B.A. in Human Services
The human services major is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to understand and serve families and communities in an increasingly diverse world. Courses explore individual and family development, intercultural awareness, reconciliation, communication, systems theory, and social policy. Students will think critically about varied dimensions of leading within community and government agencies including funding, grant writing, advocacy, and social change. Attention is given to Christian perspectives and practical application.
The curriculum is designed to meet the following goals:
- Apply research and theories across the human services profession.
- Practice research-informed and ethical approaches to helping individuals, families, and communities.
- Demonstrate personal and professional effective relational skills, including communication, conflict management, and reconciliation.
- Analyze social and public policies designed to benefit children, adults, couples and/or families.
A degree in human services prepares students for entry-level employment in family social services, community mental health, public or private agencies, and congregational settings serving children, adolescents, adults, couples, and/or families. The program also prepares students for graduate study in:
- Marriage and family therapy
- Counseling psychology
- Mental health counseling
- Pastoral care and counseling
- Related disciplines
Certificate in Addiction Studies and Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
The Addiction Studies Certificate and Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate programs offer students a path that prepares them to meet MN state Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) education requirements for licensure as an alcohol and drug counselor (LADC). The Addiction Studies Certificate provides the coursework. The Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate provides the coursework and required practicum hours. Both of these certificates can be embedded in the B.A. in Human Services degree for those needing to complete a bachelor's degree.
To prepare for graduate study and entry-level social service careers in a variety of addictions treatment settings students will:
- Demonstrate evidence-based approaches to addictions counseling through the application of addictions research and theories to practice.
- Articulate ethical approaches to addictions counseling, informed by intercultural competency, Christian perspectives, and state and federal laws and regulations.
- Synthesize the twelve core functions of an addictions counselor with personal, interpersonal, and professional skills.
- Utilize knowledge about diversity in addictions counseling with individuals and families.
- Integrate personal faith and/or spirituality with personal and professional development and practice in addictions counseling.
Senior Care Leadership and Administration Certificate
The Senior Care Leadership and Administration (SCLA) certificate/licensure program includes business, leadership, healthcare, and other senior care related courses. Students will learn to be leaders equipped to critically think, effectively communicate, understand approaches to quality and safety assessment, and apply knowledge of human resources, budgeting, and regulations. Completion of the certificate and internship courses prepares students to apply for the Long Term Care Administrator License, which is needed to become an administrator within a skilled nursing facility. The certificate also prepares students for a career in the full continuum of senior care.
Students who graduate with the SCLA certificate will gain additive knowledge and in addition to their previous experience or qualifications, such as Human Resources, Nursing, Accounting, Activities, Sales, Assistants and Administration will be enabled to work in any related senior care industry position.
HUSE 300 • Family Perspectives 3 Credits.
Analysis of sociological, psychological, and theological perspectives on family relationships, with special attention given to understanding families as systems. Identification and personal evaluation of assumptions about families and to examination of one’s own family-of-origin experiences. Introduction to the history of human services.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore class standing and above.
HUSE 305 • Individual and Family Development Over the Life Cycle 3 Credits.
Identification of the various stages of life from conception to death. Examination of the perspectives of various developmental theorists and their role in historical, contemporary, and controversial issues. Analysis of the biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial domains and their contribution to human development while maintaining a focus on individual differences.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100 Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Concurrent registration in PSYC 335 recommended. Enrollment is open to students with sophomore class standing and above. Crosslisted with PSYC 305.
HUSE 320 • Advocacy and Social Change 3 Credits.
Address the ways advocacy can take place and steps needed to achieve change in families and communities. Address reconciliation as a component of change and understand the role of policy in change.
Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore standing and above.
HUSE 330 • Leading and Managing in Human Service Organizations 3 Credits.
Introduction to grants, financial management and funding in a non profit organization. Development of effective relational skills and personal leadership approach. Analysis of professional development and practices in leadership from a personal worldview.
Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore standing and above.
HUSE 386 • Social Inequality 3 Credits.
Focus on social inequality in human societies, with particular reference to the United States. Exploration of the origins, evolution, legitimation, and consequences of social inequality. Emphasis on inequalities that are rooted in the socioeconomic order. Examination of the relationship between social class, race, and gender as different but related forms of social inequality.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore class standing and above.
HUSE 400 • Research Methods 3 Credits.
Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research designs. Designed as a project-based course, with particular attention to program evaluation and action research, learners will construct an applied research proposal.
Prerequisites: PSYC 335. Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 2 and CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Concurrent registration with HUSE 405 recommended. Cross-listed with PSYC 400.
HUSE 405 • Family Social Policy 3 Credits.
An examination of the linkages of family with societal systems and the consequences of policy for family life. An exploration of community resources and strategies for serving families.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Concurrent registration with HUSE 400 recommended.
HUSE 410 • Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships 3 Credits.
An analysis of interpersonal dynamics, including love and intimacy; communication; shame; power and control; stress and coping; grief; compassion; and spirituality. Attention to a broad variety of relational states, including friendship, singleness, romantic partnerships, parent/child relationships, social networks, and faith communities.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.
HUSE 435 • Families in Cross-Cultural Perspective 3 Credits.
Contemporary, historical, and cross-cultural, predominantly non-Western perspective on a variety of family systems and the people living in them. Values and assumptions underlying these systems, roles, intergenerational relationships, identity formation, and developmental tasks. Multicultural aspects of chemical dependency.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Cross-listed with PSYC 435.
HUSE 445 • Counseling Microskills 3 Credits.
An examination of effective counseling skills that combines theoretical understanding and hands-on practice of essential microskills. In this experiential class, students are expected to engage in development of “self of the therapist” through reflective practice and observation of self and others. Aspects of the 12 core functions of an LADC as defined in MN Statute section 148F.01, subdivision 10.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.
