Human Services Degree

Program Overview

Southern New Hampshire University's online Bachelor of Arts in Human Services equips students with the knowledge and skills to assist individuals, families, and groups in need. The program offers a solid foundation in human services principles, cultural awareness, and legal and ethical standards. Students can specialize in areas such as Child and Family Services, Gerontology, or Substance Abuse. Experiential learning opportunities, including field placements and internships, provide hands-on experience in the field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Southern New Hampshire University's online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Human Services degree provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help individuals, families, and groups in need. The program is designed to prepare students for careers as human services professionals, including caseworkers, community outreach workers, group home workers, mental health aides, and probation officers. Upon graduating, students will have a solid understanding of the social, political, and historical trends that have shaped the field of human services, as well as the cultural awareness and communication strategies needed to work effectively with diverse populations. They will also be proficient in the legal and ethical standards that govern human services practice, and the importance of advocacy for the traditionally underserved.

Outline:

The Human Services BA program is a 120-credit program that can be completed in as little as four years of full-time study. The program is divided into four areas of study:

• Core Courses: Core courses provide students with a foundation in the knowledge and skills essential to all human services professionals.
These courses include:
• Introduction to Human Services
• Human Services Organizational Systems
• Public Policy and Advocacy
• Law and Ethics in Human Services
• Case Management
• Human Services Capstone
• General Education Courses: General education courses provide students with a broad understanding of the liberal arts and sciences.
These courses include:
• English Composition
• Mathematics
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Concentration Courses: Concentration courses allow students to specialize in a particular area of human services.
Students can choose from the following concentrations:
• Child and Family Services
• Gerontology
• Substance Abuse
• Experiential Learning: Experiential learning opportunities are integrated throughout the program to provide students with hands-on experience in the field.
These opportunities include:
• Field placements
• Internships
• Service-learning projects

Assessment:

Students in the Human Services BA program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams: Exams are used to assess students' knowledge of the material covered in class.
• Papers: Papers are used to assess students' ability to research, analyze, and write about human services issues.
• Projects: Projects are used to assess students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations.
• Presentations: Presentations are used to assess students' ability to communicate their ideas effectively.

Teaching:

The Human Services BA program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education. Faculty members use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce new material and to provide students with a framework for understanding the material.
• Discussions: Discussions are used to encourage students to share their ideas and to engage with the material in a deeper way.
• Group work: Group work is used to provide students with opportunities to collaborate with their classmates and to develop their teamwork skills.
• Simulations: Simulations are used to provide students with a realistic experience of working in the field of human services.

Careers:

Graduates of the Human Services BA program are prepared for a variety of careers in the field of human services. Some common career paths include:

• Caseworker: Caseworkers provide direct services to individuals and families in need.
They may work in a variety of settings, including social services agencies, mental health clinics, and schools.
• Community outreach worker: Community outreach workers work to connect individuals and families with resources in the community.
They may work in a variety of settings, including community centers, homeless shelters, and food pantries.
• Group home worker: Group home workers provide care and support to individuals with disabilities or mental illness.
They may work in a variety of settings, including group homes, residential treatment centers, and assisted living facilities.
• Mental health aide: Mental health aides provide support to individuals with mental illness.
They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community mental health centers.
• Probation officer: Probation officers supervise individuals who have been placed on probation.
They may work in a variety of settings, including courts, jails, and community corrections agencies.