Human Services

Welcome to Human Services

On behalf of the Dept. of Human Services, I extend our warm welcome.  As you review the materials contained herein, you will find that Human Services is an exciting major and it will enable you to be a professional helper after graduating with the degree.  Many of us in the field have been enriched by the variety of work experiences as well as lives touched.  I invite you to contact us with any questions and we hope to meet you as you consider your major.

Department Chair: Dr. Phu Phan


The definition of Human Services is very broad and there is no one definition that fits. Below are some definitions that fit:

Human Services are the "activities of modern society that enhance the well-being of its citizens" (Burger, 2014)

"Human Services uses a multidisciplinary, holistic, and eclectic approach to helping people with various needs" (Kanel, 2008)

Mission

The mission of the program is to provide diverse members of the community with a university education that focuses on the knowledge and skills to help those in need. The bachelor's degree in Human Services prepares students for occupations in human service settings and in social work, or for graduate training.

Program Description

The Human Services major at CSUDH is a single subject major (no minor required) that prepares students who earn the B.A. degree for employment in a variety of professional service careers. This major is interdisciplinary and combines courses from Human Services, Child Development, Health Sciences, Leisure Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology and other areas. It is similar to a degree in social work, and it is a great major for people who want meaningful jobs helping others and serving their communities.

This interdisciplinary program includes:

  • A set of core courses that provide a broad background of the knowledge and skills needed to help improve the quality of life of those in need.
  • Electives that provide specialized, in-depth training in an area of concentration are chosen and designed by the student.
  • Supervised work in the field of human services through a series of fieldwork courses.
  • Full-day, evening, and Saturday programs are offered.

The major appeals to caring, socially concerned, people-oriented individuals who want to learn how to serve the community effectively. Human services help those in need through:

Counseling

Education

Outreach

Training

Program development

Caregiving

Advocating

Group facilitation

Organizing

Problem-solving

Planning

Administration

Evaluation and a variety of direct and indirect services.

These services are provided through a wide range of government and private agencies and organizations, such as mental health agencies, family service centers, geriatric care, detox centers, educational settings, the corrections system, recreation departments, children's services, hospitals, community groups, Department of Children and Family Services, and many others.

Students will be able to apply for the following Graduate programs (just to name a few): 

Masters in

Social Work

Masters in

Marriage and Family Therapy

Masters in

Occupational Therapy

Masters in

School Counseling (K-12)

Masters in 

College Counseling

General Counseling

- Addiction Counseling

-Substance Abuse

-Mental Health

Seven (7) Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1. Assessment Skills: Display ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate human
services as they apply to target populations of individuals, groups, and organizations.

2. Applying Theory to Practice: Use psychological, sociological, and behavioral theory and other concepts and models to practice and promote prevention, maintenance, rehabilitation, and healthy human functioning.

3. Assessing and Implementing Best Practices: Identify and select research on current best practices and apply them to issues/problems faced by clients in practice.

4. Critical Thinking: Critically examine how historical and current political, legislative and economic climate impacts the practice of human services.

5. Values and Ethics: Apply ethical and professional standards to the practice of human services.

6. Advocacy: Demonstrate ability to affect social change through advocacy work at all levels of society.

7. Cultural Competency: Use diverse cultural values and knowledge to inform professional practice.

Department Office

Location: Social Behavioral Science(SBS)
Phone: (310) 243-3461
Email: hus@vaftizo.com