Human Services (HMSV)
This course provides an introduction to the helping process in the context of a human service agency. There are two essential components to this course. The first examines the economic, social and political forces which have shaped the development of human service organizations and their status today. It reviews the issues and obstacles involved in providing quality service to various populations in our society. The second major emphasis offers students the opportunity to review the basic elements of the helping process. Students examine the development of a professional working relationship with clients. They also learn what the process of helping includes. Attention is paid to the influence of personal experiences and values on prospective workers in the helping professions.
This course examines the theories, roles, and functions of case management. Students study and practice examples of case management to include the professional skills necessary to be a successful case manager. The course explores case management issues with special populations and includes a discussion of the importance of ethics and the essential elements of case-note documentation along with challenges and legal issues that case managers are faced with in organizations. Prerequisite(s): HMSV 500 AND PSY501 or SOC501.
View Course Outcomes:
- Differentiate between case management protocols in at least two service provider organizations.
- Articulate clear documentation of an agency case observation according to agency guidelines.
- Articulate the theories, roles, and functions of case management.
- Identify and articulate the unique case management issues that come into play while working with special populations.
- Recognize and strategize the signs of burn-out and the importance of self-care within the case management profession.
- Discuss the legal issues, liabilities, and challenges within the case management profession.
This field-based practicum is an entry-level field experience designed to assist Human Services majors in exploring career and vocational settings in which they can use and apply their knowledge and skills. The practicum is exploratory in nature, involves extensive student initiative in designing and implementing the practicum, and is conducted under the supervision of the practicum mentor. A supplementary objective of the practicum is to explore and assess possibilities for settings and situations in which the student may engage in an upper level Human Services Internship. NOTE: Registration for this course, a field-based experience, is by permission of the Office of Academic Affairs. Early registration deadlines may apply.
View Course Outcomes:
- Identify and explain the connections between on-going academic training and the site-specific work environment.
- State how the site-specific human services organization is structured, funded, and managed.
- Articulate knowledge of career expectations, realities, and opportunities within the site-specific human services organization including range of salary, benefits, and other compensation.
- Demonstrate effective use of workplace engagement strategies including, but not limited to, taking initiative to network, conducting interviews and being interviewed, and/or promoting one’s capabilities and assets in the field setting.
- Describe and assess personal career aspirations in the Human Services field including locating and critiquing a potential internship site.
- Display professionalism and standards of ethics, including, but not limited to, adherence to any and all work site policies and use of responsible quotation and citation practices based on impeccable documentation in all communications.
This project-based practicum is an entry-level experience designed to assist Human Services majors in exploring career and vocational settings in which they can use and apply their knowledge and skills. The practicum is exploratory in nature, involves extensive student initiative in designing and implementing the practicum, and is conducted under the supervision of the practicum mentor. A supplementary objective of the practicum is to explore and assess possibilities for settings and situations in which the student may engage in an upper level Human Services Internship. NOTE: Students must follow Granite State College policy that all research activities which involve human participants, regardless of the level of risk foreseen, require review and written approval by the College's Institutional Review Board prior to the initiation of the activity.
View Course Outcomes:
- Identify and explain the connections between on-going academic training and several possible work environments.
- Compare and contrast how human services organizations are structured, funded, and managed.
- Differentiate knowledge of career expectations, realities, and opportunities within human services organizations including range of salary, benefits, and other compensation.
- Demonstrate effective use of workplace engagement strategies including taking initiative to network, conducting interviews and being interviewed, and/or promoting one’s capabilities and assets in the field setting.
- Describe and assess personal career aspirations in the Human Services field including locating and critiquing a potential internship site.
- Display professionalism and standards of ethics including use of responsible quotation and citation practices based on impeccable documentation in all communications.
This project-based integrative capstone course in Human Services focuses on the concepts and techniques of successful Human Services practitioners. Students integrate the knowledge and skills gained from other courses in the Human Services program and demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to new subject matter and practical situations. Students develop and implement a project within their chosen concentration (professional interest) that includes an applied research project, a written rationale, and synthesis of theory and practice. NOTE: Students must follow Granite State College policy that all research activities which involve human participants, regardless of the level of risk foreseen, require review and written approval by the College's Institutional Review Board prior to the initiation of the activity.
View Course Outcomes:
- Identify and use research and resources in Human Services to develop a project that integrates prior learning and experience with personal and professional goals.
- Analyze the project by articulating connections between current theory and practice in Human Services.
