housing Counselor
Social Service Technician Rehabilitation Case Worker
Therapeutic Assistant Residential Manager
ADMISSIONS

For new students

Please visit our website for admissions information.

Declare your Human Services Major

Schedule time with your academic advisor to officially declare your Human Services major. The Academic Advising Department updates the Department of Counseling and Human Services with newly declared majors. Academic Advising is located in Main Hall Room 208 (lobby). Phone: (719) 255-3260. Please contact the Human Services Coordinator within the Department of Counseling and Human Services for any questions about the Human Services major. Call 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu to set up that appointment.

PRACTICUM OPTIONS

Campus Connections is a for-credit, service-learning course that pairs UCCS students and youth from the community in mentor-mentee relationships. Youth are referred through our El Paso Country Community partners and are matched with a UCCS student who provides one-on-one therapeutic mentoring throughout the semester.

Mentors spend four hours once a week with their mentee providing academic support, career planning, and promoting positive social skill development.

For more information, visit the Campus Connections website here.