Counseling & Human Services Minor

Counseling & Human Services

Undergraduate Minor

Course Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

24 Credits

About the Human Services Minor

Human services is one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. The Human Services minor emphasizes personal growth, theory-based practices, and experiential learning through fieldwork placement.

This undergraduate program provides both the academic and experiential background for the student seeking a career working with diverse populations in the varied and expanding field of Human Services.


Focus of Study

The Human Services field aims to meet the needs of individuals and communities by utilizing interdisciplinary knowledge and innovative human relations skills. Human Services enhance support delivery systems by ensuring quality, accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies. Human Services aims to assist individuals in various life circumstances, offering support during prevention, intervention, and remediation life stages.

Being a human service worker is a unique role that involves assisting individuals and communities to function effectively. It requires a strong moral commitment to serving others, and employers value individuals who display patience, understanding and care in their interactions with others.

Important Personal Traits for a Human Services Worker:

  • Critical thinking skills
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Effective communication 
  • Strong sense of responsibility
  • Sufficient time management

Program Requirements

A minimum of 24 credit hours must be completed.


Program Coursework

  Courses
Required Core
18 Credit Hours
  • COUN 2000: Introduction to Human Services
  • COUN 3000: Culturally Informed Treatment
  • COUN 3400: Ethics & Values in Human Services
  • COUN 3500: Group Dynamics and Group Process
  • COUN 3110: Interpersonal Communication, Interviewing & Mediation Skills
  • COUN 4950: Fieldwork in Human Services II or COUN 2950 Fieldwork in Human Services I 
Elective Choices
6 Credits Hours
  • COUN 2400: Ethics I & II
  • COUN 2500: Principles of Addiction Treatment
  • COUN 2990: Introduction to Addiction Counseling Skills
  • COUN 3040:  Pharmacology I, II & Infectious Diseases
  • COUN 3100: Career Planning & Employment Services
  • COUN 3410: Assessment and Treatment Planning
  • COUN 3600: Motivational Interviewing I & II
  • COUN 4000: Introduction to the Counseling Profession
  • COUN 4070: Adventure Education & Experiential Learning
  • COUN 4500: Wellness, Resiliency, and Emotional Intelligence
  • COUN 4830: Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma-Informed Care


For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.


Program Fieldwork

The Department of Counseling and Human Services offers a variety of fieldwork sites for you to participate in during your fieldwork experience.

In the COUN 2950 Fieldwork in Human Services I Course, students receive guidance on the fieldwork search, application, and expectations process through an orientation session.

Campus Connections Fieldwork Experiences
The Campus Connections Program at UCCS matches current students with service-learning fieldwork opportunities, where they can mentor young people in the local community.

Mentors commit to spending four hours each week providing one-on-one therapeutic assistance that centers on academic, career, and social skill advancement. For more details, visit the Campus Connections page.


Admissions Details

How to Declare Your Human Services Minor

After being admitted as an undergraduate student to UCCS, schedule a time with your academic advisor to officially declare your Human Services minor.

Please contact the Human Services Program Coordinator within the Department of Counseling and Human Services for any questions about the Human Services minor.


Admissions Resources for New Students

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.

Additional resources for Admissions: