HMSV 1100 - Introduction to Human Services

3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

This core course serves as an introduction to the breadth and nature of human services work. Students will become acquainted with a variety of human service agencies at local, state and federal levels (i.e., their organization and administration, potential as hiring placements, and scope of services). The course facilitates students’ awareness of the theoretical perspectives, issues and ideological dilemmas in the field of human services. The required supervised practicum experience (30 hours within a ten week time span) allows students to “shadow” human service workers in local agencies as they go about their daily activities, thereby gaining firsthand understanding of the nature of the work and the realities of a profession in the discipline of social welfare. This course is a prerequisite for most other Human Services courses.