Program Information
The Undergraduate Human Services program 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 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 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 in the Human Services program have an online component requiring students to access the 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 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, an undergraduate student must complete the following requirements:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000
- Successful completion of 120 credit hours
- Successful completion of the General Education requirements.
- Successful completion of all requirements for the declared major.
- 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 practice-oriented curriculum 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 Human Services program utilize the College’s learning management system called Brightspace. Brightspace serves as the virtual classroom for instructors and students to engage outside regularly scheduled classroom time in what is called the web-enhanced portion of the course. Brightspace is required in all classes.
Coursework
The Human Services program is a trimester program. Classes generally meet for approximately four months each term with classes held on weekends, weeknights and online. Students receive a syllabus for each course so they can plan ahead and stay abreast of classroom activities and course expectations. All courses include an online component. Brightspace allows instructors and class members to remain in contact between class sessions by continuing class discussions, researching and completing course assignments and accessing resources. Students also have the option to enroll in fully online courses.
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 materials required in the workplace. Classroom instruction involves lectures, discussions, small group projects, visual presentations, fieldwork, research, reflections, and case studies. 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 program’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. All courses incorporate theory, practice, and critical thinking.
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 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.
General Education Program (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.
For specific requirements, see the General Education Program (42 credits) section.
II. 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. Concentration courses are offered exclusively on-line
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.
A. Substance Use Disorder Counseling Concentration
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 (six credits under the course numbers PROJ 350, and 351) by completing a project that is in the field of addiction studies.
- Note: The Substance Use Disorder Concentration does not lead to licensure or certification. Prospective students who are interested in licensure or certification are encouraged to contact their respective state licensure department for information.
1. Required Courses (12 credits):
2. 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.
a. Addiction Theory / Treatment Knowledge
c. Professional Readiness
B. Community Youth Development and Leadership Concentration
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 Leadership 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 Community Youth Development and Leadership Concentration must fulfill their requirements for Group Project (six credits under the course numbers PROJ 350, and 351) by completing a project that is in the field of youth development.
1. Required Courses (12 credits):
2. 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.
a. Organizational Courses
b. Criminal Justice Courses
c. Counseling / Psychology Courses
C. Criminal Justice Concentration
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 (6 credits - PROJ 350 and PROJ 351) by completing a project relevant to the field of criminal justice.
1. Required Courses (21 credits):
2. Elective Courses (3 credits):
D. Early Childhood Education Concentration
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 families 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 (six credits under the course numbers PROJ 350 and PROJ 351) by completing a project that is in the field of early childhood education.
- Students who enter the Human Services / Early Childhood Education program with a C.D.A. may be waived from ECED 210, ECED 310, ECED 410 and ECED 486.
1. Required Courses (12 credits):
2. Area of Focus
Select either the Classroom-Based or Administration Track.
a. Classroom-Based Track (12 credits)
b. Administration Track (9 credits):
3. Additional recommended Courses (to complete a total of 24 credits in the concentration)
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