Family & Human Services Graduate Programs

Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/human-services/index.html

Faculty

Zenova Williams, PhD, Associate Professor, Department Chair and MA Director
Stacy Conner, PhD, Associate Professor (SAS Associate Dean)
Kara Langin, PhD, Assistant Professor, BAS Director
Jessie Piper, PhD, Assistant Professor
Dena Dean, MSW, Clinical Coordinator and Lecturer
Bailey Grey, MSW, Lecturer
Patty Robert, Administrative Specialist

In line with, and support of, the overall University and School of Applied Studies mission statements, the Department of Family and Human Services helps students achieve their highest potential, encourages lifelong learning, and provides opportunities for career development.

Mission

The mission of the Family and Human Services Department is for students to attain the attitudes, skills, and knowledge to become effective, ethical, and compassionate helping professionals who engage in creative approaches to meet diverse individual, family, community, and societal needs.

Internship Requirements

Students must apply for admission to the Family and Human Services Internship Program and must submit two reference statements. In addition, they must apply for each subsequent internship. If accepted by the Department for an internship, students will still have to be accepted by an approved placement agency. Some agencies may require criminal background checks or other personal information. All agencies have full discretion to accept or reject applicants. Progress in the Family and Human Services curriculum will be curtailed if student(s) are not accepted into the internship program or if they are unable to secure a placement or otherwise complete the internship requirement. Additionally, progress in the Family and Human Services curriculum may be curtailed if a student fails an internship or is otherwise let go from an internship site due to performance problems. Please refer to the Family and Human Services Internship Manual, which may be found on the Department’s website, for more information. Students pursuing licensure must meet specific fieldwork requirements. Please refer to your state licensing board for specific fieldwork requirements.

Fast-Track to Master's Degree

Students have the option of earning a Bachelor of Applied Science- Family and Human Services/Addiction Counseling and Master of Arts- Family and Human Services/Addiction Counseling in 5 years (including some summer coursework). In the fourth year of study (after being accepted to the Master’s program), students are able to enroll in MA-HS courses that will be applied as elective credits toward the BAS degree. Being on the fast-track allows students to efficiently use required credits toward two degrees in less time than it would typically take for a student to complete an undergraduate and graduate degree in this field.

Programs

Course Offerings

HS 600 Integrative Family and Human Services (3)

This course uses an integrative lens to survey the profession and practice of family and human services, with an emphasis on addiction counseling. An advanced ecological approach will be used to examine various dimensions of professional practice, including historical and international contexts, family and community involvement, culture-informed practices, integrated treatment, and professional self-care. The content of this course is based on TAP-21 Competencies. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 601 Working with Trauma (3)

This course provides information on the concept of psychological trauma as well as an overview of the common responses to trauma in individuals and families, PTSD diagnostic criteria, and resilience. Current treatment practices, both evidence-based and alternative, are reviewed. Principles for working with trauma-exposed populations in Human Services/Addiction Counseling are emphasized.

HS 602 Trauma and Recovery Services (3)

This course provides an overview of prevention and intervention services available to persons and families who have experienced traumatic stress. Particular focus will be placed on trauma-informed strategies and ethical interventions. Topics will include various traumatic exposures that may be experienced across the lifespan, including child abuse, bullying, partner violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, hate crimes, homicide, elder abuse, military trauma, natural disasters, and vehicle accidents.

HS 604 Advanced Methods Individual Counseling (3)

This course provides the study of counseling theories and practical skills necessary for effective face-to-face and individual counseling. Students will learn a variety of evidenced-based and culturally sensitive techniques designed to facilitate the therapeutic relationship as well as the educational and psycho-social development of clients. Competence in counseling is built on an understanding of, appreciation of, and ability to appropriately use the contributions of various addiction counseling theoretical models as they apply to modalities of care for individuals, groups, families, couples, and significant others. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addiction counseling licensure at the clinical level with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 605 Advanced Methods Group Counseling (3)

