Human Services Description

Program Description

The Human Services program prepares professionals to work in a variety of settings as case managers, advocates, grant writers, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, human resource specialists, fundraisers, trainers, paraeducators or advocacy specialists for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, or other social issues. Graduates are employed in agencies, federal, state and non-profit organizations, for-profit enterprises, and a variety of societal settings. Most graduates are employed in the field of human services within one year of graduation, and many continue their educations completing master’s degrees in social work, social policy, public administration, vocational rehabilitation, or other types of counseling.

Over a two year course of study students engage in a rich learning experience to acquire knowledge and skills in areas such as human development, case management and interventions, diversity and social justice dynamics, applied research, and program planning and evaluation.  Blending a liberal arts education with opportunities to engage in professional practice, students explore individual, interpersonal, small group, organizational, community, and global systems.   

Graduates work in such areas as youth and family services, community development, public policy, corrections, international relief, rehabilitation and education, or pursue graduate study in fields such as social work, counseling, law, and nonprofit management.

The Human Services undergraduate program is offered in Bellingham and in Everett. Deeply rooted within the communities and surrounding areas where the program is offered, students move beyond the classroom by participating in internships available in hundreds of community-based agencies throughout the Puget Sound region.

Curriculum Description

Western's Human Services curriculum draws from an interdisciplinary knowledge base and combines theory and practice with professional internship; integrated experiential student learning opportunities in hundreds of community based agencies throughout Western Washington where the WWU Human Services program is offered (Human Services Program Community Connections).  Students learn direct services theory and techniques as well as problem-solving skills focused on prevention, maintenance, and remediation of problems on individual, group, community, and societal levels. The Human Services profession is one that promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, coordination, and collaboration among professionals and agencies to attain the highest quality of life with the least amount of intervention.

View the Curriculum Diagram

The Human Services major consists of a two-year (76 credits), upper-division curriculum culminating in a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree.  Many face-to-face courses are scheduled in afternoons and evenings to assist students in balancing school, work, and family commitments. Students can integrate face-to-face, web-based and "hybrid" courses that combine both face-to-face and online coursework, into their plan of study.

The program is organized in a spiraling curriculum, centered on six consecutive courses.  These "core" courses begin the study of systems theory with small systems (personal) and moves through layers of increasingly complex, nested, and overlapping systems (societal and global).  The program is offered by the Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation which is part of the Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University.  The Human Services program is offered in Bellingham and at outreach location at Everett Community College. Students interested in finding out more about the program or who would appreciate having a information packet mailed to them should contact the nearest Human Services program location.

Current Western Washington University policies and procedures apply to all students registering for any class.  University policies and procedures are found University’s General Catalog in effect at the time of admission.  Persons with speech or hearing impairments may contact the Washington State TDD Relay System at 1-800-833-6388.  Western Washington University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity and equal employment opportunity institution.

If you have additional questions or want an information packet mailed to you, please contact your nearest Human Services program location.

 

Preparing Thoughtful, Knowledgeable, and Effective
Professionals for a Diverse Society