PSU’s Human Services major is for students to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Through this program, you'll gain the knowledge and technical skills to deliver care across a range of settings, including schools, hospitals, behavioral health agencies, health clinics, disability services, addictions and residential treatment facilities, and nursing homes.
When you graduate, you’ll be job-ready, skilled, and knowledgeable. We have worked extensively with Oregon’s top Human Services employers to design a curriculum that targets the exact areas of competence they are seeking. This is a great program for:
- working professionals in a social service field ready to earn your degree and move up in the field;
- transfer students from a community college with a two-year human service associate degree;
- current PSU students seeking a path to a direct practice job that does not require an intensive unpaid practicum placement; or
- students seeking a path to graduate school in social work, human services, or a related field.
Concentrations
The program offers you the choice of four workforce-based concentrations listed below. These concentrations will prepare you to pursue careers in human services, counseling, social work, behavioral health, and healthcare. The program acts as a pathway to post-secondary education: a graduate degree in social work, additional credentials or certifications, or other graduate studies
- Addictions: This field helps individuals overcome substance use and addiction challenges. Addictions professionals work in rehabilitation settings, deliver inpatient and outpatient services, and offer counseling, support, and treatment planning.
- Behavioral Health: This field helps individuals, couples, and families to improve their behavioral health. Behavioral health professionals work in hospitals, mental health clinics, and community based settings that offer counseling and other psychosocial services.
- Children and Youth: This field is focused on the well-being of children and adolescents. Professionals in this field can work in schools, child welfare agencies, and for community based organizations that provide support and intervention services.
- Gerontology: This field cares for and supports aging adults. Gerontologists work in nursing homes, senior centers, healthcare and hospice facilities, and community based organizations that support positive quality of life for older adults.
You’ll also have the flexibility to pursue your degree fully online while building meaningful and strong connections with faculty and other students in the program. You’ll gain practical, hands-on experience, study a cutting-edge curriculum, and learn from nationally-recognized faculty.
Human Services is unique because the major includes courses from many other programs at PSU--including psychology and sociology--and combines these courses with generalist human services field practice techniques. The program prepares students for immediate entry into the direct practice workforce. The program does not require a practicum placement. Instead, students will have simulated practice experiences in their online courses. Additionally, students may apply to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) for prior education and workforce experience if they can demonstrate core competencies in these areas.
Request for Information
Seeing the human first is the foundation of all successful human service practice.
PSU’s Human Service major is unique because it emphasizes cultural humility and responsiveness. Students will learn to see people and communities in all their complexity and to work with them in collaborative, respectful, and person-centered ways.
In addition to learning the core skills of human services professionals, you will take innovative electives in the School of Gender, Race, and Nations, Child Youth and Family Studies, sociology, psychology, social work, and other departments. These classes will deepen your understanding of history, social issues, communication styles, and psychosocial challenges within and among diverse communities and families.
Whether you’re a returning student with years of experience, an activist fighting for justice and equity, or a curious high school or transfer student pursuing impact-driven work, our hands-on program will prepare you for a meaningful career in the field.
This dynamic program was designed for people who are already working in human services jobs. It will prepare you to obtain direct practice positions in the human services field without requiring a costly, lengthy practicum experience. Instead, students who can demonstrate competence in core areas of human service practice may receive credit for prior learning (CPL), freeing up time and money. Students who do not qualify for CPL will learn skills through extensive virtual simulation experiences designed by experts in the field.
With so many opportunities available to you, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference and build resume-boosting skills as you prepare to work in the field or continue your studies in graduate school.
We also offer you:
- Fully online courses for the major: You’ll enjoy a flexible pace and asynchronous class schedule that will allow you to complete this course no matter where you live. You will also build community through optional face-to-face Zoom office hours with your professors and colleagues. Students who can demonstrate competency can receive credit for prior learning or learn skills through extensive virtual simulation experiences designed by experts in the field-- freeing up time and money.
- A practical and applied curriculum: You will complete this program ready to get a job and fill high need positions in addictions, behavioral health, youth and child work, and gerontology. The curriculum is informed by the latest research across a number of fields and will provide you with the practical tools to immediately begin serving your community. You’ll also gain experience through simulations and hands-on real world opportunities.
- Training in key professional competencies like leadership, decision making, problem solving, building effective teams, management, creative thinking, and personal effectiveness.
65,000 human services jobs are posted every year in the state of Oregon. But only 200 graduates a year are qualified for them. Portland State University’s new Human Services program is a direct response to this workforce need. Graduates can advance their career and make a difference by improving the quality of life in their communities
With a BA/BS degree in Human Services you can find career opportunities in state and county departments, educational settings, community mental health, and rehabilitation agencies working as a:
- Human Service Specialist
- Benefit and Eligibility Worker
- Customer Service Guide
- Social Services Case Manager
- Health and Human Services Management Analyst
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education & Training (E&T) Navigator
- Program Manager
- Outreach Coordinator
- Adult Residential Services
- Disability advocate
- Child welfare specialist
- Behavioral health specialist
- Addictions counselor
Graduates of the program are prepared to move forward with QMHA, CADC, HS-BCP, and other industry credentials. Additionally, alumni may enroll in graduate programs in education, social work, youth studies, counseling, public policy, and more. Graduates may apply to PSU’s Master of Social Work, Early Childhood, Education, and Counselor Education graduate programs.