
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.
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.
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
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
More Information on Human Services Degree
TUITION
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ACCREDITATION
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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!
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