Human Services Major

Overview: The Human Services major is ideal for students considering a career in human services, as well as for students who already have experience in human services. Students new to the field will gain an excellent foundation in theory and practice related to human services, and will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience through practicums and field-based learning options. Students already experienced in human services, can use and build upon their work experiences while acquiring new knowledge, skills, and the direction needed to move into new or more advanced positions in the field.

The content of the major has been constructed to match workforce needs. It is designed to provide professional orientation to the context and core values of human services practice, and to the theoretical models and knowledge about individuals and society that form the foundation for human service education and work. As students progress through the curriculum, they will build on this foundation by integrating and applying these theories to work with individuals, groups and agencies and developing knowledge of issues in human services.

The Human Services major at the College of Public and Community Service is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need for employment in a wide range of social and government agencies, or for graduate study in social work, sociology, psychology, education, or other related fields.

Human Services continues to be one of the fastest growing employment fields in Massachusetts and the nation. Human service providers work in a diversity of settings, from state agencies to substance abuse programs to counseling and educational programs. Within these areas, human service workers carry out many different roles from, counseling and intervention, to management or program development.

 

Human Services Requirements

All Human Service majors complete 6 of the following:

Human Development
Delivery of Services
Development of Human Services
Social Construction of Relationships
Life Stages
Responsibility and Ethics in Human Services
Case Management in Human Services
Human Services Intervention I
Human Services Intervention II

To complete the major, students may select one of the following concentrations:

Gerontology
Legal Advocacy
Management
Organizing
Planning
Training and Development
Youth Work