BS in Human Services

The Human Services Administration Concentration prepares current and future human services professionals in the public and private sectors to effectively shape and develop organizations with the ultimate goal of improving services and the effectiveness and efficiency of not-for-profit organizations. Courses in this concentration provide students with a better understanding of management and organizational behavior that is rooted in Christian leadership principles.

Administration Concentration Courses:

• SOSC 3073 — Management Issues
• SOSC 3603 — Community Development
• MGMT 3353 — Organizational Behavior
• MGMT 2013 — Principles of Management

Human Services majors interested in the helping professions may want to explore the Counseling Concentration. Counselors assist individuals and groups with personal, family, mental health, substance abuse, and career issues with the purpose of helping individuals live a healthy and productive life. SWU’s focus on being a Christ-centered institution translates to looking at the field of counseling as part of our distinct calling.

The counseling career field has a wide range of specializations, such as drug and alcohol addiction, family therapy, career counseling, personal counseling, crisis intervention, school/student guidance, clinical counseling, rehabilitation, and even life coaching. These jobs can be found in a variety of organizations, such as K-12 schools, colleges/universities, hospitals, mental health clinics, correction facilities, social service agencies, private practices, and churches/mission organizations.

At SWU, students can lay the foundation for a counseling career by earning a bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology or a related field, which can lead to entry-level positions. Becoming a licensed professional counselor typically requires at least a master’s degree.

Counseling Concentration Courses:

• PSYC 3713 — Introduction to Counseling
• PSYC 3753 — Practical Counseling Skills
• PSYC 3763 — Multicultural Counseling
• PSYC 3733 — Group Dynamics

The Criminal Justice Concentration is designed for human services majors interested in pursuing a human services career in professional settings involving human services and law enforcement. The concentration provides an excellent introduction to the field of criminal justice, which is very helpful for many human services fields where law enforcement is regularly involved. This concentration could also help prepare someone interested in criminal justice as a career.

Criminal Justice Concentration Courses:

• CRJS 1253 — Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CRJS 2283 — Police and Community
• CRJS 3353 — Juveniles and the Law
• PSYC 3353 — Forensic Psychology

The Marriage and Family Services Concentration provides the skills and knowledge needed by practitioners to work effectively with many of the demands families and couples are facing today. Students within this concentration will have strong characteristics of empathy, compassion and an interest in evidence-based strategies geared toward behavioral change. SWU’s emphasis on a Christian ethic of care is perfectly aligned with the needs of respecting and valuing what is important to couples and families while providing the support and empathy that serves to empower change.

Students who complete the Marriage and Family Services Concentration often go on to further studies in human growth and development, human services, family policy, social work, and family counseling.

Marriage and Family Services Concentration Courses:

• SOSC 2103 — Sex, Courtship, and Marriage
• PSYC 3103 — Child Development
• PSYC 3113 — Adolescent Development
• PSYC 3133 — Adult Development

The Specialized Concentration is designed for students who might transfer in multiple human services credits from a previous institution or earned associate degree. A specialized concentration can be built for these students based on the transfer work. Your academic success coach or academic advisor can evaluate your transfer credits and help you know if this is an option for you.