What is Human Services?
The face of American society today is drastically different from that of our parents and grandparents. In the 21st century, American themes of competitive individualism, economic pressure, social diversity, and community instability are forcing service providers to grapple with human needs in ways that were not imagined in previous generations. The attacks of September 11, 2001 have brought new pressures and concerns to our citizens and created a new awareness of services among needy populations. The Department of Human Services at Metropolitan State College of Denver focuses on preparing students for careers in which they face the diverse challenges involved in helping individuals, couples, and families meet the challenges of living.
The Human Services curriculum prepares students to combine knowledge from the social and behavioral sciences with the art of compassion and understanding to assist people in their lives. Our nationally recognized curriculum, approved by the Council of Standards in Human Service Education and the Human Services Division of the Colorado Department of Health, provides coursework in assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and intervention of psychological and emotional difficulties. Specifically, the training covers counseling and applied psychotherapy theory for individuals, couples, families, and groups; addiction intervention theory and techniques; domestic violence counseling; and non-profit administration principles. Particular attention is given to racial, gender, socioeconomic class, and cultural issues in the delivery of human services. Our core curriculum can be supplemented with an emphasis in
- Addiction Studies
- Domestic Violence Counseling
- High Risk Youth Studies
- Nonprofit Organization Administration
Learning opportunities are provided through classroom and field placement experiences. Classes are small and are highly interactive ensuring a more personalized learning experience. In addition, our non-traditional student population brings a wide range of professional and life experience to the classroom. Field instruction experiences at community agencies further reinforce textbook learning and provide networking opportunities for our students.
Classes are taught by highly qualified instructors who have doctoral and master's degrees in such diverse fields as psychology, social work, theology, education, nursing, human communication, nutrition, sociology, and nonprofit organization administration. Instructors in the Department of Human Services also have real-life experience as practitioners in a variety of human services. Various state licenses and certifications substantiate their expertise. Committed to teaching excellence, our faculty receive some of the highest student ratings in the college.
Graduates with degrees in Human Services are qualified to work in a variety of settings, including community health centers, addiction centers, non-profit public organizations, law enforcement agencies, victims programs, employee assistance programs, religious organizations, and social service agencies. Our program has generated an 87 percent employment rate for our graduates in careers directly related to the major. Many of our graduates go on to complete graduate education in psychology, theology, social work, addiction studies, public administration, or other areas, including business and law.
A bachelor of science degree in Human Services prepares students to become professionals in the art and science of helping others. Students combine the knowledge and experience gained in our program with their own sense of commitment and compassion to help people deal with life's challenges.