The Program

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services (BAS)
  
• Associate of Applied Science in Human Services (AAS)

Associate Professor Brian Ogawa, Chair
Professor Rick Ellis
Professor Dan Petersen
Associate Professor Deborah Altus
Associate Professor Diane McMillen
Associate Professor Iris Wilkinson
Instructor Jacqueline Ford

Mission

The mission of the Human Services Department is to provide a students with the knowledge and skills to become effective, ethical, and compassionate human service professionals who engage in creative approaches to social change and advocacy to meet diverse individual and societal needs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Human Services students at Washburn University, upon graduation, are expected to have:

• analyzed the theoretical roots of human service, including major concepts, theories, and research from various professions and disciplines;
  
• acquired knowledge of and evaluated the major
  current issues and problems in human services, and the ways they are currently being addressed by social policies and programs;
  
• synthesized knowledge of a variety of individual and systemic approaches for dealing with human problems;
  
• developed interpersonal skills in establishing relationships with people of diverse backgrounds;
  
• demonstrated the ability to use a broad interdisciplinary/ecological perspective in defining problems, tracing etiology, and planning interventions and prevention actions; and
  
• demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral forms.

Degree Requirements

Students combine general education, human services coursework, and internships with a specific emphasis in one or more of the following areas as part of their individualized program of study: Addiction Counseling, Developmental Disabilities, Gerontology/Aging, Mental Health, Youth Services, and Victim/Survivor Services. The degree programs emphasize a multidisciplinary perspective, preparing students to assist people and their communities to function as effectively as possible. Recommended and required coursework focus on knowledge and skills in human behavior, group dynamics, organizational behavior, and community systems. Students should refer to the specific General Education Requirements for the University and consult with their Faculty Advisor for specific Department requirements. Coursework in psychology, sociology, communication, biology, political science, social work, mass media, business, or other areas may be recommended or required.

Associate of Applied Science in Human Services

A minimum of 62 hours is required for completion of the Associate degree. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services (AAS) includes 26 credit hours of University and general education requirements. Students majoring in Human Services must complete a minimum of 27 hours of credit in the department. These hours must include HS 100, 131, 250, 251, 280 and 281. Nine additional hours must be selected, to develop an emphasis area, in consultation with a faculty advisor. At least six credit hours for the emphasis area must be taken in the Human Services Department. Possible options include, but are not limited to, addiction counseling, youth services, gerontology, victim/survivor services, mental health, or developmental disabilities. Majors are encouraged to take OA 128 or CM 101, or show proficiency in working with computer applications. Students must receive a grade of C or better in each course applied to the major.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services

A minimum of 124 hours is required for completion of the Baccalaureate degree. The Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Human Services (BAS) includes 47 credit hours of University and general education requirements. Students majoring in Human Services must complete a minimum of 66 hours of credit in the department. These hours must include HS100, 131, 250, 251/305, 280, 281, 300, 302, 325, 330, 380, 411, 445, 450/550, 481, 495/595, and 498. In consultation with a faculty advisor, a total of fifteen additional credit hours must be selected to develop an area of emphasis. Possible options include, but are not limited to, addiction counseling, youth services, gerontology, victim/ survivor services, mental health, developmental disabilities, or adult care home administration (currently suspending admission of new students). Of these hours, at least 12 credit hours must be Human Services coursework, 3 hours may be selected from another discipline relating to the area of emphasis, and a minimum of 6 hours should be upper division courses. All majors are encouraged to take OA 128 or CM 101, or show proficiency working with computer applications. Students must receive a grade of C or better in each course applied to the major.

Certificates of Completion

The Human Services Department is approved to offer the following Certificates of Completion upon successful completion of approved course work and/or internships:

• Addiction Counseling - Awarded upon completion of an Associate degree, and completion of 33 credit hours as follows: EN101, HS210, HS211, HS212, HS315, HS325, HS411, HS415, HS445, HS450, HS280.
  
• Non-Profit Management - Awarded upon completion of a Bachelor degree, and completion of 30 credit hours as follows: EN101, HS100, PO245, HS302, PO393 or PO346, PO395, HS445, HS495 or PO401, 300/400 HS or PO Elective, and HS481 or PO307. This certificate is in collaboration with the Political Science Department.
  
• Victim/Survivor Services - Awarded upon completion of an Associate degree, and completion of 30 credit hours as follows: EN101, HS100, HS131, HS201, HS202, HS325, HS450, HS300-400 Elective, HS445, HS481.
• Morita Therapy - Awarded upon completion of a Bachelor degree and completion of 15 credit hours as follows: HS374, HS376/576, HS477/577, HS 478/578, and HS481 or HS360.

Requirements for Minor

A Minor in Human Services consists of no less than 18 hours of Human Services coursework selected in consultation with a Department Advisor and must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Human Services. Students must attain a grade of “C” or better for each course applied to the Minor.