The Human Services Administration Major

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.