Human Services Major, B.S.

Core Classes for Major:

Counseling and Mental Health Services Concentration:

The Counseling and Mental Health Services Concentration teaches students counseling theory and develops counselor-client interaction skills in assisting clients to cope with life’s personal and emotional challenges. This concentration prepares students for entry-level employment in community mental health, non-profit counseling agencies, employee assistance programs, and general social service delivery systems under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals. This concentration additionally prepares students to pursue graduate education in a variety of areas including: human services, counseling psychology, social work direct services, addiction counseling, marriage and family, and pastoral counselor programs. Students should note that professional counseling licensure requires the completion of a graduate degree, successfully passing a comprehensive examination, and a period of supervised practice, by a licensed mental health professional.

Addiction Studies Concentration:

This concentration will provide students with a breadth of knowledge and skills that are in high demand in all human/behavioral/mental health services. Students learn about drug/alcohol as well as other addictive behaviors such as smoking, gambling and eating disorders. The counseling skills knowledge and training students receive are on the cutting edge of evidence-based outcome studies. Graduates attain skills and attitudes necessary to function as professional addiction counselors. Upon completion of the program students are eligible to apply for certification in Colorado as an addiction counselor.

Domestic Violence Counseling Concentration:

A concentration in domestic violence counseling provides the student with a broad knowledge base through the core classes in human services and with knowledge and skills essential for working with perpetrators and victims of abuse. The courses included in this concentration are based on the standards established by the State Commission on Educational Standards in Domestic Violence Counseling. Once the student has completed the required courses, application may be made for state certification as a provider of domestic violence counseling. Included in the concentration are many of the courses required for certification as a substance abuse counselor. These classes have been designated because of the close relationship between domestic violence and substance abuse.

High Risk Youth Studies Concentration:

This concentration prepares the human services professional to work in a variety of high risk youth program locations including outpatient counseling, community-based living or institutional settings. This concentration includes the State-required certification program to be an “Alcohol and Drug Prevention Generalist.” Students are also encouraged to pursue alcohol and drug certification as part of their degree programs due to the strong overlap between high-risk youth behaviors and substance abuse. Many of the required courses to do so are included in the concentration.

Nonprofit Organization Administration Concentration:

This concentration provides both degree-seeking and career advancement professionals with the academic background and management skills to become effective managers in a variety of nonprofit settings.

Paramedic Concentration:

The paramedic concentration is designed for students interested in combining their academic experience with paramedic training. Students completing the paramedic concentration may work in a broad array of human service occupations or as paramedics. Students selecting this concentration must have completed or be enrolled in the Paramedic School at the Denver Health Medical Center and obtain a valid and current paramedic certificate from the State of Colorado. Training at the Paramedic School transfers into the department as follows: 8 credits for HSP 2050 and 16 for concentration electives.