New students can start the program each August, January, or June.
Human Services continue to grow due to the needs in social assistance, mental health and substance abuse problems, and counseling and healthcare services being needed by people from all walks of life.
Designed to Help You Help Others
Lander University's B.S. in Human Services program is a natural fit for anyone wishing for a successful career in human services-within a governmental agency, nonprofit organization, healthcare institution, hospital, or business that specializes in providing care for a specific population.
Success for a career in Human Services most likely results from a strong foundation in applied Psychology and Sociology and a program that aims to increase students' knowledge, application, and critical thinking skills. Lander's program will prepare graduates to work in government agencies, healthcare institutions, or non-profit organizations as a case worker, case manager, counselor, or advocate with the ability to have the necessary skills to succeed as a supervisor in public, non-profit, or private settings as further work experience is gained.
Employment options include child and youth service agencies, mental health facilities, group homes, correctional institutions, healthcare institutions, or programs related to alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, or aging. A bachelor's degree allows a person to serve as case manager, mental health assistant, or counselor, but a master's degree is required to serve in a clinical capacity as a social worker, counselor, or therapist. This program would provide students with the ability to seek additional certification or graduate education if desired, such as a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree or a master's level program in marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, or mental health counseling.
About the Human Services Program
The program curriculum centers around core courses in Human Services and blends applied Psychology and Sociology courses. Students are exposed to key areas for knowledge about abuse (e.g. drug and alcohol) and counseling (e.g. marriage and family therapy or crisis intervention) while understanding different populations to enable options for a successful career. Exposure to courses related to the creation and management of budgets, developmental psychology and well-being, and policy analysis within healthcare and social welfare arenas will further students' planning, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Students are able to choose many lower- and upper-level program electives to connect with specific career interests.
Student could earn the degree in four years on the main campus, but those who have earned an associate's degree (or who have two years of coursework in human services, psychology, and/or sociology), could lessen their time to earning a B.S. degree. The curriculum was designed in partnership with those technical colleges that award an A.A.S. in Human Services.
Offered On Campus, Online and at UCG
The B.S. in Human Services is offered through traditional face-to-face and online environments on Lander's main campus in Greenwood and through a blended/hybrid environment at the University Center of Greenville.
At Lander's main campus and online, students can pursue this degree within a four-year timeframe.
If students have 60 hours of coursework or an associate's degree, the timeframe could be two years or less if a full load of courses is taken in fall, spring, and summer terms.
Lander's main campus offers options for courses that are face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Courses at the UCG are in a hybrid mode, but a full course load of 12-15 hours would likely involve some online courses for progress toward completing the degree. UCG students also have the option of taking courses on Lander's main campus.
While the entire program is offered online, an advantage of pursuing this program on the main campus is the closer relationships and mentorship by faculty as well as opportunities for undergraduate research. Students in any degree mode are encouraged to pursue internships and experiential learning.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Transfer Pathway Guides
Lander University has developed articulation agreements with the South Carolina State Technical College system to improve students’ transition from a technical college to Lander University.
Below is the Suggested Course Sequence to help students progress smoothly through the technical college of their choice and Lander University to earn both an Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services (LU). All courses listed are required for the degrees, except those where a range of courses is available to choose from, or where courses are listed as electives. The course sequence shown is an example and may be modified in some cases. Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure the chosen courses keep them on track for a timely graduation.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 | CREDIT HOURS |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Core Skills |
|
||
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Inquiry I | 3 | |
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Inquiry II | 3 | |
| MATH 211 |
Statistical Methods I |
3 | |
|
B. Humanities and Fine Arts |
6 | ||
| C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives | |||
| SOCI 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | |||
| Approved Science or Mathematics | 3 | ||
| Approved Lab Science | 4 | ||
| E. Founding Documents of the United States | |||
| POLS 1012 |
American National Government |
3 | |
| F. World Cultures | 3 | ||
| G. LINK 101 | 1 | ||
| University Requirement | |||
| FALS 101 | 15 FALS-approved events (Temporarily suspended) |
0 |
|
| Total General Education Requirements | 35 | ||
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
2 If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R
| MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| HUS 201 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 |
| HUS 217 | Drug and Alcohol Counseling OR HUS 235 Group Dynamics |
3 |
| HUS 322 | Marriage and Family Therapy OR HUS 337 Crisis Intervention and Prevention OR HUS 389 Special Populations |
3 |
| HUS 499 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| PSYC 203 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 212 | Interviewing and Counseling | 3 |
| SOCI 202 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOCI 398 | Methods of Social Research OR HUS 300 Program Evaluation |
3 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting and Non-Profits (select 1) POLS 318, SOCI 315 |
3 | |
Developmental Psychology and Well-Being (select 1) PSYC 303, PSYC 312, PSYC 314, PSYC 315, PSYC 362, PSYC 405, PSYC 416, SOCI 322 |
3 | |
Healthcare and Social Welfare (select 1) PSYC 311, SOCI 314 or SW 314, SOCI 317 or SW 317, SOCI 321 |
3 | |
| MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES | CREDIT HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
| 200-level CRIM, HUS, PSYC, SW, or SOCI electives |
9 |
|
| 300- or 400-level HUS, PSYC, or SOCI electives or CRIM 350 or CRIM 390 | 6 | |
| Total Major Program Requirements | 48 | |
| Additional Electives | 37 | |
| TOTAL FOR BS DEGREE | 120 | |