Course Descriptions

HUS1001 Introduction to Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

The introductory course in Human Services provides a survey of human services as an impactful profession. It provides fundamental knowledge into self and with the applicable skills towards advancing knowledge, ethical values, and practical experiences necessary to successfully assist others individually and collectively.

Prerequisite: This course should be taken in the student's first quarter

HUS1175 Developing Awareness and Understanding
40 hours, 4 credits

Discovering the inner workings of oneself is a necessary step to providing the best support to others. This course will guide students through a process of self-discovery that will help them identify how their values, biases, strengths, and weaknesses can impact their personal and professional relationships. Topics covered include methods to recognize and address conflicts, the value in responding with empathy, and the importance of maintaining a work/life balance.

HUS1238 Evolving Populations in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will explore the various situations and human beings with which Human Services professionals may work. Students will also explore the types of positions they can fill in a human services organization targeting a specific population of individuals.

HUS1320 Introductory Strategies to Crisis Intervention
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will examine the impact of crisis and trauma on individuals. Students will gain an understanding of the theories and necessary crisis intervention skills, and they will explore the application of these skills in crisis situations.

Prerequisite: HUS1001

HUS1461 Perspectives on Human Behavior
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will introduce prospective Human Services professionals to knowledge of behavior at individual, group, and societal levels. This course focuses on theories and knowledge relative to the biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural characteristics evident in many facets of contemporary society.

HUS1632 Working with Clients
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will introduce students to communication techniques and practical skills used in human services. Students will gain insight into the scope of daily work activities performed by a human services professional and begin to practice and develop their own communication tools for use in the field.

HUS2409 Micro and Macro Systems in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will cover the different systems that interact to form the client experience. Students will evaluate the different types of personal and social systems that impact clients in a holistic and inclusive manner. Students will also evaluate their own life systems and discuss how they may impact their experiences with the clients.

HUS2627 Principles of Ethical and Legal Practices in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will look at professional standards of practice and common legal considerations within the Human Services profession. Using applicable laws, the Human Services Code of Ethics, and real-life scenarios, students will learn to identify common mistakes that could lead to serious consequences for them, their clients, the employer, and the community at large.

HUS2834 Professional Practices in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will cover expectations, responsibilities, and skills that students will need to enter the human services field as an entry-level professional. Students will learn skills such as basic counseling, active listening, professional communication, and navigating ethical issues. Students will gain a more complete understanding and will have the basic skills to undertake the next level of professional development.

HUS2979 Human Services Associate Capstone
40 hours, 4 credits

The Human Services Associate Capstone course is a culmination of all that has been covered in the Human Services Associate’s degree. Through an integrated case study assessment, students will have the opportunity to showcase their mastery of the competencies throughout the program. The course is an in-depth, student-centered experience which requires the integration of theory and practical experience. Students will be assessed on their ability to apply all they have learned to a real- life assessment of a human services case.

Prerequisite: This course should be taken in the student’s final quarter

HUS3000 Ethics and Professionalism in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will uphold ethical and professional standards for accurately conducting and documenting interactions with clients. It will address mandated reporting and protecting confidentiality throughout the intervention process. It will also focus on creating and maintaining professional boundaries and positive relationships with clients and colleagues.

Prerequisite: SYG1000

HUS3025 Interpersonal Relations for Helping Professions
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will explain the importance of establishing strong interpersonal relationships within human services. It will prepare students to develop techniques to interact effectively with others by looking closely at their own values, belief systems and background. Students will adopt supportive communication strategies to motivate others and improve relationships.

Prerequisite: PSY1012

HUS3110 Human Development Throughout the Lifespan
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will explain theories for how individuals develop throughout the lifespan and how variables such as environment and culture impact all areas of development. It will include how to observe individuals and contextualize their developmental histories to identify needs both one-on- one and in groups.

HUS3120 Human Sexuality
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will develop an awareness of historical, current, and cross-cultural perspectives on human sexuality. They will work through their initial reactions to individuals with different gender identities, sexual orientation, sexual behaviors, and experiences with sexual abuse. They will also acknowledge personal biases that may be barriers to working with others. Finally, they will also practice using effective techniques to address sexuality related needs of clients.

HUS3130 Theoretical Approaches to Service Delivery
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will explore a variety of theoretical approaches for treatment and intervention service delivery in the human services and use them to address individual client needs. They will practice using approaches for short-term solutions, culturally diverse clients, and behavior change. Students will also practice assessing a human services agency’s theoretical approach and creating a plan to prepare themselves to successfully implement the approach in practice.

HUS3260 Dynamics of Human Ecosystems
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will view individuals through a systems theory lens focusing on an ecological systems theoretical perspective. It will provide students with an opportunity see how an individual’s multiple dimensions interact and enable them to make change in their lives. It will assist students to identify an individual’s behavior patterns and strengths based upon the interactions of their related systems.

