Dec 03, 2024

2024-2025 Springfield College Catalog

Human Services, B.S.

Program Description

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.

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.

Program Highlights

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Required Credits: 120

School: School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences

Department: Human Services

Modality: Blended or Online

Locations: Main Campus (Springfield) or Online Campus

Additional Information: https://springfield.edu/programs/regional-and-online-human-services

Undergraduate Curriculum Overview

The Academic Advising Center provides the following repositories of sequencing and curriculum guides for all undergraduate majors and minors to assist with course planning:

Additional Notes:

There may be circumstances where credit totals do not reflect coursework that is eligible to count towards Core Curriculum and Major Requirement sections of a major simultaneously.
Degree requirements are subject to change.

I. Core Curriculum (40 credits)

This Core Curriculum is faithful to the Springfield College mission and further strengthens the Humanics philosophy of educating students in spirit, mind, and body. It is a cornerstone of a Springfield College education. Regardless of one’s major, it provides a strong, developmental, and holistic foundation for leaders in service to humanity. Upon completion, all graduates will be prepared to learn, lead, and serve in diverse, multicultural, and global contexts as well as in any career path they may choose. They will have the knowledge, habits of the mind, skills, and abilities to face unexpected situations and challenges, the values and attitudes for self-motivation and a vision of service that stems from hope, optimism and making a difference, as well as the self-determination to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

View the Core Curriculum Requirements (40 credits) section for a complete list of the domains and courses therein.

II. Major Requirements (36-60 credits)

A. Required Courses (36 credits)

HUSB 100 - Intro to Human Services Credits: 3
HUSB 109 - Group Dynamics Credits: 3
HUSB 201 - Theories of Oppression Credits: 3
HUSB 210 - Political Economy, Democracy & Community Development Credits: 3
HUSB 225 - Dynamics of Case Management Credits: 3
HUSB 268 - Fundamentals of Program Evaluation Credits: 3
HUSB 305 - Issues in Research Credits: 3
HUSB 308 - Public Finance Credits: 3
HUSB 401 - Health & Human Services Policy Credits: 3
HUSB 416 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3
PROJ 350 - Human Services Practicum I Credits: 3
PROJ 351 - Human Services Practicum II Credits: 3

B. Optional Concentrations (24 credits)

Students may select either of the following optional concentrations:

a. Addiction Studies Concentration (24 credits)

The Addiction Studies concentration is a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes practices that are relevant to the effective development and delivery of addiction services through science-based education, prevention, intervention and treatment in diverse settings.

ADST 100 - Introduction to Addiction Studies Credits: 3
ADST 201 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Standards for Addiction Professionals Credits: 3
ADST 230 - Social and Political Issues and Addictions Credits: 3
ADST 347 - Foundations of Prevention Science Credits: 3
ADST 417 - Addictions Counseling Credits: 3
ADST 486 - Internship Credits: 3
HUSB 240 - Introduction to Psychopathology Credits: 3
HUSB 318 - Intersectionality of Cultural Humility and Human Services Systems Credits: 3

b. Early Childhood Education Concentration (18 credits)

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 18 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.

i. Required Courses (12 credits)

EDUC 211 - Early Childhood Development Credits: 3
EDUC 310 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 325 - Ethical and Professional Standards for Early Childhood Educators Credits: 3
EDUC 340 - Diversity and Multicultural Perspectives in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3

ii. Selectives (6 credits)

Select six additional credits (2 courses.)

EDUC 251 - Infants and Toddlers: Learning through Relationships Credits: 3
EDUC 320 - Children with Special Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 350 - Early Childhood Health, Safety and Nutrition Credits: 3
EDUC 410 - Early Childhood Education Classroom Management Credits: 3
EDUC 420 - Basic Management Skills for Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 450 - Assessment and Documentation in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 486 - Early Childhood Education Internship Credits: 3-12

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