Human Services, B.S.

Bachelor of Science Degree

WellStar College of Health and Human Services, Department of Social Work and Human Services
(470) 578-6630

The vision for the Department of Social Work and Human Services is to prepare engaged, innovative professionals and global citizens who are educated to enrich the lives of individuals and families and to enhance the quality of communities. The Department’s mission is to educate culturally competent professionals to develop and deliver high quality human services locally, regionally and globally, to improve the quality of life of those they serve. The Department’s mission evolves from its core values that are derived from the values of the University, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS), and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA). These values include academic excellence, quality teaching, student-centered, service, human relationships, social justice, the dignity and worth of the individual, client and community well-being, client participation, self-determination and confidentiality, promotion of ethical standards, integrity, competency, continuous examination and critique of the profession, and professional growth.

The Human Services (HS) program specifically prepares students to pursue careers in the field of human services in a variety of public, nonprofit, and private human service organizations. Students may choose a concentration either in (a) Social Engagement and Advocacy (formerly case management) or (b) Nonprofit Management and Social Innovation (formerly Nonprofit Management). All Human Services majors graduate with competencies in communication, assessment, advocacy, documentation, community networking, cultural competence, social policy, civic engagement, and professional/career development. These competencies are established by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).

Human Services majors must complete two internships in the program. The foundation internship requires students to demonstrate knowledge, attitudes, and skills acquired in lower-level major courses by completing assignments and experiences in both micro and macro level practice. Students then complete an advanced internship with a focus on the competencies of their chosen concentration.

The students in the Social Engagement and Advocacy concentration focus on the ability to integrate knowledge and skills related to direct practice with individuals, families, children, and groups. In addition, they are prepared to work in crisis intervention settings. Students who select the Nonprofit Management and Social Innovation concentration develop management, leadership, and administrative competencies to work in nonprofit organizations. All human services majors graduate with competencies in communication, assessment, advocacy, documentation, community networking, cultural competence, social policy, civic engagement, and professional/career development. These competencies are established by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE). Graduates from the HS program may qualify to take the Human Service Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) exam for becoming a Human Service Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP).  For additional information regarding the HS-BCP, please contact the Human Services Program Coordinator.

The Human Services program also supports two certificates: the Nonprofit Management and Social Innovation Certificate in partnership with The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) and the Child Advocacy Studies Training (CAST).

The Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Social Innovation program prepares students for employment, volunteer and leadership experiences in the nonprofit sector.  The program requires students to demonstrate ten core management and leadership competency areas. Students also attend a national conference.  Students interested in this certificate may enroll by contacting the NLA Campus Executive Director and completing the online application available at www.kennesaw.edu/chhs/swhs. Completion of the certificate’s requirements result in students receiving national certification and credentialing i.e., Certified Nonprofit Practitioner (CNP) by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Students interested in the HS major may also choose to participate in the Child Advocacy Studies Training (CAST) Certificate program. Interested students must contact the CAST Coordinator in the Department of Social Work and Human Services. This program focuses on developing students’ understanding of the various factors that lead to child maltreatment, and of various existing responses to incidents of child maltreatment to enable them to work more effectively within various systems and institutions that respond to these incidents. Students completing the courses in this certificate will be competent to work within children-focused agencies and systems (health care, criminal justice, social services) while advocating for children who have survived neglect and abuse.

Human Services Program Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted into the undergraduate Human Services Degree Program, a student must have:

• A minimum institutional GPA of 2.80
• Completion of the following classes with a grade of “C” greater:
  • ENGL 1101  or ENGL 1102  
  • STAT 1107   
  • ECON 1000 
  • PSYC 1101  or POLS 2212  
  • SOCI 1101 
  • HS 2100 , HS 2200 , HS 2300 , and HS 2400 

After completing the above criteria for acceptance, a student may apply to the Human Services major by submitting an online application to the HS program found on the SWHS Department homepage. 

Notes:

• Based on the dates published on the Department of SWHS website, applicants will receive an e-mail related to acceptance or denial in their KSU email.
• Upon notification of acceptance to the major (by e-mail), students must complete the application requirements by attending the departmental orientation and scheduling an advisement session.
• Upon denial of acceptance to the major (by e-mail), students are encouraged to meet with the Human Services Program Coordinator, if desired.

Retention and Progression to Graduation Policies

Good Standing in the Human Services Program:

To remain in good academic standing with the program, Human Services majors are required to:

• Maintain minimum institutional GPA of 2.8 or higher
• The Academic Advisor will review the GPAs of majors after grades are submitted each semester.  Failure to maintain the minimum institutional GPA will result in the student receiving an Academic Progression Warning.

Human Service Academic Progression Warning:

When the adjusted GPA of a Human Services student drops below the minimum institutional GPA of 2.8, the following will occur:

The Human Services major will receive an e-mail from the Human Services Program Coordinator to their KSU student e-mail stating his/her program status is moved to the status of “academic progression warning.” 

• ​The Human Services major will have two consecutive semesters from the time of warning to bring his/her adjusted GPA to the required 2.8 or higher.
• Upon notification of the “academic progression warning,” the Human Services major will have a meeting (set up by the Human Services Program Coordinator) to develop a written remediation plan in collaboration with an academic advisor and his/her faculty mentor (a signed copy is provided to the student).

Dismissal from Human Services Major:

A Human Services major, failing to bring his/her GPA to 2.8 after the second consecutive semester on “academic progression warning,” will be dismissed from the Human Services program. 

Reinstatement After Dismissal:

Students dismissed from the major may reapply for the major after two semesters from time of dismissal.  (s)he must reapply to the Human Services program to be considered for reinstatement. Students reapplying for admission must meet the same requirements as required for first-time applicants to the program.