• Note: For certain locations, program enrollment is onsite with online instruction.

  • This program is offered online.

  • Bachelor of Science in Human Services

    The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a rewarding career in a wide variety of helping professions.† Students are taught to develop their talents, assess clients’ needs, identify community resources, and problem solve and advocate for their client—all with the goal of making a difference in the lives of those unable to help themselves. Bachelor’s degree students will also study how to provide interventions and develop intervention strategies that guide this population to success.

    Bachelor of Science in Human Services Program Highlights

    Through the curriculum’s blending of theory and practice, students study how to critically explore the public and private policies that drive the day-to-day operations of human service agencies in this country and how they can best intervene on behalf of the clients they will serve. This program adheres to the curriculum standards of the Council of Standards in Human Service Education.* 

    The program is designed to help you:

    • Apply critical thinking to real-world situations
    • Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical bases, best practices, and historical and current trends related to the human services profession
    • Identify, plan, and utilize resources to improve client situations
    • Behave professionally, ethically, and legally in the workplace
    • Utilize information and systems to appropriately manage and deliver human services
    • Understand the importance of culture, gender, diversity, and global perspectives when working with clients

    What are the Career Opportunities?

    The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program is designed to prepare graduates with a broad understanding and the practical skills needed to make a positive impact on people’s lives in many areas of human services including mental health, social services, education, rehabilitation, group and community work, nursing homes, court systems, and public policy. Positions may include, but are not limited to, case manager, human services administrator, adult services worker, child welfare worker, program officer, and elderly services provider.† 

    Advanced Start

    If you already have an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university and wish to pursue a career in the human services arena, our advanced start program can help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Services in as little as two years.‡ 

    Bachelor of Science in Human Services Emphasis Areas

    The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program offers three emphasis area options. Focus on an area of interest that best suits your career goals.

    • Human Services Administration: Explore management and administrative roles within the human services arena. The courses are designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills to work with diverse funding sources, influence policy, supervise staff, and advocate on behalf of those most vulnerable in our society. Graduates may assist in situations involving other agencies and players in the human services industry.
    • Gerontology: Focus on the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of humans during the aging process. This emphasis area supports students with an interest in working directly with the growing aging population and as advocates for seniors in our society. The courses are designed to prepare graduates to work with the change process of aging and address how the aging population impacts social policy and program delivery.
    • Child and Family Welfare: Concentrate on the complexities of issues facing children and families in our society. Graduates may assess, evaluate, intervene, and re-evaluate social structures, such as adoption, foster care, child protection, and reunification, as they work with children and families.

  • Kaplan University offers multiple start dates, giving you greater flexibility with your education, life, and work schedules.

    Jun 05

    Online Start Date
    Jun 05, 2013

    Jul 03

    Online and Hagerstown Start Date
    Jul 03, 2013

    Jul 31

    Online and Campus Start Date
    Jul 31, 2013

    View the Academic Calendar

  • Curriculum: Standard Track

    Core

    CM 107: COLLEGE COMPOSITION I (5 Credits)

    Students will learn how to communicate effectively in their professional field using various writing styles. Students will also identify and further develop their own writing process. Grammar and mechanics will be reviewed, helping students focus on the areas that will improve their writing.

    Prerequisites Required: Any Academic Strategies course or any Eight Skills of the Effective Student course

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 220: COLLEGE COMPOSITION II (5 Credits)

    This course helps students apply research and critical thinking skills to develop effective arguments. Students will create professional writings, incorporating post-draft revision strategies, working constructively with colleagues.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CS 204: PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE (3 Credits)

    This course introduces students to multidisciplinary techniques and concepts pertinent to lifelong career development and professionalism. Students explore career planning as a strategy and professionalism as a method in order to pursue employment interests and career goals. Concepts include various professional communication skills appropriate for the global workplace, interpersonal relationship management, professional behavior, financial decision making, marketability, and using proper technologies to manage professional identities. 

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    SS 236: PEOPLE, POWER, AND POLITICS-AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (5 Credits)

    The purpose of this introductory-level American government course is to provide students with crucial knowledge about how government works and about how they, as individual citizens, fit within that system. Focus is on the rights and obligations of citizens under the democratic political system established under the U.S. Constitution; the branches and levels of government; and the role of the media. This fundamental knowledge combined with critical thinking skills will be valuable personally and professionally.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    SS 211: THE 1960S—RESHAPING THE AMERICAN DREAM (5 Credits)

    This course will take an in-depth look at the 1960s as a significant era in American history. Adopting multiple perspectives, we will explore the societal impact of such issues as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the Countercultural, Civil Rights, and Feminist Movements, the advent of the birth control pill, and many others. Through exploring the music, political climate, and advancements in technology and medicine of this historical era, we will discover how our individual lives and society as a whole were forever changed.

