Human Services Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Services

The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a rewarding career in a wide variety of helping professions.^† Students are taught to develop their talents, assess clients’ needs, identify community resources, and problem solve and advocate for their client—all with the goal of making a difference in the lives of those unable to help themselves. Bachelor’s degree students will also study how to provide interventions and develop intervention strategies that guide this population to success.

Emphasis Areas | Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

Through the curriculum’s blending of theory and practice, students study how to critically explore the public and private policies that drive the day-to-day operations of human service agencies in this country and how they can best intervene on behalf of the clients they will serve. This program adheres to the curriculum standards of the Council of Standards in Human Service Education.* The program is designed to help you:

Apply critical thinking to real-world situations
Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical bases, best practices, and historical and current trends related to the human services profession
Identify, plan, and utilize resources to improve client situations
Behave professionally, ethically, and legally in the workplace
Utilize information and systems to appropriately manage and deliver human services
Understand the importance of culture, gender, diversity, and global perspectives when working with clients

What Are the Career Opportunities?

The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program is designed to prepare graduates with a broad understanding and the practical skills needed to make a positive impact on people’s lives in many areas of human services including mental health, social services, education, rehabilitation, group and community work, nursing homes, court systems, and public policy. Positions may include, but are not limited to, case manager, human services administrator, adult services worker, child welfare worker, program officer, and elderly services provider.^†

Emphasis Areas for the Bachelor of Science in Human Services

The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program offers three emphasis area options. Focus on an area of interest that best suits your career goals:

Explore management and administrative roles within the human services arena. The courses are designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills to work with diverse funding sources, influence policy, supervise staff, and advocate on behalf of those most vulnerable in our society. Graduates may assist in situations involving other agencies and players in the human services industry.

Focus on the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of humans during the aging process. This emphasis area supports students with an interest in working directly with the growing aging population and as advocates for seniors in our society. The courses are designed to prepare graduates to work with the change process of aging and address how the aging population impacts social policy and program delivery.

Concentrate on the complexities of issues facing children and families in our society. Graduates may assess, evaluate, intervene, and re-evaluate social structures, such as adoption, foster care, child protection, and reunification, as they work with children and families.

Human Services Administration
Gerontology
Child and Family Welfare

Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Human Services

Course #	Course Title	Credits
100/200-level	100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
	100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
	200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE

Course #	Course Title	Credits
CM 206	INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS	5 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS This course introduces students to the principles of interpersonal communication and emphasizes how to be a more effective communicator in professional and personal situations. Emphasis is on interpersonal communication in varying contexts, focusing on professional communication as well as personal, social, and cultural dimensions. Topics include the communication process, the influence of perception on communication, verbal and nonverbal elements of interaction, listening, the communication of emotions, conflict management, and effective communication strategies.
HN 115	HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM AND PROFESSION	5 HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM AND PROFESSION The course introduces students to the human services field and the Kaplan University human services degree programs. The field of study, skill sets, and the various human service agencies and diverse populations encountered in the field will be discussed. Students will research the human services degree and course offerings along with their professional and personal goals in order to map out their specific degree plan and career goals.
HN 144	HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE ENVIRONMENT	5 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE ENVIRONMENT Working as a human service professional demands an understanding of the differences and similarities in human behavior. This course will focus on the basic systems or influences that help to define, identity, and explain behavior. Students will examine how family structures, institutions, organizations, and communities contribute to the complex issues facing diverse populations in the twenty-first century. Students will examine ways to incorporate these theories to help them develop practical intervention skills.
HN 200	SURVEY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS	5 SURVEY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS The course exposes students to a broad array of social problems that affect the lives of many Americans. Students will gain insight and tools to analyze social problems, potential solutions, and the effects of these problems on individuals and society. Students will also reflect on their role as change agents for the clients with whom they work.
HN 205	APPLIED SKILLS FOR HUMAN SERVICES	5 APPLIED SKILLS FOR HUMAN SERVICES Students will gain an understanding of the basic interviewing skills and documentation techniques required of a human service worker. Students will learn how to respond to a variety of situations involving clients with different needs and backgrounds; ask probing questions to elicit the required information; and document the client's needs correctly, considering confidentiality, legal, and ethical implications. The course also addresses a number of other issues critical in human services such as problem solving, avoiding self-disclosure, and cultural sensitivity in verbal and nonverbal communications.
HN 220	PREVENTION AND CRISIS INTERVENTION	5 PREVENTION AND CRISIS INTERVENTION Students will learn appropriate and ethical prevention and intervention strategies. Using case studies and scenarios, students will identify risk factors that contribute to crisis situations and distinguish between intervention and prevention strategies. Particular attention is given to crisis situations involving youth, families, and the elderly in a variety of settings.
HN 300	HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL POLICY	6 HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL POLICY Students will explore the relationships between social policies, government, and the services provided by human services agencies. They will also analyze these relationships and their influence on service delivery. Students will gain an understanding of the history of social policies that have influenced ethical interventions with diverse populations.
HN 330	CASE MANAGEMENT IN HUMAN SERVICES	6 CASE MANAGEMENT IN HUMAN SERVICES Students will learn the importance of time management and how to prioritize and organize data, skills critical for working effectively with human services clients. Through the use of case studies, students will assess client needs and determine the types of data necessary to ensure the ethical delivery of services. Students will practice essential interviewing skills and explore best practices in recording data from these interviews.
HN 410	HUMAN SERVICES DELIVERY	6 HUMAN SERVICES DELIVERY This course focuses on a strategic approach to planning and evaluating the services delivered to clients. Topics will include the systems and practices found in human service agencies. Students will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to interpret the data they collect. Using real-world scenarios, students will design and evaluate ethical interventions for clients.
MM 207	STATISTICS	5 STATISTICS This course serves as an introduction to collecting, organizing and summarizing, and analyzing data using statistical software. Topics include basic terminology, measurement, sampling procedures, graphical and numerical descriptions of data, basic probability, and making inferences from a sample to the population. Statistical software is provided in the course and extensive use of that software is required. The course focuses on “thinking with” statistics rather than “computing” statistics.
PS 124	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	5 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.
	EMPHASIS AREA COURSES	24 EMPHASIS AREA COURSES
HN 499	BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE FOR HUMAN SERVICES	6 BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE FOR HUMAN SERVICES This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Human Services. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES	59 OPEN ELECTIVES

