Human Services Department Home Page

Human Services (HMS)
Human services is an applied social and behavioral sciences program that promotes leadership and service to others. This interdisciplinary program fosters an understanding of the causes and consequences of individual and social problems, and prepares students for careers in the helping professions.

Students must earn at least a C- in all human services major prerequisites.

Specialization: Chemical Dependency
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies (ADAS)
The South Dakota Certification Board for Alcohol and Drug Professionals has accepted the following courses as meeting board certification requirements for specialized education:

A list of additional nonacademic requirements and applications for certification are available from the South Dakota Board for Alcohol & Drug Professionals.

Course Descriptions
152 Introduction to Sociology 3 hours F,S
(Refer to SOC 152)

210 Interpersonal Communication 3 hours F
(Refer to CTH 210)

220 Concepts and Practices of Management 3 hours F,S
(Refer to BUS 220)

225 Introduction to Human Services 3 hours F
This course explores human service delivery systems, including public welfare, public mental health programs and private practices. Students will identify needs, problems, eligible consumers, and the process of service and delivery. The class examines rural service delivery systems and agency settings to familiarize students with the application process.
Prerequisites: SOC 152 and sophomore status.

237 Developmental Psychology 3 hours F,S
(Refer to PSY 237)

245 Drug Use and Abuse (ADAS) 3 hours F
This course is an introduction to the physical, psychological and social effects of drug use and abuse in American society. This course is designed to assist students in making value choices relative to their own use of legal and illegal drugs.

270 Human Services Practice 3 hours S
This course teaches an integrated approach to basic helping, interviewing and counseling skills in human service settings. Students will learn communication skills, listening skills, the helping relationship, ethics and current professional issues.
Prerequisites: CTH 210 and sophomore status.

299 Selected Topics - Basic 1-3 hours TBA

300 Alcohol Use and Abuse (ADAS) 3 hours S
This course is a study of the psycho/social aspects of addiction. Study will include symptoms, causes and available treatment approaches. This course serves as an introduction to alcohol and related drug abuse. Students will explore historical, theoretical and current perspectives of alcoholism.

312 Methods of Social Research 3 hours F
(Refer to SOC 312)

317 Minority Groups 3 hours S07
(Refer to SOC 317)

320 Victimology 3 hours S07
Victimology is the scientific study of crime victims, focusing on the physical, emotional and financial impact on victims, communities and the larger society.

330 Child Welfare 3 hours F06
This course explains the social services provided for children. The physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs of children are considered in the context of the institutions established by society on behalf of children.

337 Adolescent Psychology 3 hours F,S
(Refer to PSY 337)

340 Policies and Legalities of Public Welfare 3 hours F05
This course is designed to familiarize students with the operation of the legislative process (federal, state and tribal) and the legal system (state and federal) as it relates to the role of the human service worker.

350 Adjustment to Aging 3 hours TBA
(Refer to SOC 350)

359 Community 3 hours S08
(Refer to SOC 359)

370/770 Theory and Practice of Counseling (ADAS) 3 hours F
This course examines counseling theories, techniques, differences and similarities in counseling and interviewing. Students will discuss the ethical responsibilities of a counselor.
Prerequisite: PSY 237.
Corequisite: CTH 210.

400/700 Group Counseling (ADAS) 3 hours S07
Students will learn counseling theories and techniques related to operational practices in group counseling, including group structure, processes and dynamics.

430 Ethics in Human Service Practice (ADAS) 3 hours S08
This course examines professional and ethical issues that most affect the practice of human services, counseling, chemical dependency treatment and related helping professions.

443 Abnormal Psychology 3 hours S
(Refer to PSY 443)

460 Independent Study 1-3 hours F,S
Students may arrange research on an individual basis with the instructor. Students must have junior or senior status. The instructor and department chair must approve topics.

451/751 Family Counseling (ADAS) 3 hours S08
Students will study the theories and techniques of working with families in human service settings. The class explores the dynamics of healthy and dysfunctional families.

470 Professional Semester 1-16 hours F,S,SU
Placement of up to 40 hours per week during the professional semester will provide experience in a human service agency under professional administration and educational supervision designed to prepare the student for professional practice. This course is for human services majors only. This course is offered Credit/No Credit only.
Prerequisites: HMS 370 and consent of department chair.

499 Selected Topics - Advanced 1-3 hours TBA