    Prerequisites Required: Any college composition course

    SS 250: THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION—A SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC APPROACH (5 Credits)

    This is a social science survey course that will examine science and technology from a variety of social science disciplines including sociology, psychology, history, political science, anthropology, and economics. The use of science and technology has been a driving force behind all of human history, and even more so today. This course will take an interactive approach to study the relationship between humanity and technology throughout time and across the globe.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I Course

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    SC 200: DISCOVERING SCIENCE—CURRENT ISSUES IN A CHANGING WORLD (5 Credits)

    This course is designed to introduce students to some of the most important concepts in science including inheritance, energy, randomness, and measurement. In addition, the course will give students a chance to explore the human aspects of science: how people put science into practice, how societies think about scientific findings, and why science depends on ethical practices. Knowledge gained in the course will help inform further study in many disciplines and will help students better understand how science affects their personal and professional lives.

    SC 246: FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY (5 Credits)

    Fundamentals of Microbiology will review basic microbial cell structure, function, and genetics. The role of microorganisms and their affect on humans and the environment will also be explained. Aspects of medical and public health will be emphasized, as will bacterial and viral diseases, parasites, immunology, and epidemiology. Course material and labs are directly relevant to studies in health sciences, biological sciences, nursing, and genetics.

    SC 235: GENERAL BIOLOGY I-HUMAN PERSPECTIVES (5 Credits)

    In this introduction to biology, students will explore the living world of humans. The course emphasizes the processes of life from the molecular work of genes and proteins to human organ systems, all the way up to food webs and overpopulation. Practical applications of biology in everyday life are stressed throughout the course. No prior study of biology is required to enroll in this nonmajors course.

    SC 250: SCIENCE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE (5 Credits)

    Science for Everyday Life is designed to help students recognize the importance of science as it impacts their daily lives in so many different ways. In this course, students will explore different rooms within a typical home and discover what role science plays as they investigate areas such as their kitchen and bathroom, the garden, and even the impact science has on their families and pets. The knowledge gained in this course will help garner a new appreciation for the science applications already around us and how to interpret the strengths and weaknesses of

    information streaming in from various sources.

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HU 200: CRITICAL EVALUATION IN THE HUMANITIES (5 Credits)

    In this course, students will explore the impact of creative expression on cultures from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. By studying examples from the arts and humanities, students investigate how humans have the potential to shape history. Students develop skills to evaluate and analyze forms of creative expression, and discover how to apply these skills to their career goals, community, and daily experience.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition course

    HU 245: ETHICS (5 Credits)

    In this course, students develop sound ethical reasoning and judgment through the study of practical applications of ethical theories. Topics studied include ethics as it relates to business, health care, society, and the environment. Emphasis is on practical applications of ethical principles and analytical methods.

    Prerequisites Required: CM  220

    HU 250: HUMANITIES AND CULTURE (5 Credits)

    This course is a survey of human social and cultural life through an introduction to humanist theories and historical subject matter. Beginning with village settlement and the rise of cities and ending with the development of modern nations, students study the expression of human ideas and traditions through material and nonmaterial culture. Through readings and discussions, students are introduced to humanist studies and learn to appreciate cultural continuity and change as defining characteristics of the human experience.

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    MM 212: COLLEGE ALGEBRA (5 Credits)

    This course covers topics of algebra, including linear functions, equations, and inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, polynomial functions, rational and radical equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic functions, ratios, proportions, variation, and graphing.

    MM 150: SURVEY OF MATHEMATICS (5 Credits)

    Students will improve their background in mathematical concepts and skills utilizing real-world scenarios to solve math problems. Students will also enhance their own knowledge by demonstrating the ability to explain and interpret concepts, which is a valued skill in many fields. The topics may include sets, variables, measurement, and statistics.

