Family & Human Services Department

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

Faculty

Stacy Conner, PhD, Associate Professor, Department Chair
Zenova Williams, PhD, Assistant Professor, MA Director
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, Senior Administrative Assistant

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.

Program Description

The Family and Human Services department prepares students for careers in a variety of helping professions, including addictions counseling and family life education (see program approvals below) as it relates to the areas of youth services, trauma and recovery services, gerontology/aging, mental health, disability services, and homelessness/poverty. At the Associate's level, students can choose from an Associate of Arts degree with robust general education, which sets them up for a future Bachelor's degree, or an Associate of Applied Science degree, which offers more flexibility within the 60 credit hours required. At the Bachelor’s level students may choose from two tracks, addiction counseling or family services, both of which prepare them for licensing or certification. The Department also offers certificates in Addiction Counseling, Gerontology, Trauma and Recovery, and Non-Profit Management, all of which require a prior or concurrent Bachelor’s degree. Students can choose online or on-campus coursework (or both).

Program Approvals and Licensure/Certification Eligibility

The addiction counseling program is approved by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) and the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). The program provides the educational curriculum for becoming Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC), Licensed Master Addiction Counselors (LMAC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselors (LCAC) in Kansas. The program is also approved by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to provide the educational curriculum for becoming certified as a Person Centered Case Manager (PCCM) in Kansas. KDADS and BSRB have additional post-degree eligibility requirements. In addition, application for licensing and certification may require a criminal background check and other personal information. Students should contact the licensing approval body for specific eligibility information.

Students seeking addiction licensing/certification in other states may be able to meet requirements through Washburn's program. Please contact your state licensing board for eligibility requirements.

Students who complete the family services track at the Bachelor’s level will fulfill the educational requirements to apply for the Certification in Family Life Education through the National Council on Family Relations within two years of graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, Family and Human Services students should be able to:

Describe the historical development and scope of the field.
Explain the foundational values of the field, including the promotion of strengths, diversity, social justice, and integrative wellness.
Demonstrate effective prevention, intervention, and evaluation skills for working with individuals, families and other stakeholders.
Display effective interpersonal and professional skills appropriate to the field.
Adhere to professional ethical standards.

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.

Department Sponsored Co-Curricular Activities

Washburn Family and Human Services Coalition (WFHSC): The purpose of the Coalition is to bring together students from different fields of study that relate to human services. The Coalition provides career development, professional education, and networking opportunities for its members.

Department Honors

Graduation with Honors in Family and Human Services requires a minimum major GPA of 3.75, completion of a Department-approved project, and Department approval. Faculty will consider student performance of the interpersonal and professional skills listed in the Internship manual when determining approval.

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

Please see the Graduate catalog for additional information regarding the department's graduate programs:

Course Offerings

Many of the following courses are offered both online and face-to-face. Students trying to complete the Family and Human Services curriculum, however, are advised that the courses they need may not be offered in each format every semester.

HS 100 Family and Human Services (3)

This course provides an introduction to the philosophical framework, major theoretical models, and interdisciplinary nature of family and human services. Students will examine various approaches to family and human services within historical, societal, and cultural contexts. Students will explore occupations, professional organizations, and community resources relevant to family and human services. Students will complete a 30 hour service learning project in a relevant agency in their own community. Prerequisite: None

HS 131 Human Development (3)

This course provides a holistic introduction to human development across the lifespan and considers different theoretical approaches and research methods used to study development. The course examines developmental processes using social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and sexual lenses from conception through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, later life and death. The course offers information designed to support healthy human development using an interdisciplinary approach based on science and applied toward important human problems. Prerequisite: None.

HS 222 Juvenile Justice (3)

The American system of juvenile justice, including the roles and relationships of law enforcement, courts, probation and parole, diversionary programs, service agencies, and correctional institutions. Prerequisite: None.

