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Bachelor of Arts in Human Services

Are you passionate about helping others? Designed to prepare you for further studies or a career in a wide variety of humanitarian professions, you’ll learn to think critically, analyze and apply psychological theories, conduct yourself professionally and ethically, and also how to work on a team. Our experienced faculty have served in various human services positions, so you’ll see firsthand how what you learn in class is applied in the real world.

What You'll Learn

As a Human Services major, you’ll examine current social issues and human services trends in regard to their impact on society, including mental/behavioral health, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, poverty, and substance abuse and dependence. You’ll also gain the skills needed to help improve the lives of those most vulnerable in our society with a thorough understanding of how to identify community resources, problem-solve solutions, and act as a client advocate in a variety of settings.

Tailoring Your Degree

Psychology

Develop a deeper understanding of the “how and why” of human behavior.

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Business Management

Tailored for you to enter the administrative side of human services.

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Criminal Justice

Provides valuable insight into criminology and the legal system.

View Other Minors

Blaze Your Path

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I am glad I picked Human Services as my major at Beacon. With this major, I feel ready to be in the workplace by gaining so much knowledge about what I could run into while working. The professors in the Human Services department are phenomenal and very helpful.

— Ashley Trapp

Many career paths are open to me through the Human Services program, like becoming a social worker or any type of counselor. My favorite part of the program is the variety of interesting courses like Social Policy.

— Genevieve Cabai

Sample Courses

Introduction to Human Services

An overview of the human services field from historical, cultural, and political perspectives. Explores the philosophical and theoretical foundations underlying the necessity for human services in contemporary societies.

Social Policy

This course explores the operational factors involved in the organization of human service agencies, including both intra-agency and inter-agency communication networks involving fiscal management. In addition, this course attends to the major aspects of social welfare in the United States. The course will focus on the policy-making process, the government and social welfare, and understanding and preventing poverty. Students will be taught the role of social policy in American society and its implications for the human services professional.

The Family

A cross-cultural approach to analyzing and understanding the individual, marriage, family, and society. Explores conflict and resolution of family issues and the changing family systems in society.

Methods of Social Research

This course covers basic elements of the use of the scientific method in social science research. Topics covered include techniques and methods of quantitative and qualitative social research as they relate to hypothesis testing, research design, measurement, quantitative data collection methods (surveys, experiments, and single-subject design), and statistical data analysis. The ethics, politics, and uses of social research in the Human Services — including how to develop and submit a research proposal to an agency review board — are included.

Child and Early Adult Development

This course is a survey of the basis of human growth and development. Emotional, mental, physical, and social needs of children, adolescents, and early adults are reviewed. Analysis of the multiple factors that influence and shape behavior and personality is conducted.

Issues and Practices in Child Welfare

This course is designed to prepare students to work with children and families. It will introduce students to current issues affecting children and families today such as poverty, lack of health care, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, bullying, homelessness, and teen pregnancy. Current legislation will be explored in its relationship to services provided for children and families such as educational programs, mental health counseling, foster care and adoption, daycare programs, and residential care. Best practices for program development with children and families will also be discussed.

Ethical Issues in Human Services

A modern survey of the principles and theories of moral conduct within the scope of the human services industry. The behaviors of professionals, consumers, and organizations are scrutinized in a comprehensive study of the moral responsibilities that guide the inter-relationships inherent in the delivery of human services. Moral judgment and decision-making are applied to the establishment and implementation of social policy and its regulation.

Field Experience and Internships

Human Services majors are required to complete 80 hours of experiential learning and internships. The knowledge, skills, and experience you gain — in the classroom and through internships — will boost your resume and your confidence with real-world work experience. Recent internship experiences include working with case workers, counselors, social workers, community outreach, and more.

Career Opportunities

Students with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services can immediately begin working in the field or continue to graduate school for advanced study.

  • Marriage and family counseling
  • Veterans services
  • Children, youth, and family services
  • Rehabilitation case worker
  • Disability services
  • Social work assistant
  • Community outreach worker
  • Child welfare specialist
  • Mental health counselor
  • School counselor
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • Probation officer
  • Home health aide
  • Daycare worker
  • Teaching assistant
  • Mental health counseling

Meet Your Instructors

Dr. Richard Perrone

Associate Professor

352-638-9739rperrone@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Nicole Casillas

Assistant Professor

352-638-9785ncasillas@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Gilbert Franco

Assistant Professor

352-638-9742gfranco@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Andrea Marsden

Associate Professor

352-638-9776amarsden@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Nicoletta Nance

Associate Professor

352-638-9746nnance@beaconcollege.edu

Meet Your General Education Instructors

Dr. Kevin Chandler

Associate Professor

352-638-9772kchandler@beaconcollege.edu

Cathy Vinton

Instructor

352-638-9823cvinton@beaconcollege.edu

Jodi Livingston

Instructor

352-787-1525jlivingston@beaconcollege.edu

Tiffany Calderara

Instructor

352-638-9743tcalderara@beaconcollege.edu

Autumn Welt

Assistant Professor

352-787-1056awelt@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Mary-Anne Primack

Assistant Professor

352-787-2912mprimack@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Patricia Konovalov

Associate Professor

352-638-9815pkonovalov@beaconcollege.edu

Dr. Nancy Wood

Assistant Professor

352-638-9719nwood@beaconcollege.edu

Human Services Minor

Open to all Beacon students, the Human Services minor provides students with a broad view of humanitarian programs, and it can be combined with a degree in another field such as Business Management.

Associate of Arts in Human Services 

The Associate of Arts degree in Human Services provides students with an education foundation before entering the workforce or pursuing further study or professional training. The A.A. program requires the completion of a total of 61 credits with 18 credits in the major.

Learn More About Human Services

To schedule a visit, please contact our admissions team at admissions@beaconcollege.edu or call 352-638-9731 or 855-220-5376 (toll-free).

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