Human Services (BS)

Director: Robert Nida, PhD

Introduction

The field of human services is an applied academic discipline that involves the study of social systems with the goal of finding solutions to prevent and remediate human problems. The discipline seeks to meet basic human needs and advocate for change in societal systems that affect the lives of individuals. In accordance with these goals, the Human Services program is designed to prepare students for professional work in the public, private, non-profit, and for-profit sectors. A degree in Human Services also enables students to pursue graduate studies in social work, counseling, public policy, public administration, and other social sciences programs.

The course work in the major is based on sound theory and research and offers a broad and coherent foundation of knowledge in the discipline. Students have the opportunity to take field-based coursework through practica and supervised internships within human service agencies. The program also offers flexibility, in that students are permitted to choose from one of two tracks:

• Schools and Community
• Child, Youth and Family Development

Please see the department’s website for a more detailed description of the program, faculty, facilities, academic and co-curricular opportunities.

Qualifications

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in human Services. All students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate.

Advisement

All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one.  Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

Double Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement.  In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the appropriate double major request form and get the signature of each department chairperson and the appropriate associate dean. 

Per college policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major.  Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree, regardless of the number of majors they complete.

Minors in Other Disciplines

Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major.  Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. The minors page provides a complete list of minors and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.

Major Experiences

Human Services majors are encouraged to become active members in the service opportunities provided on campus. Service opportunities include joining the Griffins Giving Back club and attending service trips both domestically and internationally through our Campus Ministry office. Getting involved with organizations such as these can increase one’s awareness of the social problems impacting our society and obtain first-hand experience with the fields they may choose to enter.

Curriculum

An Ignatian Foundation

All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.

Free Electives

Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).

Major Requirements

All Human Services Majors

Major Electives

In addition to the required courses listed above, you need to choose one of two tracks: schools and community, or child, youth and family development. Each track requires the completion of 3 electives in that specific area. Exceptions can be made in consultation with the program director.

Roadmap

Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Course Requirements

Learning Goals & Objectives

Learning Goal 1: Candidates in the Human Services Program will demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical, and professional knowledge necessary for successful performance in their field.

Students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts and theories of the field of human services
• Demonstrate knowledge of research methodologies used in the field of human services
• Demonstrate and understanding of how individuals, families, and cultures function in society and the relationships among societal structures.

Learning Goal 2: Candidates in SEHS programs will demonstrate professional skills and dispositions necessary for successful performance in their field.

Students will:

• Apply human services concepts and theories to specific problems of human society
•  Apply quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to solve problems in society
•  Demonstrate good people helping  and communication skills
•  Demonstrate effective leadership skills

Learning Goal 3: Candidates in SEHS programs will demonstrate willingness to use their skills to benefit and serve society.  Within the contexts of their work, candidates promote authentic learning, social and emotional development, and a commitment to social justice in environments that foster respect for diversity and the dignity of all.  

Students will:

•  Actualize the Canisius College Jesuit mission by providing “cura personalis” to clients of human service agencies
•  Understand how personal and societal change takes place and how to facilitate change in a constructive way
•  Acquire and apply ethical and moral decision making practices in the field of human services.
•  Demonstrate best practices in the field of human services

Learning Goal 4: Candidates will demonstrate self-reflection as a habit of mind, continuously assessing and refining their professional practice as they construct a rich repertoire of research-based knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective performance ensuring that all students and/or clients have optimal opportunities to learn and grow.

Students will:

•  Learn evidence-based intervention strategies in the field of human services
•  Learn evidence-based assessment instruments to measure program quality and to use the evidence to make effective changes in professional practice
•  Learn fundamentals of designing and managing professional agencies and how to adapt in response to individual, familial, and societal demands.

Learning Goal 5: Candidates will become adept at applying their acquired knowledge in the process of evaluating their own professional performance and decision-making with respect to its impact on students and/or clients, organizations, and the wider community

Students will:

• Demonstrate the ability to reflectively connect their efforts to the success and well-being of those that they serve.

Courses