Human Services Major
Employment projections for the next decade show that job opportunities will be plentiful in the field of Human Services. As a Waynesburg College Human Services Major, we will provide you with the knowledge and the hands-on expereince to prepare you for this promising vocational field.
When the faculty gathered to design this academic program, they asked themselves the question, "What do people who manage human service agencies actually do at their agencies?" They concluded that human service managers server clients with special emotional, physical, and interpersonal needs. In addition, they manage employees; they deal with local, state, and federal government agencies; speak to various local and civic groups; write reports and grant proposals; and even design brochures.
The answer to that simple question produced a program that provides both the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience you need to succeed as a human services professional. You will learn theory and skills from a wide variety of academic disciplines including business, digital technology, communication, and English, and of course, the social sciences of psychology, sociology, and political science.
Upon completion of this program, you may be employed in a variety of settings: social work, mental health, substance abuse, aging/gerontology, domestic violence, youth services,childcare, corrections/criminal justice, education/schools, healthcare, recreation/fitness, and vocational rehabilitation.
Completion of this program is also appropriate preparation for graduate work in human services, social work, counseling, criminal justice, sociology, human resources, and law.
The Waynesburg College Human Services major offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary program that provides our graduates with opportunities to compete effectively in a competitive job market. And just as importantly, our program can assist you in discovering your unique gifts and call to serve others in the human services field.
A central feature of the Human Services major in the Human Services Intership. You will have a professionally supervised practical expereince in a public or private human services agency. In this intership, you will complete at least 215 hours in the field plusone hour per week consulation with your supervisory professor. Recent students have completed interships at such agencies as Chestnut Ridge Psychiatric Hospital, State Correctional Institution - Greene County, Greene County Children and Youth Services, Mental Health/Mental Retardation Offices and probation offices. Many other quality internship experiences for our majors are arranged by our Career Services Office through the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. Such a rigorous practical experience has made our graduates "a cut-above" other colleges competing for the jobs in this market.
Three programs in Human Services lead to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. The Bachelor of Arts programs emphasizes educational and social science course content, while the Bachelor of Science program draws from a number of applied science disciplines to provide a comprehensive health approach to human services. The programs prepare students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of community service settings. Graduates may be employed in mental health, substance abuse, aging/gerontology, domestic violence, youth services, childcare, corrections/criminal justice, education/schools, health care, recreation/fitness and vocational rehabilitation settings. Completion of this program is appropriate preparation for graduate work in human services, social work, counseling, criminal justice, sociology, human resources, and law. Students who intend to be admitted into these programs will apply to and meet with an Admissions and Progression Committee (three members of the History, Social Science, Philosophy and Religion department). Application forms may be obtained from the Chair of the Department. Students will also meet with this same committee before they will be permitted to enroll in the Human Services Internship, HSV