Department of Human Services

Chairperson: Professor Burke; Professors: Barret,Robinson, Rowland; Professors Emeritus: McLeod, Powers; Associate Professors: Nkomo, Pleasants, Post; Assistant Professors: Bradey, Furr, Hyatt; Lecturer: Springs

The Department of Human Services offers a skilloriented curriculum which prepares students as professionals and paraprofessionals to serve individual or group needs in a variety of agency, business, educational or governmental settings. Two undergraduate programs are administered by the Department: Human Services, and Child and Family Development. On the graduate level, the Department administers the Counselor Education Program, which provides training at the master's and sixthyear levels for counselors in school and community agency settings. (See the Graduate Section of this Catalog.)

Human Services. The department offers a major and minor in Human Services and a minor in substance abuse. The purpose of human services is to enhance personal and social wellbeing during the lifespan; to promote the healthy development of families and interfamily relationships; and to encourage the development of groups and communities. The Human Services major offers students a program of study designed to meet their personal interests and career goals, while they obtain broadbased knowledge and firsthand skills in the helping professions. Graduates of the program can expect to play a key role in social development as advocates for the disadvantaged, providers of preventive health care services, paraprofessionals who offer physical and emotional support, and knowledgeable citizens who help shape their communities.

Child and Family Development. The Department offers teacher licensure and non-licensure majors and a minor in the area of child and family development. Children are studied in their relationships within the family and the community, and knowledge from both the natural and social sciences is applied to the child--as an individual--in the many roles and settings in which children function in society. A primary goal of the Child and Family Development Program is to improve the quality of life for children and their families. Graduates of the program may become preschool teachers (in Headstart, schools, or daycare) or teachers of developmentally delayed and disabled children. Other graduates of the program may become parenting education specialists, or workers in family/child agencies or prepare themselves to work with children and families in areas of scouting, YMCA and YWCA, churches and volunteer services. Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue graduate studies in child development.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Human Services. A major in Human Services leading to the B.A. degree consists of a minimum of 120 semester hours, including: at least 39 semester hours in Human Services, 18 semester hours in a related area of concentration, and fulfillment of general education requirements. The related concentration requirement may be fulfilled by one of the University minors or a thematic interdisciplinary minor or concentration (such as substance abuse, public relations in human services, aging or volunteerism), jointly designed by the student and his/her adviser.

Child and Family Development. A major in Child and Family Development leading to the B.A. degree requires both academic study and practical experience. The major consists of a minimum of 120 semester hours including: at least 39 semester hours in Child and Family Development including HUSV 4115, CHFD 2111, 2412, 2113, 2115, 2416, 3113, 3115, 3412 3416 and 3619, with an average grade of C; and 18 semester hours of required related work.

Child and Family Development with Birth-Kindergarten Licensure. A major in Child and Family Development leading to the B.A. degree with Birth-Kindergarten Licensure requires both academic study and practical experience. The major consists of a minimum of 120 semester hours including: at least 39 semester hours in Child and Family Development including CHFD 2111, 2113, 2114, 2115, 2412, 2416, 3113, 3115, and 3412; and 24 semester hours of required related work including SOCY 2132, 4632, two courses in PSYC at the 3000 level, EDUC 2100, SPED 2100, 4110, 4111, and 4210.

Eligibility for Student Teaching. To be admitted to student teaching; the student must:

  1. be recommended by adviser(s);
  2. have completed 30 hours in the major and 12 hours in the related component of special education;
  3. present a GPA of 2.75 in the major, and a GPA of 2.5 overall;
  4. have senior status with grades of C or above in all courses required for licensure; and
  5. be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT MINOR

A minor in Child and Family Development is available to all undergraduates and consists of 18 semester hours to include CHFD 2111, 2113, 2115, 3115, and six semester hours of CHFD electives.

HUMAN SERVICES MINOR

A minor in Human Services requires 18 semester hours including HUSV 2100, 3110, 4115, a 3000level Human Services course and either HUSV 5103 or 5104. A 2.5 GPA is required (1) for acceptance into the Human Services minor and (2) in all human service courses completed.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE MINOR

An interdisciplinary minor in Substance Abuse requires 18 semester hours including PSYC 3151 or 2150; CJUS 4101; SOCY 4172 or 2171; and HUSV 3480, 5103, and 5104. An overall GPA of at least 2.5 is required for acceptance into and completion of the minor.
[COLLEGE OF EDUCATION]