The Human Services program provides training and knowledge in basic helping skills and an understanding of service delivery and program administration needed for entry-level employment in public, private and volunteer human service agencies.

"Human Services" is a term used to include all the professional disciplines that share a common goal of serving people. This program will prepare students for employment in agencies, schools, businesses and centers that value paraprofessionals who bring to the job a combination of college course work and human services field experience.

Human Service graduates assist professionals in all kinds of positions where people help people. These include community and social welfare agencies, mental health and social service agencies, community organizations, habilitation and rehabilitation agencies, day care centers and nursery schools, elementary and secondary schools, and home health aid and geriatric services. The human service worker may provide case management, needs assessment, advocacy, service delivery, crisis intervention and stabilization, as well as program planning and continuation.

While not designed as a transfer program, with careful course selection, graduates could complete the appropriate prerequisites to go on to four-year colleges or universities.

For more information on Human Services studies at BSC, contact Lisa Hoynes, Human Services instructor at (701) 224-5611 or e-mail: Lisa.Hoynes@bsc.nodak.edu.

Requirements:

• Satisfy all admissions requirements
• Earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit to include the following general education (GE) requirements: (Classes listed are those offered online.  For a complete list of classes that fulfill these requirements, visit the BSC Catalog.)

• Communication - 6 semester hours from the following (ENGL 110 is required):

• Arts and Humanities/Social and Behavioral Sciences  - 3 semester hours:

• Math, Science, and Technology - 6 semester hours.

Program Requirements

• HMSV 130: Introduction to Human Services (3 semester hours)
• HMSV 201: Introduction to Addictions
• SWK 200: Introduction to Helping Skills
• SOC 221: Minorities (3 semester hours) OR SOC 235:Cultural Diversity (3 semester hours) OR SOC275: Native American Studies (3 semester hours)
• COOP 197: Human Services Internship (3 semester hours)
• PSYC 111: Introduction to Psychology (3 semester hours)
• SOC 110: Introduction to Sociology (3 semester hours)OR SOC 115: Social Problems (3 semester hours)

Electives

• Students choose from any 12 semester hours of electives

• Social Services Option (other options, ie..Aging Services, Eligibilty Worker, Early Childhood Education/Daycare Provider, may soon be available)

• SOC 251: Gerontology (3 semester hours)
• SOC 221: Family (3 semester hours)
• SOC 292: Assessment and Intervention (3 semester hours)
• CJ 254: Juvenile Justice System (3 semester hours)

• Earn at least 24 semester hours of institutional credit from Bismarck State College
• Achieve a minimum of 2.00 grade point average (C average) in at least 60 semester hours, including a 2.00 grade point average (C average) in all credits from Bismarck State College.
• Clear all college obligations.
• File an Application for Graduation in the Registrar's Office at the beginning of the semester/term in which the student expects to complete requirements for graduation.

ELIGIBILITY WORKER CERTIFICATE
Job readiness   Online Option
CONTACT PERSON: Lisa Hoynes • Schafer Hall 319D • 224-5611 • Lisa.Hoynes@bsc.nodak.edu

Eligibility workers are an indispensable part of the human services support system. As the first contact for people seeking public assistance, they make important decisions about food, health care, education, job training, and other social services that people need.

Eligibility workers must be adept at interviewing and gathering necessary information to determine qualifying services. Because they serve as advisors to clients, good communication skills are needed to explain eligibility requirements and program details. Within their job, an eligibility worker must be organized and accurate, exhibit care and concern, and show respect for an applicant's need for privacy and confidentiality.

BSC's Eligibility Worker program emphasizes core courses that provide the knowledge and skills most applicable to students preparing for this entry-level position. The program offers on-campus or online study. Students seeking a Program Certificate are required to complete 30 credit hours and to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.