Prerequisite: HUS3130

HUS3270 Working with Special Populations
40 hours, 4 credits

This course presents the principles and concepts of vulnerability as it relates to helping professions and Human Services. This course offers a general framework to study vulnerable populations and a comprehensive overview of risk factors for vulnerability and consequences of disparities in the United States. Through self-reflection, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with vulnerable populations by adapting strategies to meet the needs of diverse populations.

HUS3340 Models and Techniques of Effective Helping
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will develop the day-to-day skills necessary to work one on one with clients. Practice includes building rapport, guiding conversations, and establishing clear boundaries and expectations for relationships with clients. They will also practice self-care by setting goals, acknowledging personal limitations, organizing their time, and creating a support network. They will also practice managing stress using strategies that work best for them to help prevent burnout in the field.

HUS3350 Applied Human Communication
40 hours, 4 credits

This course examines objective, professional verbal and nonverbal language when interacting with clients. Students will assess intercultural communication and strategies to manage personal biases when interacting with others. They will analyze the different types of communication and how different communication strategies may be necessary based on the situation. They will also practice using clear, concise, objective language to create goals, intervention plans, document interactions with clients, and explore all other types of communication used in the field.

HUS4000 Social Problems and Advocacy
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will assess social problems from multiple perspectives and advocate for societal change to resolve social problems at a local, national, and global level. Perspectives include systems, historical, and sociological perspectives to analyze the root causes of the problem, the institutions and issues that compound the problem, and different ways of viewing and addressing the problem. Students will also practice selecting appropriate advocacy strategies and settings in which to effectively advocate for change.

HUS4130 Research Methodology in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will demonstrate understanding of the basic scientific method. Students will identify basic types of research including descriptive, correlational and experimental. Students will develop a basic experimental or correlational study. They will critically evaluate a variety of published studies. Students will be introduced to data gathering techniques such as survey direct observation and sampling. Students will locate relevant studies for the clinical and community intervention. Students will develop basic research questions and formulate null and alternative hypotheses. They will develop basic research methods for evaluating the hypotheses, demonstrating how to reject and fail to reject each.

Prerequisites: HUS3130; HUS3260

HUS4140 Practical Application of Assessment and Evaluation
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will uphold ethical and professional standards for accurately conducting and documenting interactions with clients. It will address mandated reporting and protecting confidentiality throughout the intervention process. It will also focus on creating and maintaining professional boundaries and positive relationships with clients and colleagues.

HUS4220 Intervention Strategies and Resources
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will practice enabling clients to move through the stages of change and implement treatment plans to improve the quality of their lives. Practice includes using motivational interviewing strategies to help build self-efficacy and autonomy and to work through any conflicts between clients’ values, ideas, and behaviors. Students will also practice collaboratively creating treatment plans with clients. This includes defining goals and priorities, locating appropriate resources, and determining ways to measure progress.

Prerequisite: HUS4140

HUS4230 Administration and Management in Human Services
40 hours, 4 credits

This course examines the Human Services Professional as a strategic, ethical leader. They will practice designing programs, implementation, and evaluation plans to address a community need. Students will practice maintaining the responsibilities of a Human Services Practitioner, including leadership, management, operation, and practice in the field.

HUS4300 Case Management in Practice
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will practice integrating the skills they need to work effectively with clients as general case workers in human services. They will practice managing multiple complex cases to effectively prioritize and address individual client needs. This practice includes assessing needs, identifying strengths, creating appropriate service plans, and coordinating and monitoring progress. It also includes completing documentation to communicate case work. Students will also practice using effective helping skills to manage their cases and effectively address client needs.

HUS4440 Pathways to Career Success
40 hours, 4 credits

In this course, students will assess their personal values, beliefs, and interests in human services and create a relevant career path for their professional development. Practice includes exploring potential career opportunities and selecting specific populations to serve, needs to address, and settings to work in. They will also create career-related goals, assess current strengths and growth opportunities, and identify strategies to address potential challenges they may encounter in the profession.

HUS4450 Human Services Capstone II
30 hours, 3 credits

The capstone course represents the final milestone in the Human Services Bachelor’s program. Students will integrate the knowledge and skills gained to demonstrate achievement of the program outcomes. This course will provide students with an opportunity to integrate learning, skills, and knowledge from the Human Services Program in the form of a Capstone Project. Through case analysis, class discussion, reflective exercises and a research project, students will synthesize and demonstrate their understanding of core Human Services concepts via completion of a Capstone project approved by the instructor. They will support their work by demonstrating their transferable skills including critical thinking, digital fluency, information literacy, ethics, communication, and diversity to support practice as a professional in the field of Human Services.

Prerequisites: HUS3000; HUS4130; Expected to be the final upper-level core course completed