Course #	Course Title	Credits

HN 345	PUBLIC RELATIONS IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS	6 PUBLIC RELATIONS IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Students will acquire the skills administrators use to develop successful relationships with the community and media. They will develop effective public relations strategies for not-for-profit organizations. This will include distinguishing between audiences and tailoring the strategies appropriately. Students will also analyze the influence of the media on providing ethical services to clients.
HN 347	PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION	6 PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION Students will examine the complexities of public personnel issues faced by human services administrators. Through the use of case studies and activities, students will differentiate between the issues affecting the public and private sectors. Students will also create solutions to these issues.
HN 400	PROPOSAL DESIGNS FOR HUMAN SERVICES	6 PROPOSAL DESIGNS FOR HUMAN SERVICES Students will be introduced to a variety of proposal models used in human services. They will research potential funding opportunities that meet predetermined criteria. Students will analyze existing proposals and design a proposal with a focus specific to human services delivery programs.
HN 450	LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES	6 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

HN 360	THE AGING POPULATION AND SOCIETY	6 THE AGING POPULATION AND SOCIETY This course will focus on the fastest-growing population in the United States. Students will examine research in the field of gerontology and analyze the effects on society of serving the aging population. Topics include the health care system, the economy, legislation and social action, and the media's influence on society's perception of the elderly. Students will analyze the current issues that have shaped ethical interventions for the elderly in a global society.
HN 365	PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING	6 PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING This course focuses on developmental research about the psychological characteristics of aging. Students will explore common perceptions and misconceptions about development in later life, as well as the social and biological factors that contribute to the maturation of the aging person. Students will evaluate psychological theories that will aid them in developing ethical interventions.
HN 420	SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN AGING	6 SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN AGING This course explores the effects of aging on the elderly population's social, emotional, and physical health. Students will examine the influences of health, nutrition, and social relationships on adults in the later stages of life. Topics will include retirement, housing and transportation, leisure and recreation, family life, social support, elder abuse, bereavement, and death and dying. Using real-world scenarios, students will develop solutions to some of the dilemmas faced by this growing population.
HN 450	LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES	6 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

HN 370	CHILD WELFARE AND FAMILY	6 CHILD WELFARE AND FAMILY This course will assist students who will be working with children and their families in a human services setting. Students will examine how the family functions as a system and they will use this information to develop proper communication techniques and intervention skills for working with children and families. Students will design a list of resources and materials that will assist human service workers that choose to work with this population.
HN 377	STUDIES IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT	6 STUDIES IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT This course explores the various aspects of child and adolescent development, including the psychological, social, emotional, cognitive, and biological changes specific to these age groups. Students will identify milestones of development, typical and atypical behavior, and the interrelationship between the person, family, and community. Using real-world scenarios, students will design ethical interventions based on the theoretical understanding of this population.
HN 430	ADVOCACY FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH	6 ADVOCACY FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH Very often, human services professionals are called upon to be advocates for children and families in need. Advocates must know how to help others that cannot, for one reason or another, help themselves. In this course, students will be introduced to the roles and skills necessary to intervene on behalf of children and families as a human service professional. Students will analyze the influence of biological, social, economic, and cultural forces on children and their families. As a result, students will design ethical interventions that will aid them in their role as an advocate for those in need.
HN 450	LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES	6 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

Total Program Requirements	180 Total Program Requirements

Core
Major
Open Electives
Emphasis Area/Human Services Administration
Emphasis Area/Gerontology
Emphasis Area/Child and Family Welfare
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Bachelor of Science in Human Services	180
Total cost of tuition	$66,780.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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*This program is not accredited by the Council of Standards in Human Service Education.
^†Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.

Bachelor of Science in Human Services

College of Arts and Sciences