Program Overview
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The Bachelor of Science in Human Services (BSHS) degree is designed for adults who work in select positions in human services areas preparing them for professional advancement or graduate studies. Students develop a professional track that matches their career experiences. To be admitted to the program and to complete the Capstone course, students must have current work or volunteer experience in their professional track.
Earning Credit in the Professional Track:
The Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree requires applicants to submit a completed Professional Track Form and choose the appropriate track that meets their career experiences. Students must take 18 credits at the 300 and 400 level and select from one of the following tracks: Administration of Justice, Child Development Services, Community Services, Emergency Disaster Services, Gerontology, Health Services, Legal Services, Fitness and Wellness, and Social Services.
The Baccalaureate Capstone course is an in-depth, student-centered experience that requires the integration of theory and practical experience. Students will demonstrate an understanding of their knowledge by applying it to a specific project. Students must have significant current experience (within the last five years)* in the field of their area of study in order to complete the degree program. This experience must be documented and approved as soon as possible after enrolling. While this experience is usually full-time paid employment, the requirement may also be satisfied through documentation of part-time or volunteer experience according to the following standards:
- One-year relevant, full-time documented employment
- Part-time relevant documented employment that consists of at least 1,500 hours total experience
- Relevant documented volunteer service, at the appropriate level, that consists of a minimum of 1,500 hours total experience
- Any combination of the above that satisfies the minimum hours of experience
*Currency requirements may be waived at the discretion of the dean.
To enroll in the Baccalaureate Level Capstone course, students must have completed:
- 6 credits of English composition
- 12 credits in social science
- 18 credits in professional track
- 9 credits in Theoretical Foundation: Theoretical Foundation courses include those pertaining to theory, knowledge, and skills of the human services profession.
- 6 credits in Intervention: Intervention courses include those which emphasize theory and knowledge bases for interventions and criteria for selection of appropriate interventions.
- 6 credits in Client Populations: Client Population courses include those that emphasize the range of populations served and needs addressed by human services professionals.
- 3 credits in research
- 6 credits in management
- 18 credits in professional track at the 300-400 level in one area of study such as administration of justice, child development services, community services, emergency disaster services, gerontology, health services, legal services, fitness and wellness, or social services
NOTE:
- How Students Earn Credits in the Area of Study: Some courses in the area of study may be completed with Thomas Edison State University and/or courses from other colleges, prior learning assessment (PLA) and/or examinations may also be used.
- A total of 18 area of study credits must be from courses at the 300 level or above.
Credit Distribution
I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)
A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)
B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)
| SOC-322 | Cultural Diversity in the United States | 3 |
| ETH-230 | Ethics in the Digital Age | 3 |
| POS-110 | American Government | 3 |
C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)
| SOC-101 | Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSY-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| HIS-113 | American History I | 3 |
Select two featured courses from the list below:
| SOC-291 | Criminology | 3 |
| HIS-114 | American History II | 3 |
| HIS-121 | Introduction to World History I | 3 |
| HUM-103 | Introduction to the Humanities III: Music | 3 |
| PHI-130 | Introduction to Critical Reasoning | 3 |
D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)
For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to
Scientific Knowledge.
II. Area of Study in Human Services (54 Credits)
A. Core Requirements (30 Credits)
Theoretical Foundation (9)
Intervention (i.e., PSY-331 Intro to Counseling) (6)
Client Populations (i.e., PSY-350 Abnormal Psychology) (6)
Management (i.e., MAN-210) (6)
Research Methods (i.e. SOS-492) (3)
Other courses may satisfy the Core. Please contact an Academic Advisor for additional options.
B. Professional Track (18 Credits)
(18 credits at the 300-400 level in one area of study such as gerontology, administration, mental health, administration of justice, emergency disaster services)
C. Capstone (6 Credits)
III. Electives (21 Credits)
For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.
| TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences. |
Total Credit Hours: 120