Human Services, B.A.
The Human Services, 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. This major does not provide entry level preparation for Human Services professional practice. The program is conveniently offered in both online only and face-to-face formats.
Students applying to the B.A. Human Services 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 quarter hours of General Education for completion
- Requires a minimum grade of “C” in Human Services 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
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
- Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| GEN 210 | Think Global-Perspectives from the Field | 3 TO 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 204 | Contemporary Chicago | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
Program Specific General Education Requirements
General Education Electives
This area may be satisfied by two courses in any general education category listed above or other courses consistent with integrated general education competencies. These courses may not be needed if student is completing the program specific general education requirements listed above.
Additional General Education Requirements
| GEN 103 | Student Success Seminar | 5 |
| or | |
| GEN 203 | NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success | 3 |
Note: GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete GEN 203.
Career Development Requirements
First-time Daytime Students - 15 QH
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| or | |
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| and | |
| CAR 295 | Career Service Learning | 5 |
| CAR 218 | Internship Application Workshop | 0 |
Note:
CAR 218 may be waived for students who have an internship accepted in Handshake prior to Winter term of the junior year.
Transfer Students - 5 QH
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| or | |
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| or | |
| CAR 202 | Creating Professional Identity | 0 TO 2 |
| and | |
| CAR 203 | You The Professional | 3 |
Human Services 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 291 | Human Services Fieldwork I | 5 |
| HSM 292 | Human Services Fieldwork II | 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 |
Capstone Course
| HSM 493 | Human Services Fieldwork III | 5 |
Note:
HSM 493 must be taken at NLU.
Human Services Electives under Advisement
Choose 15 QH of Human Services electives with advisor approval
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.