Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Springfield College School of Professional and Continuing Studies 
    
2017-2018 Springfield College School of Professional and Continuing Studies [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Human Services - Undergraduate



Degree Information


Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Human Services.

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Program Information


The Undergraduate Human Services program at the School of Professional and Continuing Studies of Springfield College is designed for the adult-learner who has a desire to start or continue in a career in the field of human services.  Depending on the total number of transfer credits the student brings with them into the program, the student can complete their degree program in as little as 16 months.  Note: The length of time to complete the PCS Undergraduate Human Services Degree program is contingent upon the total number of transfer credits brought into the program and the status (full-time or part-time) of the student. The PCS Undergraduate Human Services program is designed as a hybrid program, with courses meeting on weekends, nights, and online depending on class schedules and term course offerings. NOTE: All courses offered at PCS have an online component requiring students to access the PCS Learning Management System - BrightSpace to obtain course information and announcements, complete assignments, participate in course discussions, and take required assessments. Additionally, Senior Seminar and all concentration courses in the Undergraduate Human Service program are offered ONLY as online courses. Students may pursue their degree program as a full or part-time student. Full-time or part-time status does affect the student’s financial aid award and should discuss this with the Office of Financial Aid.  

Degree Requirements

In order to complete a baccalaureate degree at the School of Professional and Continuing Studies an undergraduate student must complete the following requirements:

  1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000
  2. Successful completion of 120 credit hours
  3. Successful completion of the General Education requirements.
  4. Successful completion of all requirements for the declared major.
  5. Fulfillment of residency requirement

Even if all requirements for a baccalaureate degree have been met, the sanctioning of a student pursuant to the Student Disciplinary Policy may prevent the awarding of such a degree.

Instruction

The School employs full-time faculty who are responsible for teaching, service, and scholarship. The practice-oriented curriculum also includes contributions from part-time faculty who are directly involved in agency and community work. The result is that we have a faculty with the flexibility, resources, and expertise required to address academics as well as new developments in human services practice and delivery.

All classes in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies utilize the College’s learning management system called Moodle. Moodle serves as ehe virtual classroom for instructors and students to engage outside regularly scheduled classroom time in what is called the web-enhanced portion of the course. Moodle is required in all School of Professional and Continuing Studies classes. The Moodle orientation for the School of Professional and Continuing Studies students is provided within your PrideNet account and must be completed and passed as soon as possible in order to register for classes.

Coursework

The School of Professional and Continuing Studies is a trimester program. Classes generally meet for four months each term with classes held on weekends. Each course meets once each month for a full day. Students are required to complete pre-assignments before a course begins so that they will be ready to engage in the course content and process when the first class is held. Students also receive a syllabus for each course so they can plan ahead and stay abreast of classroom activities and course expectations.  In addition, all courses include an online component.   Moodle allows instructors and class members to remain in contact between class sessions by continuing class discussions, researching and completing course assignments and accessing resources.  The School of Professional and Continuing Studies also offers students the option to enroll in full y online courses.  Currently, students cannot take more than 2 online per term.  Online courses required the successful completion of the “Eligibility Assessment” with a score of 70 or greater to register for online classes.

Writing is an important assessment and learning tool across the curriculum because the School values highly both the process and product involved with written communications. The writing-intensive program is designed to enhance students’ ability to write clearly, concisely, and creatively so they can compose reports, correspondence, client notes, grants, and other such materials required in the workplace. Classroom instruction involves lectures, discussions, small group projects, visual presentations, fieldwork, research, reflections, and case studies. Across the curriculum, students have ample opportunities to learn about theory, to practice their skills, and to demonstrate learning outcomes in a variety of ways. Course assignments and learning assessments generally include written papers, research projects, portfolios, and oral presentations. Students receive regular feedback on their classroom assignments to help them improve their performance.

Core Curriculum

The School’s core curriculum provides a common frame of reference, information, experience, and analysis. It is the heart of a learner’s program of study. The diversity of courses reflects a respect for learning that both fosters the integration of theory and practice and promotes the responsibilities of global citizenship. The courses that make up the core curriculum are listed and described in the Course Descriptions.

Distribution of Undergraduate Credits

The minimum credits required for a baccalaureate degree is generally distributed among the General Education curriculum; the requirements for a major; and electives (inclusive of requirements for a minor), if applicable. Students including certain concentrations as part of their course of study may have additional requirements that decrease the number of electives in their program and/or increase their credit requirements for graduation.

Contact Information


For more information about the Human Services major, click here, or you may contact the Admissions Office at (800) 727-0004.

General Education Requirements (42 credits)


The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being.  Recognizing that our students will specialize in a variety of specific majors, the General Education requirements ensure that all students will achieve a common set of learning objectives as part of their Springfield College experience. These common objectives embody the college’s definition of an educated person and ensure that our graduates will be able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to achieve the mission of the college to educate students for leadership and lifelong service to humanity. The common learning outcomes for all baccalaureate graduates include:

  • The ability to provide leadership in service to humanity;
  • The ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral form;
  • The ability to think critically within and across disciplines, to interpret information, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions;
  • The ability to read critically, interpretatively, and empathetically;
  • The ability to reason quantitatively and to use mathematical and technological tools for problem solving and analysis;
  • An understanding and appreciation of aesthetic, imaginative and creative expression;
  • An understanding and appreciation of the scientific process of discovery, critical thinking, and analysis;
  • An understanding and appreciation of the social sciences and historical perspective in comprehending the modern world;
  • The ability to reflect critically on personal, spiritual, and cultural values in order to live an effective and fulfilling life;
  • An understanding and appreciation of the importance of personal wellness and lifelong physical activity in the enrichment of human life;
  • An understanding and appreciation of the opportunities and challenges inherent in a world that is increasingly diverse, multicultural, and international.

