Bachelor of Arts in Human Services

Committed to making a difference in the lives of others? Our degree in human services will equip you to serve individuals and families within the community, whether you're working directly with clients or with the organizations designed to provide social services. You'll leave Whitworth prepared to serve in a variety of social service occupations, including client services; social action; community development and advocacy; and leadership across human services agencies. The human services major is also a good option if your goal is to complete a master's degree in a social-service-related field or in a counseling and therapy program.

With three areas of concentration to choose from, you can tailor your degree to fit your interests and professional goals.

*Tuition rate for the 2024-25 academic year

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What will I study?

Human services majors will learn:

• The structure and function of social service agencies in society
• How politics inform social policy
• An appreciation for human diversity
• How to help different populations without harm
• Social and political activism
• Personal and professional ethics in the helping professions

Degree Requirements & Concentrations

Human Services Major – 36 credits

Complete the human services core requirements and choose a nine-credit area of concentration to tailor your degree to fit your goals.

For course descriptions and learning outcomes of this major, please view the course catalog.

Human Services Core (27 credits)

Choose an Area of Concentration (9 credits):

Child & Family Services

The coursework in this concentration was designed to develop your knowledge of the relationship between social services and the children and families they serve. 

• PY 211 - Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• SO 336 - Case Management (3 credits) 
• SO 370 - Delinquency & Juvenile Justice (3 credits)

Counseling

The concentration in counseling contains courses that strengthen your knowledge of psychology in preparation for a career in the counseling or therapy fields. This coursework includes prerequisite courses required to continue on to a graduate degree in counseling or therapy. 

• PY 227 - Personality & Individual Differences (3 credits)
• PY 358 - Psychopathology (3 credits)
• PY 377 - The Nature of Trauma (3 credits) 

Leadership

The leadership concentration includes coursework designed to strengthen the strategic, fiscal and interpersonal skills you need for a successful leadership role in the nonprofit sector. 

• PO 360 – Leading Sustainable Organizations (3 credits)
• LS 305 – Introduction to Public Service Leadership (3 credits)
• LS 470W – Strategic Leadership in Public Service Organizations (3 credits)

Graduation Requirements & Electives

All adult education programs from Whitworth must include shared curriculum and elective coursework to complete degree requirements. Some of the requirements may be met by courses offered in the major. Check with an advisor for details.

Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate – 126

Total credits needed at Whitworth will vary depending on credits transferred from other institutions and/or earned via credit for prior learning.

Course Sequence (Fall 2024 Cohort)

All cohort courses take place in Hawthorne Hall on our main campus or virtually on Microsoft Teams; evening classes are from 6-10 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Fall 2024 (Aug. 19-Dec. 20)

Spring 2025 (Jan. 6-May 9)

Summer 2025 (May 19-Aug. 8)

Fall 2025 (Aug. 18-Dec. 19)

Spring 2026 (Jan. 5-May 8)

Transfer Information

Already have an associate of arts (A.A.) or applied associate degree (A.A.S. or other)?

With an A.A. or applied associate degree from a community college, you may transfer to Whitworth's human services program as a junior, receiving 60-64 semester credits toward your bachelor's degree. You can complete your degree in as little as two to three years. Check out our generous transfer policy here.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you've obtained knowledge through experience outside of the traditional classroom, you may earn up to 32 semester credits of electives through subject tests, certifications, licenses, self-directed study, work-related trainings and more. For more details about credit for prior learning, click here.

What type of job can I get?

A degree in human services will prepare you to work in a variety of occupations. You may also choose to further your education with a master's degree in areas such as counseling and therapy or social work. Employment opportunities include the following areas:

Our grads get great jobs at places like...