Course Descriptions
Human Services Course Descriptions
HSV designated courses qualify as social sciences and liberal arts electives.
HSV101
Introduction to Human Services - 3 Credits
This course studies the history of the theory and practice of social welfare. It examines the development and function of social work services in residential treatment, income maintenance, psychiatric services, correctional services, medical services, services for the aged, and community services.
HSV200
Intervention Methods of Human Services - 3 credits
This course is an introduction to the theories, principles, and skills of the generic helping process in social work practice. Students learn how to engage a client, along with assessment, treatment planning, intervention, and follow-up as applied to individuals and families.
Prerequisites: HSV101 and at least 3 additional hours in Human Services
HSV260
Social Welfare - 3 Credits
This course examines human needs and the resources made available to assist families and individuals in need. The historical and philosophical roots of social welfare from ancient cultures to contemporary America are considered. The course provides an analysis of social welfare systems including their basic concepts and economic and political determinants.
Cross listed with SOC260.
HSV301
Interviewing Methods – 3 Credits
This course provides an opportunity to learn basic communication skills and interviewing techniques essential for working with people. An emphasis is placed on developing skills in listening, intake, assessment and evaluation, referral and report writing. Case studies will be used to explore typical presenting problems and appropriate responses.
HSV303
Introduction to Counseling – 3 Credits
This course provides an introduction to the basic principles, skills, methods and techniques employed in the counseling process. The focus is on establishing rapport, developing a therapeutic alliance, assessment, conceptualizing strategies for intervention, and the planning and delivering counseling services. The course will also promote exploration into personal values and professional ethics.
HSV309
Theories of Counseling – 3 Credits
This course will introduce the student to the basic concepts, theories and approaches that are applied to human services counseling. Students will compare and contrast the various theories that impact contemporary counseling including analytic, experiential, relational, action-oriented and systems approaches.
HSV330
Group Counseling – 3 Credits
This course presents a theoretical foundation for group process and counseling techniques. Students are introduced to the skills and requirements needed for effective group counseling including communication, leadership, problem solving, decision-making, and establishing group membership, norms and goals.
HSV341
Research Methods for the Social Sciences - 3 Credits
This course emphasizes the methods and techniques for research in psychology and sociology, including both laboratory and survey techniques. Emphasis is placed on the development of empirical questions from theory, research design and control, construction of survey instruments, statistical analysis and interpretation of results. Exercises include development of an original research project appropriate to the students' major field.
Prerequisites: MAT220, and either PSY102 or SOC340
HSV364
Human Behavior in the Social Environment - 3 Credits
This course traces the development of human behavior in primary groups throughout the life cycle. It follows maturational, emotional, cognitive, and social systems theory from early life development through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood into old age, with a focus on the individual and primary groups.
Cross listed with SOC364.
HSV368
Crisis Intervention - 3 Credits
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and strategies of crisis theory and practice carried out in a social-psychological and cultural framework. Effective crisis management is explored to learn how people feel, think, and behave during periods of crisis, and what strategies and resources are available to them.
HSV400
Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Services - 3 Credits
This course surveys ethical, legal, and professional issues facing human service practitioners. The course is designed to teach a process of ethical decision-making and to increase awareness of the moral and legal complexities in the field of human services. It includes consideration of the human service worker's ethical responsibilities to clients, colleagues, practice settings, and the profession.
Prerequisite: HSV 101 or permission of instructor
HSV405
Human Service Administration - 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the principles of Human Service administration. Emphasis is on the basic skills required to effectively manage agency staff and other resources in human service organizational settings. The focus of the course is on the unique needs of human service managers in planning, organizing, budgeting, and supervising their programs and organizations within an every-changing social environment.
Prerequisite: HSV 101 or permission of the instructor.
HSV450
Senior Seminar in Human Services - 3 Credits
This is a capstone course in which students will apply their knowledge and professional development during their college experience to the design, planning and writing of a scholarly human services course paper. Students will be required to complete a senior-level composition based on a scholarly investigation in a selected area of human services which will be presented and discussed in a seminar format.
Prerequisite: Completion of HSV101
HSV460 & HSV461
Human Services Practicum - 6 Credits
This course provides prospective human services workers with an opportunity to learn experientially at a human service agency in the community. The focus of this internship is for the student to learn how an agency functions and experience being a part of that agency. Students are required to complete 180 agency hours in HSV 460 and 180 agency hours in HSV 461. Human Services majors are required to complete internships at two separate agencies.You must speak with your academic advisor as well as the Career Services Office before registering.
HSV465
Action Research Methods - 3 credits
This course presents an overview of action research that assists human services and criminal justice professionals in improving their practice with individuals, groups, families and communities. The course will prepare students to be able to explore significant human services and criminal justice issues and to take restorative action to resolve problems. It will also build people’s capacity to resolve issues effectively and provide long-term outcomes to enhance individuals, families, and community environments. You must speak with your academic advisor as well as the Career Services Office before registering.
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