Major in Human Services
Bachelor of Science
This degree is intended for students who are interested and/or employed in the
human services field. It provides students with practical skills and preparation
in a number of key areas essential to effective practice as a human service
professional in community-based agencies. In addition to the core coursework
in the human services major, students must complete 12 semester hours in a specialization.
Current specializations include Youth Development, Programming, and Management.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is open to students who hold a high school diploma
or GED certificate and meet one or more of the following requirements:
- Have a transfer grade point average
of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for any previous college work.
- Are currently employed in human
services practice for (5) years; or employed in a closely related field. Note:
A combination of employment and volunteer service may be substituted for this
admission requirement with the approval of the Human Services Program Committee.
- Provide evidence of aspiring to
the educational goals of the human services degree program, and of the necessary
commitment to address the demands of the program (interview with program faculty,
personal essay, or letters of recommendation).
- Demonstrate appropriate skills
in English composition and math as determined by University placement [proficiency
exams] or other measures approved by the Human Services Program Committee.
Coursework Requirements
Core Courses: (37 semester hours)
All students must complete HMS2050
Contemporary Issues in Human Services and HMS4990
Professional Human Services Practice Seminar Capstone. Transfer work may be
substituted for up to three of the remaining core courses if approved by the
Human Services Program Committee as related to the student's academic program.
HMS2050 Contemporary Issues in Human
Services (4)
HMS2100 Software and Technology for
Nonprofits (3)
HMS2200 GroupWork (3)
HMS3300 Mediation and Conflict Resolution
(3)
HMS3350 Development and Fundraising
Strategies for Nonprofits (3)
HMS3500 Legal Issues and Advocacy
for Nonprofits (3)
HMS3800 Effective Nonprofit Management
(3)
HMS4000 Financial and Quantitative
Basis of Management (3)
HMS4200 The Community Environment
(3)
HMS4300 Programming, Supervision,
and Evaluation (3)
HMS4750 Senior Project Practicum
in Human Services (3)
HMS4990 Professional Human Services
Practice Seminar Capstone (3)
Career Investigation/Field Experience Practicum or Professional Assessment
Portfolio Requirement:
In addition to the above 37 semester hours students must complete three semester
hours of career investigation/field experience.
- Students with less than five years
of human services experience must complete HMS2750
in their sophomore year and HMS3750
in their junior year.
- HMS2750
Sophomore Career Investigation Field Experience Practicum (1)
- HMS3750
Junior Career Investigation Field Experience Practicum (2)
- Students who have completed five
or more years as a human services professional/volunteer will qualify to take
HMS 3900.
- HMS3900
Assessment of Human Services Work/Volunteer Experience (3)
Youth Development, Programming and Management Specialization:
In addition to the core courses and career investigation/field experience
practicum or professional assessment portfolio requirements, students complete
12 semester hours of approved specialization electives, distributed as follows:
REC2080 Community First Aid and Adult/Child
CPR (2)
HMS2400 Youth Development (3)
HMS2600 Activities for Youth Development
(3)
HMS3600 Diversity and Special Populations
(3)
A (1-3) semester hour elective of other approved coursework related to the
youth development field, but not specifically falling within the categories
listed above.
Course and Program Format:
Each core course incorporates one or more assignments that provide opportunities
for students to apply the learning of the course to a project in the human
services workplace. Students incorporate final reports or other assignments
from these projects into their graduation portfolios
Elective courses are in some cases
developed by participating agencies with University approval. Students register
through the University for these courses, which may be taught on-site at a participating
agency.
Practicum may be used to meet elective requirements, with the prior approval
of the Human Services Program Committee. If elected by the student, practicum
can usually be completed in the agency where the student is employed. Work assignments
in connection with the practicum must provide opportunities for new learning
appropriate to the human services degree outcomes and the student's educational
and professional goals.
Professional Competencies:
All Human Services graduates are required to demonstrate competence in several
areas considered essential for effective performance in the field.
- Oral Communication/Presentations
- Project Management skills
- Writing skills (required prior
to enrollment in HMS3900)
- Math proficiency (required prior
to enrollment in HMS3800)
These competencies may be demonstrated
by presentation of coursework or through various demonstrations of competence
or certification as approved by the Human Services Program Committee.
General Degree Requirements:
All students must complete the Aurora University general education requirements
prior to graduation. Satisfying these requirements may include Aurora University
coursework, college transfer work from accredited institutions, credit for prior
learning, and examination credit.
As part of the requirements of HMS4990,
students complete a professional graduation portfolio, which includes demonstrating
their grasp of the Domains of General Education at Aurora University in the
context of their major coursework and in relation to their personal and professional
goals.
Posted
31 December 2003
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