HS 231 Methods of Long Term Mental Health Care (3)

This course will build on the theoretical issues of basic health care, with emphasis on acquiring the skills to care for the health and safety concerns of people in long-term treatment programs. Prerequisite: None.

HS 232 Introduction to Community Mental Health Services (3)

This course is designed to familiarize students with the history and development of community mental health; federal, state and local policies impacting the delivery of community mental health services; and methods utilized in community mental health service delivery such as short-term counseling, crisis intervention, case management, prevention, education, and assessment of need for services. Prerequisite: None.

HS 240 Introduction to Intellectual Disabilities (3)

This is a survey course designed to introduce the student to a philosophy and set of practices for providing services to people with intellectual disabilities. Course topics include rights of individuals, legal issues, assessment and planning, communication, prevention, and supportive services for promoting independence and well-being. The course focuses on practical skill development for working with people with intellectual disabilities. Prerequisite: None.

HS 243 Fundamentals of American Sign Language (3)

This course is designed to provide students with a basic framework of knowledge regarding the nature of hearing loss and its extremely varied influence on the lives of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and deaf with a dual diagnosis. Important issues within the field of deafness will be addressed, namely: Deaf culture, education of deaf people, technological advances, and political influences. Emphasis will be placed on learning the fundamentals of American Sign Language (ASL) while providing the student with a working vocabulary of approximately 500 signs. The student can expect sign demonstration and practice as well as lecture on various salient topics in deafness.

HS 250 Skills for Helping Professionals (3)

This course is designed to address foundational skills and techniques for providing family and human services. Students will engage in assignments to aid in their preparation for human services practice at the internship level. This course will explore ethics and professional conduct, goal setting, behavior-change strategies, communication skills, and relationships built on respect, compassion, and responsibility. Students will consider how values and biases influence helping. Special consideration will be given to understanding and working with diverse populations. Prerequisite: None.

HS 260 Directed Study (1-3)

Family and Human Services majors may pursue an independent study project if approved by the instructor in consultation with the Department Chair. A contract must be signed by all parties that specifies learning outcomes, assignments, deadlines, and assessment strategies. Independent Study courses must meet equivalencies to Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisite: Department Consent.

HS 290 Special Topics/Human Services (1-3)

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance.

HS 300 Prevention and Social Change (3)

This course will examine the foundational roles of prevention and social change in Family and Human Services. Content will focus on selection and implementation of social change and prevention strategies, with special attention to the importance of social justice in promoting a healthy society. Prerequisite: None.

HS 301 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, family stress theories, resource management, and resilience. Current treatment practices, both evidence-based and alternative, are reviewed. Principles for working with trauma-exposed populations in family and human services are emphasized. This course is required for the Trauma and Recovery Certificate in Family and Human Services. Prerequisite: None.

HS 304 Case Management (3)

This course is designed to enhance students' ability to provide case management services. This course will focus on serving children with severe emotional disturbance and adults with mental illness. In addition, students will investigate issues and responsibilities of case managers, community resources, the family support perspective, client advocacy, the strengths approach when working with people, and the fundamental philosophy and applications of wraparound community services. This course will be helpful for those students with the desire to work as case managers, social workers who would like to expand their knowledge of case management in community settings, bachelor level psychology students wanting to work in community mental health, and administrators/supervisors who have the desire to implement case management services within their agencies. Prerequisite: None.

HS 308 Working with Parents and Youth (3)

This course examines effective parenting strategies and parent education programs, with attention to contemporary sociocultural issues impacting families. Students will study evidence-based prevention and intervention practices for working with parents and youth that promote healthy child development, effective family functioning and resilience. Prerequisite: None.

HS 310 Gender and Sexuality (3)

This course provides information on the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of human sexuality across the lifespan. In addition, this course discusses issues of sexual, gender, and relationship diversity within the helping professions. Students will learn to communicate about gender, sexual, and relationship diversity with appropriate vocabulary and evidence-based information. The course will emphasize how helping professionals can create an inclusive and supportive environment for working with sexual and gender minority populations. Prerequisite: None.