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Major

    CM 206: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS (5 Credits)

    This course introduces students to the principles of interpersonal communication and emphasizes how to be a more effective communicator in professional and personal situations. Emphasis is on interpersonal communication in varying contexts, focusing on professional communication as well as personal, social, and cultural dimensions. Topics include the communication process, the influence of perception on communication, verbal and nonverbal elements of interaction, listening, the communication of emotions, conflict management, and effective communication strategies.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 107

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 115: HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM AND PROFESSION (5 Credits)

    The course introduces students to the human services field and the Kaplan University human services degree programs. The field of study, skill sets, and the various human service agencies and diverse populations encountered in the field will be discussed. Students will research the human services degree and course offerings along with their professional and personal goals in order to map out their specific degree plan and career goals.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 144: HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE ENVIRONMENT (5 Credits)

    Working as a human service professional demands an understanding of the differences and similarities in human behavior. This course will focus on the basic systems or influences that help to define, identity, and explain behavior. Students will examine how family structures, institutions, organizations, and communities contribute to the complex issues facing diverse populations in the twenty-first century. Students will examine ways to incorporate these theories to help them develop practical intervention skills.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 200: SURVEY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS (5 Credits)

    The course exposes students to a broad array of social problems that affect the lives of many Americans. Students will gain insight and tools to analyze social problems, potential solutions, and the effects of these problems on individuals and society. Students will also reflect on their role as change agents for the clients with whom they work.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 205: APPLIED SKILLS FOR HUMAN SERVICES (5 Credits)

    Students will gain an understanding of the basic interviewing skills and documentation techniques required of a human service worker. Students will learn how to respond to a variety of situations involving clients with different needs and backgrounds; ask probing questions to elicit the required information; and document the client's needs correctly, considering confidentiality, legal, and ethical implications. The course also addresses a number of other issues critical in human services such as problem solving, avoiding self-disclosure, and cultural sensitivity in verbal and nonverbal communications.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 220: PREVENTION AND CRISIS INTERVENTION (5 Credits)

    Students will learn appropriate and ethical prevention and intervention strategies. Using case studies and scenarios, students will identify risk factors that contribute to crisis situations and distinguish between intervention and prevention strategies. Particular attention is given to crisis situations involving youth, families, and the elderly in a variety of settings.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 300: HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL POLICY (6 Credits)

    Students will explore the relationships between social policies, government, and the services provided by human services agencies. They will also analyze these relationships and their influence on service delivery. Students will gain an understanding of the history of social policies that have influenced ethical interventions with diverse populations.

    Prerequisites Required:

    HN 200

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 330: CASE MANAGEMENT IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will learn the importance of time management and how to prioritize and organize data, skills critical for working effectively with human services clients. Through the use of case studies, students will assess client needs and determine the types of data necessary to ensure the ethical delivery of services. Students will practice essential interviewing skills and explore best practices in recording data from these interviews.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 410: HUMAN SERVICES DELIVERY (6 Credits)

    This course focuses on a strategic approach to planning and evaluating the services delivered to clients. Topics will include the systems and practices found in human service agencies. Students will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to interpret the data they collect. Using real-world scenarios, students will design and evaluate ethical interventions for clients.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 300

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    MM 207: STATISTICS (5 Credits)

    This course serves as an introduction to collecting, organizing and summarizing, and analyzing data using statistical software. Topics include basic terminology, measurement, sampling procedures, graphical and numerical descriptions of data, basic probability, and making inferences from a sample to the population. Statistical software is provided in the course and extensive use of that software is required. The course focuses on “thinking with” statistics rather than “computing” statistics.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    PS 124: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (5 Credits)

    This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    EMPHASIS AREA COURSES (24 Credits)

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 499: BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE FOR HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Human Services. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of the final term of the Bachelor of Science in Human Services or permission from the program Dean

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Electives

    OPEN ELECTIVES (59 Credits)

    Total Electives Credits: 59
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area

    HN 370: CHILD WELFARE AND FAMILY (6 Credits)

    This course will assist students who will be working with children and their families in a human services setting. Students will examine how the family functions as a system and they will use this information to develop proper communication techniques and intervention skills for working with children and families. Students will design a list of resources and materials that will assist human service workers that choose to work with this population.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 377: STUDIES IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (6 Credits)

    This course explores the various aspects of child and adolescent development, including the psychological, social, emotional, cognitive, and biological changes specific to these age groups. Students will identify milestones of development, typical and atypical behavior, and the interrelationship between the person, family, and community. Using real-world scenarios, students will design ethical interventions based on the theoretical understanding of this population.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 430: ADVOCACY FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH (6 Credits)

    Very often, human services professionals are called upon to be advocates for children and families in need. Advocates must know how to help others that cannot, for one reason or another, help themselves. In this course, students will be introduced to the roles and skills necessary to intervene on behalf of children and families as a human service professional. Students will analyze the influence of biological, social, economic, and cultural forces on children and their families. As a result, students will design ethical interventions that will aid them in their role as an advocate for those in need.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 450: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Gerontology Emphasis Area

