Drawing primarily from psychology and sociology, the Human Services program presents students with the interdisciplinary perspective necessary for the provision of human and social services to individuals and communities. The program curriculum fosters the development of knowledge, skills, and experiences required of professionals who work in public and private human service agencies and organizations. The major prepares students for entry-level positions in the human services – e.g., community mental health, psychological counseling, community social services, criminal justice, and other human welfare agency settings – as well as further graduate-level study. Career opportunities are available in case management, crisis counseling, direct service provision, administrative and supervisory roles, and related areas.
PSYC 108 – Life-Span Psychology
3 credit hours
Human development from conception to death (child, adolescent, adult psychology). Emphasis on the plasticity, multidimensionality, multi-directionality, and historical embeddedness of human change.
PSYC 221 – Introduction to Counseling
3 credit hours
An overview of current practices in personal and career counseling including basic counseling skills and contemporary professional issues. Emphasis on service to individuals.
PSYC 331 – Human Services in Contemporary America
3 credit hours
Survey of human service organizations, their historical development, relationship to professional societies, and diverse employment opportunities locally and nationally.
PSYC 348 – Crisis Intervention
3 credit hours
A skills-related counseling course to understand the bases of and practical techniques for crisis intervention and group facilitation
Prerequisite: PSYC 102
SOCI 123 – Sociology of Contemporary Issues
3 credit hours
Investigates current social problems with an analysis of causative factors and possible solutions. Topics covered will vary.
SOCI 217 – Ethnic & Race Relations
3 credit hours
Explores the historic and current problems faced by ethnic and racial minority groups in American society and beyond; the causes and consequences of prejudice and discrimination and the nature of current minority-majority interaction.
Same as PLSC 217
SOCI 219 – Sex & Gender in Society
3 credit hours
A sociological exploration of the changing roles of men and women. Examination of formation of male and female identity; problems encountered between men and women; interpersonal, romantic, and work relationships; and the implications of changing sex roles for major social institutions.
SOCI 220 – Social Organization
3 credit hours
A study of organizational society, its formal and informal structure, the development of bureaucracy, and the use and misuse of power.
SOCI 335 – Social Research Methods
3 credit hours
Presents the detailed logic underlying research design, data collection, and data analysis in sociological studies. The course addresses both quantitative (e.g., survey) and qualitative (e.g., participant observation) dimensions of research, and special emphasis is placed on research ethics.
Prerequisite: MATH 105 or consent of instructor
KINS 231 – Substance Abuse
3 credit hours
Study of alcohol and drug use with relevance to medical, psychological, sociological and legal dimensions in the United States with an emphasis on automobile-related issues.
KINS 208 – Leadership in Sport, Exercise, & Recreation
3 credit hours
Leadership theories and techniques for professionals working in the field of sport, exercise, and recreation. The course will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to enhance the performance of others, including students, athletes, clients, and consumers
KINS 210 – Camp Management & Outdoor Education
3 credit hours
Preparation for duties of camp counselors and camp leadership positions; practical experience built around camp craft skills for outdoor living.
KINS 336 – Organization & Administration of Physical Education
3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively manage physical education and athletic programs. Areas of focus include K-12 public and private schools, as well as, K-12 public and private recreational facilities.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
HS 390 – Human Services Practicum
3 credit hours
A capstone seminar course for Human Services majors. Students will be required to work a minimum of 100 hours field experience in an agency or organization providing individual and/or community human/social services. Further, students are expected to provide reflection on their field experience vis-a-vis the knowledge and skill sets gained through their program of study.
Select 2 of the following
KINS 334 – Tests & Measurements in Kinesiology
3 credit hours
Theory and practical application involving prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Required of all students seeking a coaching certification.
Prerequisite: MATH 102 or higher
PSYC 240 – Health Psychology
3 credit hours
Psychological contributions to understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of physical illness. Research addressing the reciprocal effects of behavior and physical health will be emphasized.
PSYC 305 – Theories & Systems of Counseling
3 credit hours
The emphasis of this course is counseling theories as applied to counseling individuals. An overview of the major theoretical perspectives on human behavior and individual counseling interventions. Counseling strategies and techniques associated with different theories will be discussed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 102
PSYC 322 – Multicultural Counseling Approaches
3 credit hours
Designed to help counselors and mental health practitioners maximize their effectiveness when working with a culturally diverse population.
Prerequisite: PSYC 221
PSYC 326 – Abnormal Psychology
3 credit hours
A study of major forms of psychological disorder in adults and children in the context of modern life. Attention to the genetic, socio-cultural, and psychological bases and amelioration of abnormality.
SOCI 211 – Introduction to Criminology
3 credit hours
Analyzes the meaning, identification and causes of crime and the role of social institutions in the control of crime and the correction of criminals.
SOCI 218 – Juvenile Delinquency
3 credit hours
An investigation of youth as both offenders and victims of crime; theories of juvenile delinquency; youth programs related to crime; the role of the school, the family, and the police; child abuse, runaways and street kids; juvenile gangs; the juvenile justice system; juvenile corrections, and an evaluation of preventive programs.
SOCI 311 – Marriage and Family
3 credit hours
Marriage and contemporary family life; exploration of questions, problems, and alternatives.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101, or SOCI 123, or consent of instructor
PSYC 102 – Intro to Psychology
3 credit hours
Introductory psychology with units in learning, human development, problem solving, perception, emotion, motivation, personality, social behavior, behavior disorders, and therapy.
PSYC 331 – Human Services in Contemporary America
3 credit hours
Survey of human service organizations, their historical development, relationship to professional societies, and diverse employment opportunities locally and nationally.
Pick 2 from following
PSYC 108 – Life-Span Psychology
3 credit hours
Human development from conception to death (child, adolescent, adult psychology). Emphasis on the plasticity, multidimensionality, multi-directionality, and historical embeddedness of human change.
PSYC 240 – Health Psychology
3 credit hours
Psychological contributions to understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of physical illness. Research addressing the reciprocal effects of behavior and physical health will be emphasized.
PSYC 326 – Abnormal Psychology
3 credit hours
A study of major forms of psychological disorder in adults and children in the context of modern life. Attention to the genetic, socio-cultural, and psychological bases and amelioration of abnormality.
PSYC 327 – Personality
3 credit hours
A survey of the major theories of personality, including but not limited to those of Freud, Jung, Skinner, Maslow, Adler, Fromm, Bandura, Allport, and Cattell.
Prerequisites: PSYC 102 or consent of instructor
Pick 2 more from the following
PSYC 221 – Introduction to Counseling
3 credit hours
An overview of current practices in personal and career counseling including basic counseling skills and contemporary professional issues. Emphasis on service to individuals.
PSYC 305 – Theories & Systems of Counseling
3 credit hours
The emphasis of this course is counseling theories as applied to counseling individuals. An overview of the major theoretical perspectives on human behavior and individual counseling interventions. Counseling strategies and techniques associated with different theories will be discussed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 102
PSYC 322 – Multicultural Counseling Approaches
3 credit hours
Designed to help counselors and mental health practitioners maximize their effectiveness when working with a culturally diverse population.
Prerequisite: PSYC 221
PSYC 348 – Crisis Intervention
3 credit hours
A skills-related counseling course to understand the bases of and practical techniques for crisis intervention and group facilitation
Prerequisite: PSYC 102