Academics
Our curriculum is designed to support students in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional in the field of human services or nonprofit management. The Human Services program is accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).
Students who choose to major in Human Services must select a concentration area, which provides a focus for your studies. The department offers five concentrations:
Addiction Studies
Designed for students who want to work in the addictions field. The curriculum is nationally accredited by the International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education (INCASE). Students who complete this concentration qualify to apply to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to become a Certified Addictions Counselor I (CAC I) upon graduation. In addition, we offer the curricula required for CAC II and III.
Domestic Violence Counseling
Designed for students who want to work with survivors of violence and/or with offenders. The curriculum meets standards set by the Domestic Violence Offenders Management Board to become approved to work with domestic violence offenders.
High Risk Youth Studies
Designed for students who want to work with youth in a variety of settings. Students learn about issues that directly impact the lives of youth, as well as the treatment and support network available for youth in the Denver metro area.
Mental Health Counseling
Designed to support students who want to provide direct service to a variety of populations. This concentration provides the most flexible curriculum for students who want to work in the field. Students who want to be counselors are encouraged to continue their education at the graduate level upon graduation.
Nonprofit Studies
Designed for students who want to work in fundraising, volunteer coordination, and other areas of nonprofit management, this concentration offers students the knowledge and skills to be an effective leader in the nonprofit sector.
In addition to the major, we offer a:
- 24-credit minor in Human Services
- 24-credit minor in Nonprofit Studies
- Certificate in High Risk Youth Studies
- Certificate in Nonprofit Studies
Paramedic
In addition to the five concentrations we offer, we have an agreement with Denver Health to support a Paramedic concentration. Students who complete the Paramedic program at Denver Health and earn Colorado State certification as a Paramedic can use the credits from Denver Health towards a Human Services degree. If you are interested in pursuing this option, contact the Chair of the Department for advising.
What is a degree catalog year?
Did you know that your degree catalog determines the classes you will need to graduate? The degree catalog is typically based on the semester you began classes at MSU Denver. Each degree catalog covers an entire year...in other words, the Fall, Spring, and Summer semester of one year all fall under the same degree catalog. As long as you are continuously enrolled at MSU Denver, you will retain the same degree catalog year. If you take three or more semesters in a row off from school, you will be governed by the curriculum in the degree catalog in effect when you return. Students who transfer from an accredited Colorado community college may be eligible to select a degree catalog from up to three years prior to their first semester at MSU Denver. Please see a department advisor if you need assistance determining your degree catalog year.
Why is the degree catalog year important?
MSU Denver made big changes to the General Studies requirements beginning in Fall 2012 and the Department of Human Services made changes to requirements for the major in Fall 2010 and in Fall 2012, so it is vital to know your degree catalog year so that you know what classes are required for both general studies and in the major. Please see a department advisor for more information.
Required Coursework
The required courses for each year are listed in the Catalog. Click on the Fall 2009 catalog if you began before fall 2010; click on the Fall 2010 catalog if you enrolled at MSU Denver anytime between Fall 2010 and Summer semester 2012; click on the Fall 2012 catalog if you started classes at MSU Denver in Fall 2012 or later. If you need assistance determining your degree catalog year, please see a department advisor.
The best way to determine what classes you need to take in order to graduate is to obtain a Curriculum, Advising, Program Plan (often referred to as a CAPP report) and see a department faculty member for advising. Department staff will need to see your MSU Denver Student ID card in order to run the report for you. We cannot guarantee that a staff member will always be available to run your CAPP report on a drop-in basis. We encourage you to call ahead or stop by to request a CAPP report before you come in for advising.
For a description of a specific course, see the College Catalog under Course Descriptions.
Paramedic
In addition to the five concentrations we offer, we have an agreement with Denver Health to support a Paramedic concentration. Students who complete the Paramedic program at Denver Health and earn Colorado State certification as a Paramedic can use the credits from Denver Health towards a Human Services degree. If you are interested in pursuing this option, contact the Chair of the Department for advising.
Certificate in High Risk Youth Studies
Possible occupations (based on http://www.onetonline.org/):
- Social and Human Service Assistants (21-1093)
- Child, Family and School Social Workers (21-1021)
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorders Counselors (21-1011)
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (21-1092)
- Social and Community Service Managers (11-9151)
Program Costs:
16 credits of tuition and fees = $5368
Books = $500
Total = $5,868
On-time completion rate = 100%
Job Placement Data -No data available at this time
Median loan debt -$12,500