The following curricular requirements have been established in support of these outcomes. However, none can be fully achieved solely by taking a given course. Therefore, these outcomes will be reinforced across the General Education curriculum and within program majors and minors.

Part I - Competencies


Part II - Domains of Knowledge / Understanding


Art and Humanities: 9 credits total (3 credits from each category)


Analytical and Natural Sciences: 6 credits total (3 credits from each category)


Quantitative Reasoning: 3 credits


Natural Sciences: 3 credits


Social Sciences: 6 credits total (3 credits from each category)


International / Multicultural Studies: 6 credits total (3 credits from each category)


Physical Education: 6 credits total (3 credits from each category)


Health & Wellness

Physical Activity

Part III - Embedded Knowledge


Core Curriculum


The School’s Core curriculum provides a common frame of reference, information, experience, and analysis. It is the heart of a learner’s program of study. The diversity of courses reflects a respect for learning that both fosters the integration of theory and practice and promotes the responsibilities of global citizenship. The courses that make up the Core curriculum are listed and described below:

Required of students in the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Concentration


(in place of HUSB 330, 331, 332)

Required of students in the Community Youth Development and Leadership Concentration


(in place of HUSB 330, 331, 332)

Required of students in the Early Childhood Education Concentration


(in place of HUSB 330, 331, 332)

Concentrations


Several concentrations are available to students in the Human Services program. In some cases, courses required for a concentration may extend the time required to complete the course of study. Students must consult with the campus where they are enrolled to determine the availability and requirements of particular concentrations.

In the case of specific concentrations in the bachelor’s degree program, students may be required to complete more than 120 semester hours to meet general education, core, and concentration requirements.

Substance Use Disorder Counseling Concentration Curriculum


Concentration Mission: The mission of the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Concentration is to prepare practitioners for professional service by providing access to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that underlie evidence-based practices and to promote professional readiness and cross-cultural competence in order to meet the needs of diverse individuals, groups, and communities affected by addictions.

Policy Statement


  • Students wishing to obtain the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Concentration may take the required/core courses and electives in residency, or the courses may be transferred in from other regionally accredited higher educational institutions or be awarded through the experiential learning process.
  • Students enrolled in the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Concentration must fulfill their requirements for Group Project in Community Development and Change (twelve credits under the course numbers SUDC 330, 331, and 332) by completing a project that is in the field of addiction studies.

Electives: 12 credits


Courses may be taken from one focus area or a combination of areas based on the student’s educational needs, prior experience, and professional goals.

Community Youth Development and Leadership Concentration Curriculum


Concentration Mission:  The mission of the Community Youth Development and Leadership Concentration is to provide a transformational learning experience within which youth workers explore alternative approaches to youth work and their implications for practice.  Youth workers develop knowledge, attributes, and skills necessary for creating opportunities for young people to develop into healthy, productive, and contributing members of their communities through maximizing their full leadership and civic potential.

Policy Statements:


  • Students wishing to obtain the Community Youth Development and LeadershipConcentration may take the required/core courses and electives in residency, or the courses may be transferred in from other regionally accredited higher educational institutions or be awarded through the experiential learning process.
  • Students enrolled in the Community Youth Development and Leadership Concentration must fulfill their requirements for Group Project in Community Development and Change (twelve credits under the course numbers CYDL 330, 331, and 332) by completing a project that is in the field of youth development.

Electives: 12 credits


Courses may be taken from one focus area or a combination of areas based on the student’s educational needs, prior experience, and professional goals.

General Courses


Criminal Justice Concentration Curriculum


Concentration Mission: The mission of the criminal justice concentration is to provide students with a well-grounded overview of the criminal justice system that includes its three core components (police, courts, and corrections) The criminal justice concentration seeks to empower practitioners to advocate for meaningful change within the criminal justice system that will embrace a collaborative effort between communities and those charged with the administration of justice within those communities.

Policy Statements:


  • Students wishing to enroll in the Criminal Justice Concentration may take the required courses and elective course in residency, the courses may be transferred in from other regionally accredited higher educational institutions, or be awarded through the experiential learning process.
  • Students enrolled in the Criminal Justice Concentration must fulfill their requirements for Group Project in Criminal Justice (12 credits - CJWB 330, 331, and 332) by completing a project relevant to the field of criminal justice.

Early Childhood Education Concentration Curriculum


Concentration Mission: The mission of the Early Childhood Concentration (ages birth - 8) is to educate students to serve as early childhood professionals who (1) create high quality, collaborative, comprehensive, consistent, culturally congruent learning environments for all children; and (2) support and validate parents and families, so that communities in which these familiesf function will be empowered to achieve social and economic justice.

The Early Childhood Education Concentration does not lead to teacher licensure or certification.  Prospective students who are interested in teacher licensure or certification are encouraged to contact the Department of Education of the respective state for information.

Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours focused on Early Childhood coursework. Students in the concentration must complete coursework in early childhood development and ethics and professional standards. Students choose between two areas of focus or tracks, one for classroom-based educators, and one for administrators. Students must successfully complete an Early Childhood Internship* that will focus on developing core competencies as identified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Policy Statements:


  • Students wishing to obtain the Early Childhood Education Concentration may take the required/core courses and electives in residency, or the courses may be transferred in from other regionally accredited higher educational institutions or be awarded through the experiential learning process.
  • Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Concentration must fulfill their requirements for Group Project in Early Childhood Education (twelve credits under the course numbers ECED 330, 331, and 332) by completing a project that is in the field of early childhood education.
  • Students who enter the School of Professional and Continuing Studies with a C.D.A. may be waived from ECED 210, ECED 310, ECED 410 and ECED 486.

Area of Focus


Select either the Classroom-Based or Administration Track.