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. The human services profession 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.

Graduates are employed in agencies, federal, state and non-profit organizations, for-profit enterprises, and a variety of societal settings. Many graduates continue their educations completing master’s degrees in social work, social policy, public administration, vocational rehabilitation, or other types of counseling.

The major is offered in Bellingham, Everett, and via Distance Learning. 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.

Over a two year course of study students engage in a rich learning experience to explore theory and acquire knowledge and skills in such areas 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.   

The Human Services major consists of a two-year (76 credit), 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 internship, work, and other commitments.

The curriculum draws from an interdisciplinary knowledge base and combines theory and practice with professional internship.  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.

View the Curriculum Diagram

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