HUSE 450 • Introduction to Addictions Counseling 3 Credits.
Examination of addiction from a variety of perspectives and evaluation of the twelve core functions of an addictions counselor. Description of the process of change in the context of the continuum of care. Cultivation of a personal philosophy around spirituality and addiction.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5. Special Notes: Cross-listed with PSYC 450.
HUSE 455 • Pharmacology of Addictions 3 Credits.
Examination of the action and biophysical effects of addictive substances. Evaluation of evidence-based medical treatment options for both addictions and co-occurring disorders. Integration of spirituality with medical approaches to treating addiction in an interculturally sensitive manner.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.
HUSE 460 • Assessment and Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders 3 Credits.
Examination of the assessment and treatment, including identification of the appropriate level of care, for co-occurring disorders of substance use and various psychological disorders. Attention is given to evidence-based practices in treatment planning and intervention.
HUSE 481 • Internship in Addictions Counseling I 4 Credits.
Application of theory, interpersonal skills, and professional development skills in a supervised professional addiction counseling setting. Demonstration of the twelve core functions of LADC (MN Statute 148F.01, subdivision 10). Evaluation of progress toward appropriate development goals. Integration of knowledge, experience, ethics, and faith into a worldview relevant in the addiction counseling setting. 400-hour experience.
Prerequisites: HUSE 435, HUSE 445, HUSE 450, HUSE 455, HUSE 460, HUSE 485H. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis. Special Notes: Program Director permission required for enrollment.
HUSE 482 • Internship in Addictions Counseling III 1-3 Credits.
Direct practice experience in which the student applies previously acquired knowledge and skills in a structured professional setting focused on the 12 core functions of a licensed alcohol and drug counselor as defined in Minnesota Statute section 148F.01, subdivision 10. Students will accrue remaining hours of the Minnesota state Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requirement of 880 clock hours of practical experience that were not completed in HUSE 491.
Prerequisites: HUSE 435, HUSE 445, HUSE 450, HUSE 455, HUSE 460,HUSE 481, HUSE 485H, HUSE 491 Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis.
HUSE 485H • Professional Practice Issues and Ethics 3 Credits.
An examination of legal and ethical situations arising in the practice of helping professions. Issues of professional practice and development are also discussed, and students are expected to identify goals and strategies for continuing professional, personal, and spiritual growth. Aspects of the 12 core functions of an LADC as defined in MN Statute section 148F.01, subdivision 10.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Areas 5, 6; General Education Category H.
HUSE 490 • Integrative Internship Seminar 3 Credits.
Learning/practice experience in which the student applies previously acquired human service knowledge and skills in a structured professional setting, including but not limited to government agencies, social service agencies, schools, mental health agencies, businesses, and churches. Students will accrue a minimum of 100 hours of practical experience.
Prerequisites: HUSE 400, HUSE 445, HUSE 485H. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis.
HUSE 491 • Internship in Addictions Counseling II 4 Credits.
Application of theory and professional development skills in a supervised professional addiction counseling setting. Demonstration of the twelve core functions of LADC (MN Statute 148F.01, subdivision 10). Evaluation of progress toward appropriate development goals. Integration of knowledge, experience, ethics, and faith into a worldview relevant in the addiction counseling setting. 480-hour experience.
Prerequisites: HUSE 435, HUSE 445, HUSE 450, HUSE 455, HUSE 460, HUSE 481, HUSE 485H. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis.
PSYC 335 • Introduction to Statistics 3 Credits.
Basic descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics will be covered. As time permits, more advanced topics of ANOVA, multiple regression, ANCOVA, meta-analysis, and factor analysis will be introduced. Learners will perform analyses using a computerized statistical package, and primary emphasis will be placed on understanding the concepts and interpreting results correctly.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 4. Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore class standing and above.
SCLA 450 • Gerontology and Services for Senior Care 3 Credits.
Exploration of the gerontology field, including aging demographics and population trends. Application of physical, social, and psychological aspects of aging including the grieving process, death, and dying. Analysis of programs, resources, and services for the aging population throughout the continuum of care. Evaluation of funding streams to support healthcare needs.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.
SCLA 455 • Healthcare and Medical Needs for Senior Care 3 Credits.
Introduction to the basic principles of healthcare related to the aging population including the normal aging process, relevant health issues, terminology, medical management, prevention, and emerging healthcare trends.
SCLA 460 • Senior Care Support Services 3 Credits.
Exploration of the organization, operations, functions, services, and programs of senior care facilities from a leadership and management perspective. Includes an emphasis on issues of diversity and relationships between and among employees, residents, and families.
SCLA 465 • Senior Care Regulatory Management 3 Credits.
Explanation of government regulations in relation to senior care services. Identification of the role the government has in the legal regulatory process. Explanation of specific laws and principles that impact senior care. Identification of programs and trainings that help to better understand or implement key senior care regulations.
SCLA 481 • Senior Care Internship I 4 Credits.
Application of classroom knowledge to practical experiences across multiple domains of senior care services. Introduction to leadership and management oversight of operational, legal and regulatory requirements, services, and programs integrating quality principles and data analysis to inform management decisions. 500 hours/15 weeks (see Statute for exceptions).
Prerequisites: SCLA 450, SCLA 460, BUSN 301, BUSN 302; or for CAS students: BUS 230, BUS 231.
SCLA 482 • Senior Care Internship II 4 Credits.
Application of classroom knowledge to practical experiences across multiple domains of senior care services. Introduction to leadership and management oversight of operational, legal and regulatory requirements, services, and programs integrating quality principles and data analysis to inform management decisions. 500 hours/15 weeks (see Statute for exceptions) .
Prerequisites: SCLA 481.