Bachelor's Degree in Human Services

Helping others...  getting people back on their feet... meeting human needs – this is what’s known as making a difference. To be involved in human services is to be a difference-maker. Are you ready to make a difference in the world with a human services major? If so, Cumberlands’ human services degree program is for you.

• Mission and Goals
• What is a Human Services Degree?
• What can I do with a Human Services Degree?
• Degree Requirements for Bachelor's in Human Services
• More Information on Human Services Degree

Mission and Goals

The mission of the bachelor's in human services is to provide students the opportunity to develop the foundation of knowledge and skills required to work within the helping profession. The Department’s curriculum emphasizes coursework that enhances self-awareness and increases understanding of personal values, while fostering appreciation of diversity and the needs of humanity. Human services majors are provided education in the areas of professional helping skills, behavioral theory and current social issues. Social workers degree majors are equipped to conduct ethical practice, establish appropriate boundaries and apply their skills within professional environments that offer to people.

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What is a Human Services Degree?

We apply a “generalist” approach to our human services major program. That means we believe social workers should share common knowledge, values, and skills that are generally transferable from one setting, population, geographical area, or problem situation to another. We work to ensure that, as a human services major, you will be prepared to integrate your knowledge, values, and skills to promote and enhance the social functioning of individuals, families, and communities.

As you pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, you will study with faculty members who are experienced professionals in  the field. Each one is equipped to offer their expertise through a curriculum based on a Christian perspective and an attitude of servant leadership. After you complete your  bachelor’s in human services program, you’ll be able to consider a variety of possibilities for employment or advanced study.

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WHAT CAN I DO WITH A HUMAN SERVICES DEGREE?

Wondering what kind of human services degree jobs there are waiting for you upon graduation? Whether you decide to earn your BA in human services or your BS in human services from University of the Cumberlands, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of careers, including:

SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICE ASSISTANTS¹

Employment of social and human service assistants is expected to grow 17% by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.

Much of the growth will be due to the needs of an aging population. An increase in number of older adults will cause growth in demand for social services. The elderly population often needs services such as adult day care and meal delivery. Social and human service assistants, who help find and provide these services, will be needed to meet this increased demand.

COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE OCCUPATIONS²

As more people seek treatment for their addictions and more drug offenders are sent to treatment programs rather than to jail, the result will be an increase in demand for community and social service occupations who work in treatment programs or work with people with addictions. Employment of community and social service occupations is projected to grow 12%, faster than the average for all occupations, and center around counselor and social worker occupations. Currently, the median annual salary for these community and social service occupations is $48,410.

CAREERS

• Social service worker
• Life skills instructor
• Adult daycare case manager
• Probation officer
• Mental health caseworker
• Intake interviewer
• Home health case manager
• Drug abuse counselor
• Family support worker

These are just a few of the careers in the field for human services degree holders. Each career centers on helping people in a structured, meaningful way.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of General Social & Human Services is expected to fill more than 389,800 openings by 2026.  When you complete one of the best human services degree programs available, you can ensure you’re ready to fill a leadership role in the industry.

"17 Percent"  Projected Growth Rate for Social and Human Service Assistants by 2030

¹Social and Human Service Assistants
²Community and Social Service Occupations

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Degree Requirements for Bachelor's in Human Services

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Human Services

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN HUMAN SERVICES – 33 hours 
Human Services Core Courses (33 hours): All of the following (30 hours) 

• HSRV 131     Survey of Human Services
• HSRV 234     Basic Counseling Skills 
• HSRV 331     Individuals & Families Assessment     
• HSRV 332     Group Dynamics     
• HSRV 335     Research Methods     
• HSRV 336     Human Services Administration     
• HSRV 338     Case Management     
• HSRV 436     Human Diversity 
• HSRV 461/462* Internship and Seminar or HSRV 439 Professionalism with an additional 300-400 level course (to be approved by advisor) 

One of the following (3 hours) 

• HSRV 237     Human Behavior in the Social Environment 
• PSYC 232     Child and Adolescent Development (for students taking counseling concentration) 

*Internship is a required course for the major and is viewed as an invaluable tool to prepare students for employment in human services. The Human Services Department reserves the right to require alternative coursework in lieu of internship placement when the Department feels this is in the best interest of either the student or the Department. Any student with extenuating and verifiable circumstances which may prevent him/her from successfully completing an internship placement may complete an Internship Exclusion Application and submit it to the Department Chair for consideration. 
**HSRV 335 Social Research is recommended for students going on to graduate school. 
NOTE: Courses used as part of a concentration area (below) cannot be counted in the 33-hour Core. 
 
INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT 
Students who do not meet the placement guidelines (including academic performance and recommendations) for HSRV 461/462 Internship and Seminar may enroll instead in HSRV 439 to fulfill part of the core requirements for the Human Services major. This course may also serve as an elective for minors. See the Department Chair for more information concerning internship placement. 

Bachelor of Science with the Concentrations: 

Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Human Services - Human Services 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN HUMAN SERVICES – 51 hours 

NOTE: Students completing a concentration in Human Services do not need to complete a minor in order to graduate. Completion of the Human Services Core Courses (33 hours; See above.)

• SOCI 131     Introduction to Sociology 
• HSRV 236     Experiential Opportunities
• HSRV 402     Human Tragedies and Interventions 
• HSRV 404     Understanding Child Maltreatment 
• HSRV 430     Human Services in Schools 
• HSRV 431     Spirituality and Values in the Helping Profession 
• HSRV 432     Addictions and Recovery 
• HSRV 433     Social Policy 
• HSRV 437     Mental Health 
• HSRV 438     Applied Interventions 
• MATH 335     Introduction to Probability and Statistics 

 Note: A statistics course is recommended for those intending to pursue graduate studies

Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Human Services - Mental Health Concentration 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN HUMAN SERVICES – 51 hours

NOTE: Students completing a concentration in Human Services do not need to complete a minor in order to graduate. Completion of the Human Services Core Courses (33 hours; See above.)

• HSRV 236     Experiential Opportunities
• PSYC 435     Abnormal Psychology 
• COUN 445     Grief and Crisis 
• COUN 432     Addiction and Recovery 
• COUN 431     Spirituality and Values in the Helping Profession 
• COUN 451     Marriage and Family Counseling 
• COUN 458     Child and Adolescent Counseling 

Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Human Services - Addictions Concentration 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN HUMAN SERVICES – 51 hours 

NOTE: Students completing a concentration in Human Services do not need to complete a minor in order to graduate. Completion of the Human Services Core Courses (33 hours; See above.)

• HSRV 236     Experiential Opportunities
• PSYC 435     Abnormal Psychology 
• COUN 445     Grief and Crisis 
• COUN 432     Addiction and Recovery 
• COUN 431     Spirituality and Values in the Helping Profession 
• COUN 451     Marriage and Family Counseling 
• COUN 457     Drug Abuse Education and Prevention 

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Human Services 

Completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree plus a world language through the intermediate level.

Minor in Human Services

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN HUMAN SERVICES – 24 semester hours: 
Human Services Core Courses (18 hours) 

• SOCI 131     Introduction to Sociology 
• HSRV 131     Survey of Human Services 
• HSRV 234     Basic Counseling Skills 
• HSRV 237     Human Behavior & the Social Environment 
• HSRV 331     Individuals and Families Assessment 
• HSRV 338     Case Management 

Two Additional Electives from Human Services (6 hours) 

• HSRV 236     Experiential Opportunities
• HSRV 332     Groups Dynamics 
• HSRV 432     Addictions and Recovery 
• HSRV 433     Social Policy Analysis 

Associate with of Science with a Major in Human Services 

REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN HUMAN SERVICES – 18 semester hours: 
Human Services Core Courses (18 hours)

• SOCI 131     Introduction to Sociology 
• HSRV 131     Survey of Human Services 
• HSRV 234     Basic Counseling Skills 
• HSRV 237     Human Behavior & the Social Environment 
• HSRV 332     Groups Dynamics 
• HSRV 331     Individuals and Families Assessment 

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More Information on Human Services Degree

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

ACCREDITATION 

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

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Are you ready to make a difference on campus and help humanity through the human services industry?  Want to see what you could accomplish with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Human Services? Want to learn more about our test-optional college admissions process? If so, fill out the form on this page and find out how UC can help you develop and pursue your passion!