Human Services Minor

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).

"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

Program Required Credit Hours - 24

Required Core (18 credits)

Elective Choices (6 credits)

Declare your Human Services Minor

Schedule time with your academic advisor to officially declare your Human Services minor. The Academic Advising Department updates the Department of Counseling and Human Services with newly declared minors. 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 minor. Call 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu to set up that appointment.

The Department of Counseling and Human Services provides a list of numerous fieldwork sites to engage with in your fieldwork experience. Students learn more about the fieldwork search, application, and expectations process via a fieldwork orientation session held early in the COUN 2950 Fieldwork in Human Services I course.

One option for fieldwork experience is Campus Connections, a for-credit, service-learning fieldwork experience 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.