Every day at lunchtime, a group of people head to the soup kitchen at the local shelter, but they’re not hungry. They’re volunteers, including some first-time helpers. It’s your responsibility to get everyone coordinated and working together so a vital service can be delivered.
Meanwhile, your co-workers are counseling those who have come to eat. Homeless people. Families in crisis. Resources are available to assist them, but someone needs to evaluate their situations and get them headed in the right direction.
The human services field is extremely broad, but it all comes down to getting help to those who need it most – and doing so with compassion. The School of Allied Health at Anderson University can empower you to make a difference in a variety of “helping” professions.
Bachelor of Science Programs
The School of Allied Health is part of AU’s College of Health Professions. Students in the school pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in human services. You can also study for a Bachelor of Science in human services with a concentration in behavioral health.
The online-based coursework is structured to fit the needs of adult learners. At AU, there’s an appreciation for those of you who balance your current careers with the desire to do something more for you and your family.
As a human services professional, you’ll become skilled at developing plans and introducing resources that help put lives on solid ground, regardless of the challenges – addiction, homelessness, unemployment, aging, incarceration, disability or family strife. Individuals, families and communities will all be stronger thanks to your work.
Job Prospects
You may already be working in human services with a government agency, hospital system or nonprofit organization. You might be behind a desk, out in the community, or the caring voice at the other end of a telephone line. Perhaps you’re looking to transition from another “helping” profession within health care. No matter what, you’re needed.
Over the next decade, demand for human services workers is expected to outpace other fields. While a high school diploma or associate’s degree might have been enough to get you started, more positions, particularly leadership roles, require at least a bachelor’s degree. As you add to your credentials and training, you’ll be better equipped to pursue the growing career opportunities in this field.
If you are in law enforcement or corrections, human services training can provide social context to help you do your job better. A bachelor’s in human services can also be a springboard toward a master’s degree in social work.
A Ministry of Service
Jobs in human services can be rewarding, but they’re not for everybody. You’ll see people in dire circumstances. It requires caring and inspiration, which you’ll receive in abundance from the skilled faculty and staff at Anderson University.
You’ll find that AU is unique in its ability to offer cutting-edge training delivered in a Christ-centered environment. Just as Jesus ministered to the poor and hurting, Anderson University can teach you to do the same.