- Synthesize findings in reflective written reports and oral presentations.
- Demonstrate critical analysis of sources.
- Employ responsible quotation and citation practices based on impeccable documentation in both written and oral communications.
- Integrate and apply the fundamental rights, ethical principles, and overarching policies that guide Human Services practitioners.
This capstone course is a field-based internship designed to develop and hone the practical application skills of a Human Services major. The course requires students to integrate the knowledge and skills gained from other courses in the program and to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge to practical situations. Students apply for an internship at a self-selected site and negotiate the terms of the internship experience with a site supervisor under the general auspices of their Granite State College mentor. The internship requires documented evidence of 80 hours of supervised experience and practice in a field setting where behavioral science-related knowledge and skills are applied. NOTE: Registration for this course, a field-based experience, is by permission of the Office of Academic Affairs. Early registration deadlines will apply.
View Course Outcomes:
- Acquire and complete an in-depth supervised experience in a field setting that is related to the Human Service major and one's career path.
- Participate in activities that bolster individual professional development.
- Determine and use Human Services knowledge, skills, and methods to a specific field setting, client population, or service clientele.
- Articulate and apply professional behavior, fundamental rights, ethical principles (including responsible quotation and citation practices based on impeccable documentation in all communications) , and overarching policies that guide Human Services practitioners while working in a field setting.
- Write and orally present a summative paper detailing the internship (including the site's mission/vision, services, clientele, etc.) as well as the student's integrative conclusions and reflections on the knowledge achieved through the completion of the Human Services program and this field-based experience.
This course examines the key concepts of human services management and provides a broad overview of the history, purpose, theory, and current trends in the human services field. Students study various issues that impact the management of human services and gain an understanding of the role of the human services manager. An emphasis is placed on examining social systems, ethics, and skills related to human service delivery to individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities, and society in diverse practice settings.
View Course Outcomes:
- Examine the historical perspectives and emerging trends in human services delivery.
- Explore the administrative aspects of the human services professional.
- Evaluate the internal and external systems and subsystems of human services delivery.
- Compare and contrast legal issues and professional ethics as they relate to human services.
This course explores the knowledge, theory, and skills in the administrative aspects of the human service delivery system. Issues of supervision, management, and development of paid and volunteer staff will be addressed. The concepts of coalition building, legislative advocacy and community organizing, and funding will also be introduced. The differences and similarities between the administration of public organizations and non-profit organizations will also be reviewed.
View Course Outcomes:
- Examine critical issues facing human service organizations
- Support the development and planning of evidence-based programs that address the human needs of the people served
- Examine the overall human services organization in terms of organizational theory, the organization as a system, and structural options.
- Evaluate trends, challenges, and opportunities between public and nonprofit human services organizations.
This course explores the concepts related to ethical competence in decision-making, policymaking, and ensuring the rights and wellbeing of clients and staff. It further examines current laws and regulations that dictate codes of ethics and levels of professionalism. Ethical dilemmas faced by leaders and their impact on the organization and the broader community are investigated through case studies and critical thinking through dialogue.
View Course Outcomes:
- Correlate how the design of an organization may support or inhibit practitioners from making ethical decisions.
- Develop a greater capacity for seeing issues from different perspectives and identifying sources of bias when making ethical judgments.
- Examine the major issues (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act, Immigration Law) surrounding human service employees and clients.
- Compare and contrast the concepts of ethical competency and professionalism.
- Analyze the decision-making and policymaking processes within one’s organization through an ethical framework.
This integrative course is the culminating experience for the Master of Science in Human Services Administration degree. All other required coursework must have been completed prior to receiving approval to register for this course. This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned through the degree program allowing the student to demonstrate competency in translating theory into practice. The course combines traditional coursework with a field-based experience, providing direct exposure to the field of human services administration. Final products include a comprehensive project to demonstrate mastery of professional practice. After documenting the above, students will discuss and defend their project orally.
View Course Outcomes:
- Integrate written and verbal communication skills to build interpersonal relationships with all stakeholders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and dynamics of organizations and communities in diverse environments.
- Evaluate appropriate and credible evidence to guide and inform decisions.
- Integrate knowledge, theory, and skills in administrative aspects of human services
- Analyze legal, ethical, and organizational influences relevant to human service delivery.
- Model appropriate professional behavior congruent with the human services profession.
- Conduct a project that identifies, designs, implements, and evaluates a human services problem or opportunity.