    HN 360: THE AGING POPULATION AND SOCIETY (6 Credits)

    This course will focus on the fastest-growing population in the United States. Students will examine research in the field of gerontology and analyze the effects on society of serving the aging population. Topics include the health care system, the economy, legislation and social action, and the media's influence on society's perception of the elderly. Students will analyze the current issues that have shaped ethical interventions for the elderly in a global society.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 365: PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING (6 Credits)

    This course focuses on developmental research about the psychological characteristics of aging. Students will explore common perceptions and misconceptions about development in later life, as well as the social and biological factors that contribute to the maturation of the aging person. Students will evaluate psychological theories that will aid them in developing ethical interventions.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 420: SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN AGING (6 Credits)

    This course explores the effects of aging on the elderly population's social, emotional, and physical health. Students will examine the influences of health, nutrition, and social relationships on adults in the later stages of life. Topics will include retirement, housing and transportation, leisure and recreation, family life, social support, elder abuse, bereavement, and death and dying. Using real-world scenarios, students will develop solutions to some of the dilemmas faced by this growing population.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 450: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Human Services Administration Emphasis Area

    HN 345: PUBLIC RELATIONS IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (6 Credits)

    Students will acquire the skills administrators use to develop successful relationships with the community and media. They will develop effective public relations strategies for not-for-profit organizations. This will include distinguishing between audiences and tailoring the strategies appropriately. Students will also analyze the influence of the media on providing ethical services to clients.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 347: PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION (6 Credits)

    Students will examine the complexities of public personnel issues faced by human services administrators. Through the use of case studies and activities, students will differentiate between the issues affecting the public and private sectors. Students will also create solutions to these issues.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 400: PROPOSAL DESIGNS FOR HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will be introduced to a variety of proposal models used in human services. They will research potential funding opportunities that meet predetermined criteria. Students will analyze existing proposals and design a proposal with a focus specific to human services delivery programs.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HN 450: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Prior Degree

    Total Prior Degree Credits (90 Credits)

    Total Prior Degree Credits: 90
    Total Program Credits: 90

    *Comparability is determined by a course-by-course examination of the prior associate's or bachelor's degree against the core requirements of a Kaplan University associate’s degree.

    Prerequisites

    HN 115: HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM AND PROFESSION (5 Credits)

    The course introduces students to the human services field and the Kaplan University human services degree programs. The field of study, skill sets, and the various human service agencies and diverse populations encountered in the field will be discussed. Students will research the human services degree and course offerings along with their professional and personal goals in order to map out their specific degree plan and career goals.

    Total Prerequisites Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 144: HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE ENVIRONMENT (5 Credits)

    Working as a human service professional demands an understanding of the differences and similarities in human behavior. This course will focus on the basic systems or influences that help to define, identity, and explain behavior. Students will examine how family structures, institutions, organizations, and communities contribute to the complex issues facing diverse populations in the twenty-first century. Students will examine ways to incorporate these theories to help them develop practical intervention skills.

    Total Prerequisites Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 200: SURVEY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS (5 Credits)

    The course exposes students to a broad array of social problems that affect the lives of many Americans. Students will gain insight and tools to analyze social problems, potential solutions, and the effects of these problems on individuals and society. Students will also reflect on their role as change agents for the clients with whom they work.

    Total Prerequisites Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Core

    200 LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    200 LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    200 LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    200 LEVEL: PROFESSIONALISM AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT COURSE (3 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Major

    HN 300: HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL POLICY (6 Credits)

    Students will explore the relationships between social policies, government, and the services provided by human services agencies. They will also analyze these relationships and their influence on service delivery. Students will gain an understanding of the history of social policies that have influenced ethical interventions with diverse populations.

    Prerequisites Required:

    HN 200

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 330: CASE MANAGEMENT IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will learn the importance of time management and how to prioritize and organize data, skills critical for working effectively with human services clients. Through the use of case studies, students will assess client needs and determine the types of data necessary to ensure the ethical delivery of services. Students will practice essential interviewing skills and explore best practices in recording data from these interviews.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 410: HUMAN SERVICES DELIVERY (6 Credits)

    This course focuses on a strategic approach to planning and evaluating the services delivered to clients. Topics will include the systems and practices found in human service agencies. Students will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to interpret the data they collect. Using real-world scenarios, students will design and evaluate ethical interventions for clients.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 300

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    EMPHASIS AREA COURSES (24 Credits)

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 499: BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE FOR HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Human Services. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of the final term of the Bachelor of Science in Human Services or permission from the program Dean

