Program Overview
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The Bachelor of Science in Human Services BSHS degree is designed for adults who work in select positions in human services areas preparing them for professional advancement or graduate studies. Students develop a professional track that matches their career experiences. To be admitted to the program and to complete the Capstone course, students must have current work or volunteer experience in their professional track.
Earning Credit in Your Professional Track:
The Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree requires applicants to submit a completed Professional Track Form and choose the appropriate track that meets your career experiences. Students must take 18 credits at the 300 and 400 level and select from one of the following tracks: Administration of Justice, Child Development Services, Community Services, Emergency Disaster Services, Gerontology, Health Services, Legal Services, Fitness and Wellness, and Social Services.
The Baccalaureate Capstone course is an in-depth, student-centered experience which requires the integration of theory and practical experience. Students will demonstrate an understanding of their knowledge by applying it to a specific project. Students must have significant current experience (within the last 5 years)* in the field of their area of study in order to complete the degree program. This experience must be documented and approved as soon as possible after enrolling. While this experience is usually full time paid employment, the requirement may also be satisfied through documentation of part time or volunteer experience according to the following standards:
- One year relevant, full time documented employment
- Part time relevant documented employment that consists of at least 1500 hours total experience
- Relevant documented volunteer service, at the appropriate level, that consists of a minimum of 1,500 hours total experience
- Any combination of the above that satisfies the minimum hours of experience
*Currency requirements may be waived at the discretion of the dean.
To enroll in the Baccalaureate Level Capstone course, you must have completed:
- 6 credits of English composition
- 12 credits in Social Science
- 18 credits in professional track
Degree Requirements
SOC-101
PSY-101
SOC-322
- Nine credits in Theoretical Foundation* Theoretical Foundation courses include those pertaining to theory, knowledge, and skills of the human services profession.
- Six credits in Intervention* Intervention courses include those which emphasize theory and knowledge bases for interventions and criteria for selection of appropriate interventions.
- Six credits in Client Populations* Client Population courses include those that emphasize the range of populations served and needs addressed by human services professionals.
- Three credits in research
- Six credits in management
- 18 credits in professional track at the 300-400 level in one area of study such as administration of justice, child development services, community services, emergency disaster services, gerontology, health services, legal services, fitness and wellness or social services
- Six credit Capstone course.
Note
- How Students Earn Credits in the Area of Study: Some courses in the area of study may be completed with Thomas Edison State University and/or courses from other colleges, prior learning assessment PLA and/or examinations may also be used.
- A total of 18 area of study credits must be from courses at the 300 level or above.
Credit Distribution
Courses in the General Education Requirements are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.
I General Education Requirements (60 Credits)
A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)
B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)
| SOC-322 | Cultural Diversity in the United States | 3 |
| ETH-230 | Ethics in the Digital Age | 3 |
| POS-110 | American Government | 3 |
C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (9 Credits)
| SOC-101 | Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSY-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
D. Understanding the Physical and Natural World (6 Credits)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Understanding of the Physical and Natural World.
E. Mathematics (3 Credits)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Mathematics Courses.
F. General Education Electives (18 Credits)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to General Education Electives – Select from any course listed in A, B, C, D or E.
To identify which of these courses is Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), go to Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Courses
II. Area of Study in Human Services (54 Credits)
A. Core Requirements (30 Credits)
a. Theoretical Foundation (9)
b. Intervention (i.e.,
PSY-331 Intro to Counseling) (6)
c. Client Populations (i.e.,
PSY-350 Abnormal Psychology) (6)
d. Management (i.e.,
MAN-301) (6)
B. Research Methods
| SOS-492 | Research Methods in Social Sciences | 3 |
C. Professional Track (18 Credits)
(18 credits at the 300-400 level in one area of study such as gerontology, administration, mental health, administration of justice, emergency disaster services)
For TESU course options, please contact an Advisor.
D. Capstone
| HUS-495 | Bachelor-Level Human Services Capstone | 6 |
III. Electives (6 Credits)
For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.
Total Credit Hours: 120