Human Services

Human Services is one of today’s fastest-growing professions, as suggested by the Occupational Outlook Handbook. With a Human Services degree, students can pursue jobs such as health services managers, human services workers, case managers, direct care staff in group homes, residential facility specialists, juvenile officers, probation officers, community support workers, among other positions.

We focus on the different and diverse populations, counseling and intervention for social problems, human development and the integration of a Christian worldview. Psychological, sociological and behavioral concepts will be discussed in order to help students understand and deal with the various issues faced in the human services field.

In accordance with our mission to provide applied learning, we offer opportunities for students to participate in practicums with a local social service agency. Students can use the skills they have cultivated throughout the courses and apply them in a professional setting.

Each of Evangel's academic programs is made up of a set of core curriculum, program requirements and electives. The courses listed below are just a small sample of courses that might be taken as a part of this specific program.

Essential Christianity and the Human Services	Learners receive instruction in concepts related to the integration of their faith with the Human Services profession. Course addresses some of the central concerns of the Christian life, with emphasis on three main areas: spiritual formation for the learner and client, Biblical interpretation and integration of faith and learning.
Behavioral Sciences Seminar	Learners will be introduced the Human Services program and exposed to the educational and professional options available. Opportunities for self-assessment are offered and guidance is given on how to maximize learning styles with course demands. Students are also oriented to professional writing and strategies for success in the Human Services program.
Introduction to Human Services	The course serves as an introduction to the many facets of human services as a profession, including practice with special populations. Learners will be challenged to develop an understanding of the integration of professional practice with Christian perspectives.
Human Growth and Development	Learners will survey the growth and development of the human organism. The biological and social stages of growth from conception to death are considered, with emphasis on the interaction of bio-psycho-social stresses on contemporary human development.
Community Interventions to Social Problems	Learners will study selected social problems addressed by human service workers for the purpose of developing an understanding of the severity of the problems, as well as theories related to their root causes. They will explore approaches to the resolution of these problems within a Judeo-Christian framework.
Helping Skills in the Human Services	Learners in this course will be exposed to core communication skills essential to developing helping relationships. Emphasis is on experiential role-playing and practice in nonverbal expression, active listening, exploration, constructive confrontation, conflict resolution and other interviewing skills essential to a professional helper. The end result of this course should be not only the development of these skills but also the wisdom to know when to use them.
Assessment and Case Management	Learners will study case management, a core component of service delivery in every sector of human services. This course addresses case management roles, functions, models, fields of service, managed care, practice functions and policy issues.
Introduction to Applied Group Process	Learners will be introduced to the psychological dynamics of groups according to the various theoretical approaches. Emphasis will be given to both the knowledge content and personal awareness derived from group participation. Consideration is given to the applications of group skills in both secular and Christian settings.
Practicum Seminar	Learners will receive an orientation to the practicum placement and discuss issues impacting professional practice as human services workers. The practicum experience will include direct practice in a local social service agency under close professional supervision. Students are expected to provide 50 clock hours of service for each hour of academic credit.
Gender and Cultural Diversity	Learners will be engaged in a study of the relationship between minority and majority groups in the United States and the world. The origins of prejudice from historical and sociological perspectives and theories of inter-group relations are addressed. The development of effective Human Services programs for people of differing cultures will be addressed.
Statistical Analysis	Learners will be provided essential tools for statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, vicariate analysis and correlation. Learners will also learn to do hypothesis testing using the following inferential statistics: t-tests, analysis of variance, regression, and nonparametric statistics essential for research and interpreting professional literature in human services. They will learn to present and interpret data in an ethical manner.
Psychopathology	Learners will address the theoretical approaches to psychopathology, the assessment of mental disorders, and a sampling of the present day classification system of disorders with respect to symptomatology and treatment. They will become familiar with the DSM-IV and assessment of Human Services clients.
Introduction to Research in Human Services	Learners will be exposed to the ethical responsibilities related to research in the Human Services and the steps in conducting research. The steps presented include identifying a problem, selecting a research design, sampling, instrumentation and procedures. Students will learn to critique and to conduct research. Procedures for literature review and formulation of research reports are also addressed.
Introduction to Counseling	Learners will be introduced to the major schools of counseling and psychotherapy and will be assisted in developing a personal, theoretical orientation to Human Services. Attention is given to the underlying theoretical assumptions of each approach. Faith integration is emphasized through application of theories to particular case studies and in reaction papers.
Sociology of the Family	Learners will study the family as a social institution, including its functions and history, modern trends and changes and the relationship between the parent and child. Course application will provide opportunities to develop community and family interventions.
Christian Worldview in the Human Services	Learners will evaluate personal values, ethics and worldviews in light of biblical perspectives in this capstone course, addressing values and Christian ethics in the Human Services.

Evangel University's world-class faculty is made up of caring, Christian professionals who are distinguished in their fields and dedicated to the development of tomorrow's Christian leaders.

Health services manager
Human services worker
Case manager
Direct care staff in group home
Residential facility specialist
Juvenile officer
Probation officer
Community support worker

Applicants who have met the following criteria will be considered for admission to the Professional Studies program:

As a boldly Christian university, all of our students have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Graduation from high school or the equivalent of a high school diploma such as the General Education Development (GED) examination.
A minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA in previous college courses. However, in some cases, a student with a weak academic record may be considered. To remain at Evangel, however, you must meet scholastic requirements.

Note: You do not need an associate of arts degree to apply to Evangel.

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