Counseling and Human Services Major
Program Overview
If you’re interested in a career providing individuals, families, and communities with human services, counseling, and social work, our counseling and human services major is a particularly good fit for you.
The degree is highly marketable, with a demand in the workforce that is expected to grow exponentially for the next decade and beyond.
Our program is one of four bachelor-level programs in the Northeast accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education. This promotes the program’s delivery of the highest quality human service education in the nation.
Through a combination of skill development, field work, internships and practice in counseling and human services, our program prepares graduates for work in a variety of settings. As a student in the program, you’ll have the chance to design a program unique to your individual career goals through the various elective courses we offer and the minors and concentrations available across campus. If you're thinking about another major, you might consider a CHS minor.
Upon completing the degree, you will be prepared for graduate studies in professional counseling, social work, human resources, and other areas or entry-level positions in the field of human services. You will also be eligible for a bachelor’s-level national credential – the Human Services Board-Certified Practitioner.
The Curriculum
The 124-credit curriculum offers 58 credits from the major and cognate courses, along with several electives. Students can design a program of study to fit their individual career goals and aspirations. Students who choose to complete the B.S. program in the traditional form will take the following major courses.
Eligible students can also apply for entry into an accelerated B.S./M.S. program by March 1 of their third year. If you are accepted, as an undergraduate, you can take up to 12 graduate credits in one of our graduate counseling programs (Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling) that can count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. That accelerates the graduate degree process and significantly reduces your tuition costs.
We have incredibly supportive, competent, and fun people in the CHS Department, and once students discover our major, they often feel "at home."
Professor Paul Datti, Ph.D., program director
Putting Theory Into Practice
In addition to completing the course curriculum, you’ll also complete 80 hours of community-based learning and two internships that total 350 hours.
This means that you will graduate with at least 430 hours of field work already completed. This not only gives you experience working with various populations, it also allows you to refine your career options and will be a significant asset on your resume. Most importantly, you’ll get to:
- put theory into practice
- provide actual services under clinical supervision, and
- make a difference in the community.
Nationally Recognized Faculty
Our faculty are researchers, practitioners, and educators. They serve in leadership positions in international, national, regional, state and local professional associations. They consistently conduct and present research at professional conferences and are published in top-tier scholarly journals and books.Some of our professors’ research expertise include:
- addictions
- autism spectrum disorder
- career development
- college athletes
- individuals with disabilities
- LGBTQ populations
- spirituality
Learn More About The Major
Career Roadmap
The Center for Career Development is here to help you "map" out your path to success.
Counseling and Human ServicesLearn More