HS 312 Mental Health and Addiction (3)

This course teaches students about effective addictions treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders. The course will provide students with an understanding of terms, services delivery systems, assessment, and strategies for working with clients with co-occurring disorders. The course will cover methods for providing individualized treatment based on a consumer's biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. The content of this course is based on TAP21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensure with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisite: None.

HS 316 Addictions Treatment (3)

This course describes the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems. Students will be exposed to the principles and philosophy of prevention, treatment and recovery. The course will focus on the social, political, economic, cultural, and family context within which addiction and substance abuse exist, including risk and resiliency factors that characterize individuals and groups and their living environments. Emphasis will be given to the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and significant others and the importance of research and outcome data and their application in clinical practice. 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. Prerequisite: None.

HS 321 Youth & Violence (3)

This course is designed to provide an overview of violence and youth, specifically the problems associated with it; including, but not limited to, such issues as definition, reporting, investigations, causes, treatment, the importance of family preservation and re-integration, institutional abuse, institutional neglect, parent training, parent support, prevention, the roles of foster care, state agencies, the court system, the schools, etc. The role of the human service worker in preventing and dealing with child abuse and youth violence will be an area of special focus. Child abuse will be viewed as a part of a continuum of personal/family violence. Prerequisite: None.

HS 323 Service Coordination (3)

This course focuses on the coordination of services for 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. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensure with Kansas BSRB. Prerequisite: None.

HS 325 Group Work (Group Counseling) (3)

This course is designed to provide both knowledge and skills in the organization and facilitation of psycho-educational and other group experiences used in the helping process, with special focus on addiction and recovery. Students will learn a variety of techniques and strategies designed to facilitate and enhance group learning and the personal growth of participants—particularly psycho-social development. 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. Prerequisite: None.

HS 341 Applied Behavioral Interventions (3)

This course is designed to familiarize students with the history, theory, and practice of applied behavior analysis. Emphasis will be on the “practice” side, with students learning how to define and observe behaviors, design effective and socially valid interventions to help consumers reach valued goals, and analyze the impact of interventions on important behaviors. Students will learn about best practices in behavior analysis with a variety of consumer populations and will gain experience in reading and evaluating reports of behavior-analytic research. Prerequisite: None.

HS 355 Peacemaking (3)

The course will cover the need for peace education in our society. Peace education is pertinent for students majoring in human services with an interest in working with violence and poverty prevention, social justice, the environment, youth, and sustainable communities. Other students will find value in the course through the experiential component of designing a peace education presentation that can be used in their community. Topics include personal peacemaking, nonviolence, conflict resolution, compassionate intentional living, civil rights, equity, education and the environment. Prerequisite: None.

HS 360 Directed Study (1-3)

Family and Human Services majors may pursue an independent study project if approved by the instructor in consultation with the Department Chair. A contract must be signed by all parties that specifies learning outcomes, assignment deadlines, and assessment. Independent Study courses must meet equivalencies to Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisite: Department consent

HS 362 Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery (3)

This course is an advanced undergraduate course that focuses on contemporary human trafficking and slavery. Types of trafficking and slavery to be covered include sex trafficking, bonded labor, forced labor, child soldiers, chattel slavery, and domestic servant slavery. The contributing roles of the state, organized crime, the media, culture, and corruption will be examined. It will review the debates about defining trafficking and the connection between sex trafficking and prostitution. Course materials may include testimonies and autobiographies by survivors, research reports, theoretical essays, policy statements, expert testimonies, podcasts and videos. Prerequisite: None.

HS 370 Mass Victimization/Mental Health (3)

This course will provide an overview of interventions used with victims following mass violence and disasters. Additionally, compassion fatigue effects and methods used to assist emergency responders who become victims of disaster through their role in response and recovery will be thoroughly discussed. Attention will focus on mental health effects dealing with both immediate and long-term recovery issues for immediate victims and those responding to the incident.