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Electives

    OPEN ELECTIVES (24 Credits)

    Total Electives Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area

    HN 370: CHILD WELFARE AND FAMILY (6 Credits)

    This course will assist students who will be working with children and their families in a human services setting. Students will examine how the family functions as a system and they will use this information to develop proper communication techniques and intervention skills for working with children and families. Students will design a list of resources and materials that will assist human service workers that choose to work with this population.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 377: STUDIES IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (6 Credits)

    This course explores the various aspects of child and adolescent development, including the psychological, social, emotional, cognitive, and biological changes specific to these age groups. Students will identify milestones of development, typical and atypical behavior, and the interrelationship between the person, family, and community. Using real-world scenarios, students will design ethical interventions based on the theoretical understanding of this population.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 430: ADVOCACY FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH (6 Credits)

    Very often, human services professionals are called upon to be advocates for children and families in need. Advocates must know how to help others that cannot, for one reason or another, help themselves. In this course, students will be introduced to the roles and skills necessary to intervene on behalf of children and families as a human service professional. Students will analyze the influence of biological, social, economic, and cultural forces on children and their families. As a result, students will design ethical interventions that will aid them in their role as an advocate for those in need.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 450: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Child and Family Welfare Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Gerontology Emphasis Area

    HN 360: THE AGING POPULATION AND SOCIETY (6 Credits)

    This course will focus on the fastest-growing population in the United States. Students will examine research in the field of gerontology and analyze the effects on society of serving the aging population. Topics include the health care system, the economy, legislation and social action, and the media's influence on society's perception of the elderly. Students will analyze the current issues that have shaped ethical interventions for the elderly in a global society.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 365: PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING (6 Credits)

    This course focuses on developmental research about the psychological characteristics of aging. Students will explore common perceptions and misconceptions about development in later life, as well as the social and biological factors that contribute to the maturation of the aging person. Students will evaluate psychological theories that will aid them in developing ethical interventions.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 420: SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN AGING (6 Credits)

    This course explores the effects of aging on the elderly population's social, emotional, and physical health. Students will examine the influences of health, nutrition, and social relationships on adults in the later stages of life. Topics will include retirement, housing and transportation, leisure and recreation, family life, social support, elder abuse, bereavement, and death and dying. Using real-world scenarios, students will develop solutions to some of the dilemmas faced by this growing population.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 144

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 450: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Gerontology Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Human Services Administration Emphasis Area

    HN 345: PUBLIC RELATIONS IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (6 Credits)

    Students will acquire the skills administrators use to develop successful relationships with the community and media. They will develop effective public relations strategies for not-for-profit organizations. This will include distinguishing between audiences and tailoring the strategies appropriately. Students will also analyze the influence of the media on providing ethical services to clients.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 347: PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION (6 Credits)

    Students will examine the complexities of public personnel issues faced by human services administrators. Through the use of case studies and activities, students will differentiate between the issues affecting the public and private sectors. Students will also create solutions to these issues.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 400: PROPOSAL DESIGNS FOR HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will be introduced to a variety of proposal models used in human services. They will research potential funding opportunities that meet predetermined criteria. Students will analyze existing proposals and design a proposal with a focus specific to human services delivery programs.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    HN 450: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES (6 Credits)

    Students will distinguish between the legal and ethical issues faced by the human service worker in a global society. Through activities and case studies, students will create solutions that adhere to legal and ethical guidelines in human services. The solutions will align with issues found in the administration, gerontology, or child and family welfare emphasis area.

    Prerequisites Required: HN 200

    Total Human Services Administration Emphasis Area Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Tuition & Fees: Standard Track

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

    Standard Track Online &
    Learning Center     		Campus
    Cost Per Credit
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    Tuition and Fees

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    Notice to Learning Center Students

    Kaplan University Learning Center students will only complete a portion of this program on site. You will need to complete at least 50% of the program requirements online, or through transfer credit awarded via prior learning assessment. If you have any questions about these requirements, please speak with an admissions advisor.

    Scholarships and Grants

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    Kaplan University tuition reductions (including active-duty, spouse, and veterans military tuition rates; scholarships; grants; vouchers; and alumni and alliance reductions) cannot be combined. 

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  • Some states have additional curricular requirements. Check the University Catalog or speak with an Admissions Advisor.

  • * This program is not accredited by the Council of Standards in Human Service Education. 

    † Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

    ‡ Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and credits considered to be remedial, occupational, or specialized may not be accepted for transfer. Average completion time based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete. Refer to the University Catalog for our Transfer of Credit policy.

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