Human Services, BA

Woodring College of Education

What Is the Study of Human Services?

Human Services majors gain knowledge and expertise in case management and interventions, human development, applied research, agency management, program planning and evaluation and diversity and social justice. The program includes several quarters (360 hours) of practicum and
internship that integrates theory, knowledge, and skills with professional practice. Students also participate in a six-quarter sequence of study that examines the human services profession within the context of self and individuals, small groups, organizations, communities, and global systems. The curriculum is designed to meet National Standards in human services education as outlined by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, and prior to graduation students are required to develop a capstone portfolio demonstrating that they meet these standards.

Why Should I Consider this Major?

Are you interested in a career working to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, communities and organizations? Are you seeking a major that integrates a liberal arts education with professional practice? Do you learn effectively through student-centered activities that encourage
collaborative inquiry and active engagement to address real world problems? If so, you may want to consider a major in Human Services. Since the mid 1970’s, the Human Services major has attracted students with a strong commitment to social and economic justice, human dignity, self-determination, and the desire to support change through direct and indirect service delivery. Thousands of Human Services program graduates are currently working in meaningful positions in nonprofit, government, and community-based services.
 

How to Declare:

Application Requirements:

  1. Within 10 credits of satisfying the General University Requirements or within 5 credits of a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degree from a Washington State community college or equivalent by the start of your first quarter in the program
  2. A minimum GPA of 2.75 (ask about the program minimum GPA exceptions policy)
  3. A completed Human Services program application including essay
  4. A completed self-assessment of technology use
  5. Successful completion of a criminal background check that may include fingerprinting
  6. A signed contract indicating an understanding and intention to comply with the program’s essential functions and expectations for academic and professional performance while enrolled in the major

Application materials are available online at the Human Services website, www.wwu.edu/hs, and at Human Services offices in Bellingham, and Everett. Prospective students should contact a Human Services program coordinator at the location where they plan to complete their major prior to submitting application materials.

Advising Tips: Students desiring to enter the major are encouraged to take courses in related fields such as Comparative Gender and Multicultural Studies, Social Sciences, Humanities, Environmental Studies, and Communication. Many students elect to complete a minor that complements academic and professional interests related to Human Services. The Human Services Program is technology intensive, and all courses utilize the Blackboard course management system. Prior to entry, consider taking Student Technology Center workshops in MSWord, Access, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as courses on web design, imovie, and/or Photoshop.

Coursework

  • Core courses (24 credits) taken in sequential order over six quarters.
    • HSP 301 - Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems
    • HSP 303 - Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems
    • HSP 305 - Human Services Professionals and Small Group Systems
    • HSP 402 - Human Services Professionals Organizational Systems
    • HSP 404 - Human Services Professionals and Community Systems
    • HSP 406 - Human Services Professionals and Global Systems
  • Other required courses (31 credits):
    • HSP 302 - Introduction to Human Services
    • HSP 315 - Human Development and Human Services
    • HSP 325 - Interviewing for Human Services
    • HSP 345 - Case Management and Interventions
    • HSP 385 - Applied Research Methods
    • HSP 435 - Human Services and Management
    • HSP 455 - Diversity & Social Justice Dynamics
    • HSP 485 - Program Planning and Evaluation
  • Field study (16 credits):
    • HSP 340 - Practicum and Seminar I
    • HSP 341 - Practicum and Seminar II provide entry level skills prior to internship;
    • HSP 440 - Internship and Seminar (repeatable to 12 credits; 8 credits required) students spend 12 hours per week gaining professional experience in an approved human services setting
  • Capstone portfolio (5 credits):
    • HSP 304 - Portfolio Learning in Human Services
    • HSP 495 - Capstone Portfolio

This introduces students to portfolio learning. Students create portfolio artifacts throughout the major curriculum, and then revise and complete portfolios in a capstone course.

GURs:

The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.

There are no courses offered within this major that also satusfy GUR requirements.
 

We live in a diverse culture and if you are somebody passionate about social justice issues, which a lot of our student are, then you have to get out there and engage with a variety of populations and a variety of issues and gain some experiences that are different from your particular background where you grew up.

- Dr. Diana Jones, Faculty

I’m inspired pretty much every time I have class or intereact with my fellow students or teachers [at Western] because they do amazing things in the community…I’m inspired on a daily basis by all the great things they do.  They work with all sorts of different types of populations.  Human Services is really broad…you work with people with disabilities.  You work with people suffering from poverty; domestic violence.  There is just a really broad range of populations.  Diversity really comes in.

- Carly Schmidt, Student

Notable Alumni

Jane Hinton

Family Support Director with Center for Human Services in Shoreline WA

Responsible for overall management of three family support centers.

Jeri Bonkoski

Skagit County Public Defender

Graduated with her BA, HSP major, in 2001 and went on to obtain her JD.

Sample Careers

  • Children, Youth, and Family Services
  • Veterans Services
  • Mental Health
  • International Relief
  • Rehabilitation Counseling & Disability Services
  • Corrections & Law Enforcement
  • Community Development & Organizing
  • Faith-Based Services
  • Human Resources
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Non-Profit Organization Administrator

Department

Contact

Bellingham Program Contact:

Misti Williams
MH 318C, (360) 650-7759
hs.bellingham@wwu.edu

Everett Program Contact:

Lilla Bodo
(425-259-8919)
hs.everett@wwu.edu

Distance-Learning Contact:

(360) 650-7487
hs.distance@wwu.edu