Associate of Applied Science in Human Services

The education of a human services professional integrates both theory and practice. Students are exposed to basic ideas and concepts in the classroom, and then have the opportunity to put those ideas and concepts to practical use in actual work settings.

Career Opportunities

A human services professional is an agent of change trained to help individuals cope with difficult situations using problem-solving skills and community resources to improve the person’s or family’s quality of life. Human services workers advocate change. They are trained as generalists, learning how to identify client needs and develop connections with the appropriate human services programs and professionals that can address these concerns on an individual basis.

Human services graduates are employed in entry-level positions in social and human services agencies. Career opportunities exist in halfway houses and group homes; correctional, mental retardation and community mental health centers; family, child and youth service agencies; alcoholism, drug abuse and family violence programs, and programs providing services for the elderly.

Curriculum

Designed to provide a basic college education, the human services curriculum is founded on the concept of critical thinking. Students will learn to evaluate information or situations from different points of view and come to an independent, but reasoned conclusion. The degree program also provides students with basic practical human services skills, such as case management techniques. Students complete courses in psychology, sociology and social work.

The human services degree program includes a 120-hour supervised field experience at a local human services agency, where the student receives real world training to prepare for employment. The two-year degree has been designed to be applied toward four-year degree programs, including BGSU’s social work program.

The human services degree program is an excellent way to explore several of the social sciences. It is also well suited to students who want the security of earning a practical degree.

Students pursuing the associate of applied science in human services degree program complete a minimum of 62 credit hours in the following areas:

Communications (6 hours minimum)

Varieties of Writing (3)
Interpersonal Communication (3)

BG Perspective (10 hours minimum)

Introduction to Biology (4)
Natural science elective (3/5)
Humanities elective (3)

Basic Courses (15 hours minimum)

Computer Basics (3)
Introduction to Statistics (3)
Introduction to Ethics (3)
American Government (3)
Principles of Sociology (3)

Professional Core (25 hours minimum)

General Psychology (4)
Intro to the Social Work Profession (3)
Interviewing/Observation (3)
Abnormal Psychology (3)
Introduction to Economics (3)
Social Psychology (3)
Lifespan Development (3) or Behavior/Social Environment I or II (3)
Human Services Practicum (3) or Social Work Practice II (3)

Professional Electives (6 hours minimum)

Select one course from PSYC 303, 305, or any other PSYC course, SOC 202, 231, 361, or any program core course for social work listed by the College of Health and Human Services.

For Further Information

Debralee Divers
Director
Admissions & Financial Aid
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0683
email: divers@bgsu.edu

Cheryl L. Chafee
Officer
Admissions & Financial Aid
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0683
email: cchafee@bgsu.edu

Dr. Tatiana W. Panas
Program Director
Psychology
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0707
email: twanshu@bgsu.edu

Dr. Christopher J. Mruk
Program Advisor
Psychology
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0612
email: cmruk@bgsu.edu

NOTE: Information in this guide is subject to change without notice. To learn more about the official program of study, please check the undergraduate catalog online: http://www.bgsu.edu/catalog - Updated 01/31/07