B.S. in Human Services
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Services prepares students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of community services settings. Students in the program learn the roles and functions of the human services worker, characteristics of human growth and development; characteristics of human services agencies; theories and skills of human services, and how ethical issues, legal issues, and multi-cultural issues affect the work of the human services worker. Graduates are prepared to assist clients in coping successfully with developmental tasks of normal growth and in solving problems caused by personal, social, and environmental stress. Graduates may be employed in a wide variety of settings including mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse, aging or gerontology, domestic violence, youth service, correction or criminal justice, education or schools, health care, recreation or fitness, and vocational rehabilitation.
The HMSV major may be pursued on the main campus through Old Dominion's TELETECHNET program for distance learners. The minor in human services is also a good compliment for many of the majors offered at ODU, such as recreational therapy, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, community health, gerontology, and special education. The above links lead to the current major and minor curriculum sheets. All human services students should be thoroughly familiar with the Program Handbook.
Types of jobs for Human Services majors include Case Worker, Family Support Worker, Child Abuse Worker, Community Outreach Worker, Social Service Liaison, Mental Health Aide, Residential Counselor, Behavioral Mgt Aide, Intake Interviewer, Case Management Aide, Eligibility Counselor, Social Work Assistant, Psychological Aide, Adult Day Care Worker, Life Skills Instructor, Assistant Case Manager, Residential Manager, Social Service Aide, Group Activities Aide, Probation Officer, Case Monitor, Rehabilitation Case Worker, Child Advocate, Juvenile Court Liaison, Gerontology Aide, Community Organizer, Home Health Aide, Therapeutic Assistant, Youth Worker, Halfway House Counselor, Parole Officer, and Social Service Technician.
Those who want to do more clinical work obtain master's degrees in counseling. Some have a career goal of becoming a licensed professional counselor which involves successfully completing 60 graduate hours of course work including a graduate degree in counseling, 4,000 hours of supervised counseling experience after course work is completed, and the licensing examination.