HS 371 Mental Health and Aging (3)

This course provides an overview of biological, psychological, and social factors related to successful aging, with an emphasis on the development and maintenance of mental health across the lifespan. The course considers ways that HS professionals can support mental health throughout the aging process. Students will also learn about mental health problems in relation to the aging process. Prerequisite: None.

HS 372 Death & Dying (3)

This course will cover biological, psychological, social, and cultural issues surrounding death and the dying process. Topics will include stages of dying, approaches to working with people who are dying and their families, the bereavement process, cross-cultural practices related to death and dying, services available to people who are dying and to their caregivers, and legal and ethical issues surrounding end-of-life decision making. Prerequisite: None.

HS 373 Disaster Response and Recovery (3)

This course provides an overview of the hazard cycle and basic concepts of disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Additionally, this course will provide an overview of the helping professional's role during times of disaster including discussion of the specific emergency support functions assigned to groups and agencies as designated in the National Response Framework. Emphasis will also be paid to concepts used when working with direct and indirect victims of disaster. Prerequisite: None.

HS 375 Hate and Bias Crimes (3)

This course provides an overview of hate and bias crimes in the United States. Focus will be on causative factors, human service and criminal justice responses, and impact on victims/survivors and communities. Hate violence based upon race and ethnicity will be a primary focus, but discussion will also include hate violence targeting persons because of gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, and disabilities. Prerequisite: None.

HS 377 Personal & Community Prevention (3)

This course explores a principle-based model of professional health and helping. It focuses on a new and innovative approach to prevention and human services that changes lives, communities, and organizations from the inside-out. Most recently known as The 3 Principles (also known as Health Realization), this approach emphasizes people’s innate health and resilience to foster the capacity for personal well-being and the ability to function productively and successfully among colleagues and constituents. This course is directed toward strengthening the student’s approach to life and work, which is necessary for developing the capacity to serve others and respond to the consistent demands of the helping profession. Prerequisite: None.

HS 378 Issues in Aging (3)

The course provides an interdisciplinary examination of the human aging process by surveying biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural theories, and influences, on aging. While this course does not focus solely on old age, the course will examine social policies and human services for older people that are informed by our knowledge of the aging process. Prerequisite: None.

HS 381 Internship I (3)

This course is the first internship required in the Associate and, Baccalaureate programs, and may be used to meet certificate requirements. The internship consists of a minimum of 150 clock-hours of field experience in an agency in the community under the supervision of agency staff and university faculty. In addition, a weekly seminar is required to integrate learning in the field with classroom instruction. Students work on specific competencies related to the delivery of human services. Additionally, addiction counseling students work on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addiction counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisite: Department consent.

HS 390 Special Topics (1-6)

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance.

HS 395 International Service Experience (0-3)

This course will offer the students the opportunity to experience the culture of countries other than the United States while engaged in meaningful service in both urban and rural settings. Through a partnership with a non-governmental agency service assignments will be arranged to meet the needs of various communities. The focus of this assistance is on community and economic development, sustainable agriculture, health, education, training in non-violent resolution of conflicts, and women's empowerment. The purpose of the experience is to develop friendships and a sense of partnership with the members of the community organizations and people the students interact with during their time in country. In addition to completing the service project students will learn about the history, political systems, and the culture of the country they visit. Prerequisite: Instructor consent.

HS 402 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. Prerequisite: None.

HS 410 Pharmacology & SUDs (3)

This course covers fundamental concepts of pharmacology, including physiological, behavioral, psychological, social and health effects of psychoactive substances. The course also covers infectious diseases associated with substance use and methods of disease prevention. Students will learn about drug screening, drug testing and HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, and associated legal and ethical issues. The content of this course is based on TAP21 competencies. This is a required course for addictions counseling licensure with the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Prerequisite: None.

