B.S. Degree in Human Services
The undergraduate program in Human Services leads to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and is designed to provide a human, social, and behavioral science background for persons to work in a variety of settings for a broad range of organizations dedicated to helping others transition through their developmental and contextual issues and processes.
The Human Services program offers a curriculum which includes the following core components:
- interpersonal skills
- social and cultural foundations
- introduction to human services
- counseling theory and practice
- developmental psychology
- research in learning and development
- administration of human services organizations
- child/adolescent/or adult psychology and development
A practicum and internship are included in the program for field experiences leading directly to professional training and employment. A minor is required to complete the degree.
The Human Services degree serves as an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing a master's or doctorate degree in counseling, psychology, speech/language pathology, social work, or other related fields.
Students in the program learn the roles and functions of human services professionals, characteristics of human growth and development, aspects of human service agencies, theories and skills required of human services professionals to work with diverse clientele in a variety of settings, and the basic skills related to program evaluation, grant writing, and fundraising. The program also includes ethical, legal, and multicultural issues as they relate to the responsibilities of the human services professional. Professional writing and oral skills are stressed in all coursework to ensure that students understand the importance of documentation and communication requirements in the human services field.
Interested in more information about the Human Services degree program? Please contact the coordinator, Dr. Michelle Hurley at hurleyml@etsu.edu or 423-439-4189. We look forward to speaking with you!
Note that students may complete the academic requirements for The Child Life Specialist certification. The Child Life Specialist focuses on assisting children (toddler through adolescence) and their families to encourage optimum development of children and youth facing challenging experiences particularly related to healthcare and hospitalization. Please click here for more information about Child Life Specialists.
For more information see our our Human Services Program Reports.
The Bachelor of Science in Human Services Program at East Tennessee State University has been accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).
Complete your degree from your home! Click here for more information.
For advisor information, check out this page.
Also check out our program of study in the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog: Human Services Major, B.S.
If you are a current student, please be sure to check out the program of study for your appropriate catalog year. Click here for the Undergraduate Catalog.