Human Services/Psychology, B.A.

The Human Services/Psychology, B.A., curriculum at NLU prepares students to advance in organizations that provide support and service to individuals, families and communities in need. These include social service agencies, community health centers and rehabilitation clinics.

Students applying to the B.A. Human Services/Psychology program are subject to the Undergraduate Admission Requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO1. Summarize the historical development of human services.

PLO2. Explain the dynamics of interaction within and among human systems including individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal.

PLO3. Identify and analyze the scope of conditions that promote or inhibit human functioning.

PLO4. Obtain, organize, evaluate, present, and utilize information while using appropriate technology.

PLO5. Systematically analyze service needs; plan appropriate intervention strategies, services, and implementation; and evaluate outcomes.

PLO6. Identify and apply appropriate practices for providing direct services and intervening to clients and client groups.

PLO7. Effectively resolve conflict, establish rapport with colleagues and clients, and act in ways that reflect the values and ethics of the human services profession.

PLO8. Explain the functioning of the administrative aspects of the services delivery system.

PLO9. Apply and promote values and ethics intrinsic to the human services profession in practice, including self-determination, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and diversity.

PLO10. Develop awareness of their own values, personalities, reaction patterns, interpersonal styles, and limitations.

PLO11. Apply human services, knowledge, theory, and skills in the professional environment.

Program Details:

Requires 180 QH including 60 hours of General Education for completion
Requires a completion of ENG 201 (or equivalent) with a grade of "C" or better before beginning the Program Major gateway courses; HSM 101 and HSM 102
Requires a minimum grade of “C” in Human Services/Psychology requirements
Credit for Prior Learning is accepted for general education, elective credit and as determined appropriate by the faculty, toward program major requirements
- A maximum of 70 QH may be completed through any combination of transfer credit or Credit for Prior Learning toward the major requirements
Students may complete any minor or concentration that is not in the same area of study as their program major. Students must consult with their Academic Advisor to select a minor or concentration that best fits their career and personal goals.

Required Courses

Research Methods

RES 200

Research, Writing, and Analysis

Note: RES 200 is required for students completing a fully-online program.

Communications - 15QH

ENG 101	Beginning English Composition	5
ENG 201	Intermediate English	5
ENG 203	Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate	5

Humanities and Fine Arts - 15QH

ART 101	Art Appreciation	5
HIS 103	History Across the Globe	5
PHI 107	Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in humanities and fine arts, in addition to another course in humanities or fine arts.

Quantitative Reasoning - 5QH

MTH 101

Introduction to Mathematical Concepts

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any college-level mathematics course.

Physical and Life Sciences - 10QH

SCI 101	Physical Science	5
	and
SCI 102	Survey of Biological Science with Lab	5
	or
SCI 225	Human Impact on Environment	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one course in any physical science and one course in any life science.

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 15QH

Choose two Social Science courses from the list below:

ECO 200	Macroeconomics for Today's Professional	5
HIS 102	Civics and American Government	5
SOC 101	Foundational Sociology	5
SOC 222	Culture and Identity	5
	and
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in social and behavioral sciences.

Additional General Education Requirements

Students must complete GEN 103 and one of the following course options:

Pathways Students

GEN 210	Think Global-Perspectives from the Field	3 TO 5
	and
BRV 200	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator	5
	or
CAR 214	Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand	5
	and
BRV 201	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator: Capstone Challenge	2
	or
CAR 217	Workplace Leadership	2

Transfer Students

CAR 202	Creating Professional Identity	2
CAR 203	You The Professional	0 TO 2

Note: GEN 103 may be waived for on-campus students who (1) enter NLU with an associate’s degree or 90 or more quarter credit hours of transfer credit; and (2) have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or above in their previous undergraduate studies. GEN 210 is required for Pathways students only.

Human Services/Psychology Major Requirements - 85 QH

Gateway Courses

HSM 101	Introduction to Human Services	5
HSM 102	Principles and Practices of Group Process	5

Core Courses

HSM 201	Interviewing Principles and Practices	5
HSM 202	Crisis Intervention Principles and Practices	5
HSM 203	Family Intervention Principles and Practices	5
HSM 304	Human Development and Human Services in a Multicultural Society	5
HSM 305	Survey of Populations with Special Needs	5
HSM 306	Legal Issues in Human Services	5
HSM 400	Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences	5
HSM 410	Management and Leadership in Human Services	5
HSM 415	Strategies of Community Intervention	5
PSY 306	Theories of Personality	5
PSY 307	Abnormal Psychology	5
PSY 330	Social Psychology	5
PSY 425	Mental Health	5

Developmental Psychology

Choose one Developmental Psychology course from the list below:

PSY 201	Psychology of Early Childhood	5
PSY 202	Psychology of Middle Childhood and Adolescence	5
PSY 203	Psychology of Development in the Infant/Toddler Years	5
PSY 315	Lifespan Development	5

Capstone Course

HSM 499

Seminar in Human Services/Psychology

Note: HSM 499 must be taken at NLU.

Electives

Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing any minor or concentration in consultation with your Academic Advisor.