The human services administration major
addresses the needs of students who are moving into supervisory and administrative
roles in the human services or in related settings such as education,
health care, or human resource administration. A combination of knowledge
and skills in both management and human development provides a strong
foundation for enacting such administrative roles.
Students majoring in human services
administration will enhance their knowledge and skills in working with
all the following: the clients or consumers served by their agencies,
their employees and colleagues, the organizations delivering the services,
and the wider social context in which these organizations are embedded.
Specifically, coursework in the human
services administration major emphasizes knowledge and skills in several
areas:
Human development across the life
span. The core of the human development component of the major is
a series of three courses examining in detail the development of the
individual from conception through childhood, adolescence, adulthood,
and old age. One may also take a course in Dying As a Stage of Life.
The series provides an understanding not only of those receiving services,
but also of employees and colleagues and their families. All courses
devote considerable attention to implications for intervention in the
human services.
Principles of effective management
and the functioning of organizations. Courses in management theory
and practice, organization behavior and decision making, and
human resource management contribute to the knowledge needed
to function effectively
and take a leadership role in one’s organization.
The wider social context of organizations.
This theme is emphasized throughout the curriculum so that students become
increasingly aware of the impact of social conditions and social policy
on the human services. In addition, a professional development seminar
specifically addresses issues of service delivery and social policy in
the human services system.
Skills for effective management.
Several courses, including some in the general education sequence, enhance
the skills needed for effective management in the human services. These
skills include grant writing, budget planning, strategic marketing, social
research methods, and leadership. Practicum placements with a variety
of agencies provide the opportunity to gain valuable field experience
in the administration of human services. The senior project in human services
administration allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to
address a problem or unmet need in the workplace or the community.
In summary, the human services administration
major provides a combination of fundamental knowledge of human development
and management, coupled with skill-building courses, in a curriculum emphasizing
the application of knowledge in the workplace. Graduates are well prepared
for leadership roles in their organizations. They also have the strong
academic background they need to pursue graduate study in such fields
as social service administration, public administration, education, and
human resource administration.
See Degree
Requirements for the Human Services Administration Major.