This course is designed to provide knowledge and practical skills in management of psycho-educational and therapeutic groups. Students will be learn a variety of techniques and strategies designed to facilitate educational and psycho-social development of groups of clients and significant others. This course will include information on criteria for cognitive-behavioral strategies and other evidence-based, culturally sensitive approaches to group counseling. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 610 Professional Ethics/Practice (3)

This course covers major professional readiness issues, including code of ethics, privacy rights and confidentiality, legal responsibilities and liabilities of clinical supervision, and development of a professional attitude and identity. Cultural competence, professional organizations, and licensure and certification are also covered topics. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addiction counseling licensure at the clinical level with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 615 Advanced Pharmacology and Substance Use Disorders (3)

This course will address concepts of pharmacological properties and effects of psychoactive substances. The continuum of drug use will be discussed, such as initiation, intoxication, harmful use, abuse, dependence, withdrawal, craving, relapse, and recovery. Behavioral, psychological, social, and physical health effects of psychoactive substances, drug interactions, and medication-assisted therapies will be presented. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 620 Integrative Approaches to Co-Occurring Disorders (3)

This course will discuss the collaborative approaches of psychopharmacology, psycho education, supported employment, and culturally sensitive/ integrated/recovery-oriented substance use and mental health treatment. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 623 Addiction Service Coordination (3)

This course focuses on the coordination of services for family and human services clients. Students will learn about intake, screening, assessment, diagnosis, client placement, treatment planning, discharge/transfer plans, report writing, referral and other aspects of service coordination. The course stresses a multidisciplinary approach to service coordination and examines the roles of professionals, agencies, families, community groups, and other support systems in the treatment process across the continuum of care. Students will learn effective, ethical ways to work with clients, with a focus on recovery-oriented systems of care. The content of this class is based in part on TAP21 competencies. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 625 Addiction/Recovery Services (3)

This course will cover the holistic theories and models of treatment which include the philosophies, practices, policies and outcomes of the most generally accepted and evidence-based models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems. Students will consider the neurobiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual theories of addiction and recovery, including theories necessary for social change related to addiction and recovery. An emphasis in the course will be given to recovery-oriented systems of care. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 635 Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders (3)

The course will cover diagnosis of substance use disorders, including the established diagnostic criteria for culturally sensitive screening, assessment, treatment planning, referrals, service coordination, documentation, and consultation. The theories and principles that support the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders will be discussed, including indications and contraindications for use of each theory or technique, rationale for intervention, role of the counselor, and importance of incorporating gender and ethnicity in selecting and using assessment and treatment methods. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 640 Practicum I (3)

This course includes a seminar and placement at an approved practicum site, providing the opportunity for applying clinical professional skills under supervision. Course completion will require satisfactory evaluation by the field supervisor, fulfillment of seminar course requirements, and completion of required fieldwork and supervision hours. The skills practiced in this practicum are based on TAP-21 competencies. This is a required course for addiction counseling Ii censure with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: HS 604, HS 605, HS 610, HS 635.

HS 641 Practicum II (3)

This course includes a seminar and placement at an approved practicum site, providing the opportunity for further refinement of clinical professional skills under supervision. Course completion will require satisfactory evaluation by the field supervisor, fulfillment of seminar course requirements, and completion of required fieldwork and supervision hours. The skills practiced in this practicum are based on TAP-21 competencies. This is a required course for addiction counseling licensure with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: HS 604, HS 605, HS 610, HS 635; concurrent or prerequisite HS 640.

HS 660 Supervision and Leadership (3)

This course will provide the knowledge and skills for successful clinical supervision and leadership/administration in family and human services. The content of this course is based on TAP-21 Competencies. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 685 Special Topic Seminars (1-6)

Topics will vary by semester and will be announced in advance. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 695 Applied Research (3)

This course covers the purposes and techniques of applied research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. Topics to be discussed include research methodology, data collection and analysis, computer research skills, critical evaluation of professional research reports, and practical application of research within cultural and historical context. . The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensure with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

HS 777 Continuous Enrollment (1-3)

This course is to allow students additional time to complete Capstone, Thesis or Practicum requirements. Prerequisites: Admission to Family and Human Services Graduate Programs or Department consent.

Academic Catalog