The major in Human Service is committed to preparing students to achieve the following learning objectives:
- Acquire theoretical knowledge and understanding of the interconnectedness of human service systems at various levels, encompassing individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal dynamics.
- Acquire the skills to assess client needs, design and execute appropriate interventions, and evaluate their outcomes.
- Develop an understanding of the diversity of human experiences and cultivate the ability to work professionally, ethically and effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds and needs.
- Develop the ability to identify, evaluate, and effectively use relevant information from various sources in human service practice.
- Develop essential interpersonal skills necessary for providing effective care and fostering collaboration within the human service field.
- Acquire the leadership skills to ethically guide teams, advocate for clients, and proficiently navigate the administrative aspects of human service delivery.
The major in Human Service provides a strong undergraduate foundation for graduate professional education in a variety of health and human service-related fields, including adjustment counseling, counseling psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, school psychology, social work, special education, and speech-language pathology.
Required Courses (13 Courses)
Recommended Courses (Not Required)
Career Readiness
A significant component of the Human Services curriculum is its culmination in a semester-long internship that enables students to develop and refine the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary for working as human service professionals in a variety of service settings. A specific emphasis in the HUS curriculum focuses on developing competencies for working with children and adults in human service settings. After completion of the undergraduate program in Human Services, students are prepared to work in a wide range of human service professions serving children and adults in community and health and human-service organizations.
Credentialing
Students graduating with a major in Human Services and who have completed 350 hours of related work experience post-graduation are eligible to sit for the examination that leads to achievement of the Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) credential. With increased competition in the growing field of human services, practitioners are finding that board certification in human services demonstrates attainment of high standards and a commitment to maintaining their knowledge and skills to remain effective in the helping professions. The independent HS-BCP credential allows human services practitioners to stand out as a part of a distinguished group known for their commitment to the field. More information on the HS-BCP can be found at http://www.cce-global.org/Credentialing/HSBCP
Students majoring in HUS and interested in working in the field of alcohol and substance abuse treatment may take HUS 431: Treatment Strategies and Interventions for Substance Use Disorders and complete an internship in a substance use treatment agency. If students wish to pursue a credential as a Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor (CADC) in Massachusetts they may find more information regarding the work experience and exam requirements at https://mbsacc.com. Students interested in working beyond Massachusetts should examine requirements in other states. The International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium provides information and an examination that has reciprocity in multiple states. See https://internationalcredentialing.org. All students should work with an academic advisor to plan an appropriate program of study.
Students who complete the course, HUS/SOC/CRM 301 Victim Advocacy: Working with Survivors of Violence will be eligible, at minimum, for the NACP Provisional Credential as a Victim Advocate, but potentially at a higher level of Credentialing based upon their verifiable field experience. For more information, please visit https://www.thenacp.org/