Human Services Worker Courses

Course Code Title & Description Credits Schedule
HSW 100

Introduction to Human Services

This course is an introduction to basic human services. It includes discussions of major target populations, the major helping professions, the social context and the history of helping, roles performed by professional helpers, intervention skills, values and ethical and legal considerations. Students are challenged through group discussions to det...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 174

HSW Co-op Education I

In this course, students gain skills from a new experience in an approved, compensated, human service-related position. Together with the instructor, the employer, and the co-op placement office, students determine work assignments and learning objectives to connect classroom learning with career-related work experience. Level I Prerequisite: Acade...

(1-3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 200

Interviewing and Assessment

In this course, students are introduced to basic interviewing skills used in helping professions, as well as the process of individual needs assessment. Students will learn both attending and influencing skills. In addition, they will learn how to write goals, objectives and program notes in the context of a client intervention strategy. Level I Pr...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 220

Group Dynamics and Counseling

In this course, students are introduced to using small groups to promote change. Group dynamics and developmental theory are studied in depth. Concepts such as norms, conformity, cohesion and patterns of interaction are covered. Problems such as scapegoating and triangulation are analyzed. The following competencies are taught: screening candidates...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 225

Family Social Work

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of home-based social work with families. Students will learn how to describe American families as social systems, how to describe the structure of a family, and how to identify common patterns in family functioning. Common problems and special circumstances in family functioning will be add...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 229

Human Services Success Skills

In this course, students will review and evaluate necessary skills that will be utilized in human services employment settings. Topics covered will include ethics, professional research, professional behavior, preparing for the workplace, and several other areas of professional concern. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6...

(1 Credit) View Schedule
HSW 230

Field Internship and Seminar I

In this course, students will be integrated into the working world by completing field work in human service agencies. The students have an opportunity for a variety of experiences based on their placement. The field work will be integrated with course work during a one hour seminar. Learning objectives will be individualized according to the field...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 235

Experience Seminar

In this course, students will explore workplace dynamics through various theoretical lenses. They will apply core theoretical frameworks, such as system theory, behavioral/social learning theory, psychodynamic theory and developmental theory. Students will be required to write a 3-5 page APA style research paper demonstrating their understanding of...

(1 Credit) View Schedule
HSW 296

Neuropsychology of Addiction

In this course, students will study the basic principles of pharmacology, including both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the application of these principles to addictive drugs. In particular, students will focus on the functioning of the nervous system with an emphasis on neurotransmission, the evolution of our understanding of the biolo...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 297

Assessment of Co-occurring Disorders

In this course, students will receive an overview of tools used to assess the co-occurrence of a mental illness and a substance use disorder. Students are introduced to basic mental illness concepts presented in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and explore the influence and interaction of a substance use disorder related to a men...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
HSW 298

Treatment of Addiction

In this capstone course, students will integrate theory into the simulated practice of treating addictions. Students will apply the theoretical foundations to treating addiction and learn about possible barriers associated with treatment. By the end of this course, students will have a basic understanding of treatment options and begin to demonstra...

(3 Credits) View Schedule
Revised on February 5, 2026

Take the
Next Step