Undergraduate Program Human Services Counseling Major Information

Undergraduate Education Pre-Professional Preparation Degree For Counselors

Counselors are dedicated to helping people lead more fulfilling and healthier lives. Professionally prepared counselors are able to listen therapeutically, help people to problem solve, implement and support mental health programs, develop social skills programs and help those who are impaired or in need of developing new interpersonal skills.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services Counseling is a pre-professional degree that prepares students for work in human services. Drawing from the knowledge base of social sciences, the program helps you develop a variety of therapeutic, teaching, supportive, and preventive methods. The program has an applied emphasis that will enable you to listen therapeutically, problem-solve, help implement and support mental health programs, develop social skills programs, and help those who are impaired, or needing to develop interpersonal skills. This degree prepares individuals to do work in counseling related settings under the supervision of a graduate prepared supervisor.

Program Objectives of the B.S. in Human Services Counseling

Demonstrate knowledge of an array of theoretical and applied counseling theory.
Demonstrate a range of counseling skill sufficient to conduct entry-level human services interventions.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and/or in writing and interact effectively with other helping professionals.
Demonstrate an ability to understand, research and critique professional literature in counseling and to draw on that literature in counseling practice.
Deliver professional services within the guidelines of the ethical and professional practice.
Meet consumer needs of diverse clients with an appreciation of multicultural differences.
Form helping relationships in accordance with the principles of sound counseling practice.
Be prepared to secure a position in the helping profession or gain entrance to graduate school.

The Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in the Human Services Counseling Pre-Professional Degree provides students with general training in human services and counseling related skills. Drawing from the knowledge base of the social sciences, this program helps students develop a variety of therapeutic, teaching, counseling-related, supportive and preventive methods. Students acquire knowledge of the dynamics operating within the individual, the couple, the family, and larger social systems.

The field of counseling is academically highly competitive, complex and sophisticated. For these reasons, this major was designed for junior and senior students with a minimum grade point average of 2.50. National figures indicate that about half of undergraduate students pursue graduate study. In addition, there are three pre-counseling major courses: CED 117, CED 300 and CED 315. These three courses must be completed with a grade of B or better. Students with an overall GPA of 2.50 may be admitted on a probationary status. Students will then have a minimum of two semesters and the summer to raise their GPA to 2.50.

Human Services Counseling Pre-Professional Degree majors can minor in addictions, family studies, gerontology, women's studies and working with children. Students with other majors can minor in Human Services Counseling. Nevada passed legislation making it possible for students with a baccalaureate degree to become state-certified addictions counselors. Our addictions minor will help prepare the student to enter this rapidly growing field. Graduates who become Bachelors prepared Addictions Counselors are specialists in addiction work and refer to themselves as Addictions Counselors not Professional or Clinical Counselors. The term Professional or Clinical Counselor is reserved for Counselors with the appropriate masters degree and licensure/certification at the graduate level.

A broad range of courses is provided through the program ranging from counseling skills to sexuality, drugs and behavior and understanding family dynamics. During the senior year, students will have the opportunity to experience working in the profession through their field placements. The field placement will be integrated with the academic work during the second year and students will have an on-site supervisor and fieldwork course.

Career Opportunities

National studies indicate that the human services field is rapidly expanding at the bachelor's level. Undergraduate students will be able to work in a variety of fields including residential counselors, recreation workers, psychiatric and mental health aids and technicians, and with children with developmental disabilities. Many jobs are in state and local government agencies including clinics, detoxification units, community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, day treatment programs, sheltered workshops and homeless shelters. The undergraduate student will be well prepared to pursue graduate study in several areas including counseling, psychology, social work and related fields. Our department also offers master's programs in Community Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.

Extracurricular Activities

Students are encouraged to volunteer or work part-time in social services agencies in order to gain more hands-on experience.

Transfer Students

Articulation agreements have been established or proposed with all the community colleges in the state of Nevada. Students must fulfill their university requirement in order to graduate: 62 credits must be from a four-year college, at least 42 credits must be 300- 400-level courses, and 124 hours are required for graduation.