Major: Human Services
Careers and academic programs in human services have their roots in 1950s America. One reason is the movement to deinstitutionalize people with mental illness. In other words, they were brought out into the community instead of shut away in mental hospitals.
As more people with mental illness entered society, there grew a need for workers who could attend to their needs. In 1956, the National Institute of Mental Health responded to the situation. It funded the first associate's degree program in human services at Purdue University in Indiana.
Human services majors learn how to help people meet basic physical and emotional needs. They go on to assist professionals such as social workers or to become professionals themselves.
“[Human services] has such profound impact on … the daily lives of children, adults, the elderly, families, and communities. ”
Tuesday L. Cooper, Associate Dean, School of Education, Professional Studies, and the Graduate Division,
Eastern Connecticut State University
Are You Ready To...?
- Participate in classroom discussions
- Complete group learning projects
- Study a foreign language
- Complete an internship
- Visit the website for a professional organization such as the National Organization for Human Services Education
It Helps to Be...
A caring, patient person with great communication skills. You'll enjoy this major if you are open to helping people from various backgrounds who face challenges ranging from teen pregnancy to life-threatening illness. You'll thrive if you can work both on your own and with others.
College Checklist
- Is the program accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education?
- If this is a two-year program, does it focus more on preparing students for the workforce or for further education?
- Does the program focus more on direct service (one-on-one contact with clients) or on human services management (supervising employees)?
- Can you specialize in an area of special interest such as addiction?
- Does the program have partnerships with local human services organizations?
- What types of hands-on learning opportunities does the program offer?
Did You Know?
- Once you graduate, you may specialize -- working with addicts, families, or older adults, for example.
Course Spotlight
Before you graduate, you'll probably get some hands-on experience at a human services agency. You might accompany groups of elderly people on outings. Or maybe you'll help victims of domestic violence get back on their feet.
If you're lucky, you'll be placed in more than one agency during your studies. That way, you can start deciding which settings suit you best. These internships are a great way to build your skills while getting advice from professors and fellow students and helping people who need you.