HS 411 Family Issues (3)

This course will explore the role that family interaction plays in the various areas of Family and Human Services. Different theories of family functioning and intervention will be reviewed, as well as major risk and resiliency factors. Specific attention will be paid to family issues using a strengths-based approach to domestic violence, youth issues, aging family members, illness and disability, and addictions. For students preparing to work as addiction and recovery counselors, knowledge of ways to teach or facilitate discussions of how substance use and abuse affects families and concerned others will be emphasized. 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. Prerequisite: None.

HS 414 Individual Counseling Methods (3)

This course will introduce students to a variety of evidence-based counseling theories and approaches for working with individual clients and family/significant others. Students will study common topics that arise in individual counseling as well as cultural and ethical issues associated with effective counseling practice. In addition, the course will examine methods for forming effective helping relationships along with strategies for helping clients establish and work toward realistic, meaningful goals. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate an individual counseling approach covered in this course. The content of this course is based in part on TAP 21 competencies. This is a required course for addiction counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisite: None.

HS 421 Women and Addiction (3)

Women with substance use disorders have serious and unique health concerns. Using a bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework, this course will examine how treatment services are changing to help women successfully navigate the road to recovery. Prerequisite: None.

HS 429 Adolescence & Substance Abuse (3)

This course is designed to cover the dynamics of substance abuse for children and youth, and the state-of-the-art of prevention and intervention. Special topics of the course will include growth and development, family process, assessment, intervention, treatment, co-dependency, education, cultural factors, at-risk populations, prevention, and resources. Prerequisite: None.

HS 446 Legal, Ethical, & Professional Issues (3)

This course will address legal, ethical, and professional issues which impact the delivery of human services, including codes of ethics, confidentiality, duty to warn, and similar issues. 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. Prerequisite: None.

HS 450 Multicultural Issues (3)

This course provides an overview of the major issues in providing family and human services to the increasingly pluralistic population of the United States. Themes to be discussed are: cross-cultural theories of intervention, communication styles, definitions of suffering and recovery, and working with diverse individuals and groups. The range of human service delivery systems, including mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, youth services, gerontology, and victim/survivor services, will be addressed from a multicultural perspective. Emphasis will be on exploring provider attitudes and competencies as well as developing practical applications and solutions. For students preparing to work as addiction and recovery counselors, special emphasis will be given to recognizing the social, political, economic, and cultural context within which addiction and substance abuse exist, including risk and resiliency factors that characterize individuals and groups and their living environments. Prerequisite: None.

HS 480 Internship II (3)

This course is the second internship required in the Baccalaureate program and may also be used to meet certificate requirements. The internship consists of a minimum of 150 clock-hours of field experience in an agency in the community under the supervision of agency staff and university faculty. In addition, a weekly seminar is required to integrate learning in the field with classroom instruction. Students will work on specific competencies related to the delivery of human services. Additionally, addiction counseling students will work on TAP 21 competencies. This internship requires summative reflection, serving as a culminating experience for Bachelor's degree students. This is a required course for addiction counseling licensing with the Kansas BSRB. Prerequisite: Department consent.

HS 481 Internship in Family & Human Services (3)

HS 481 is a supplemental internship course for baccalaureate and certificate students within the Human Services Department who want to obtain additional field experience. The internship consists of a minimum of 150 clock-hours of experience in an agency in the community specific to the student's area of concentration, under the supervision of agency staff and university faculty, as well as a weekly seminar to integrate learning in the field with classroom instruction. Practice will focus on advanced-level skills specific to the student's area of emphasis. Department consent is required for enrollment in this course.

HS 495 Research and Evaluation (3)

This course introduces students to applied research and evaluation in family and human services. The purposes and techniques of applied research and evaluation are explored, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. Students gain experience with the critical reading of research articles relating to the evaluation of human service programs. Projects give students direct experience with program evaluation and applied research. 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. This is a summative course that requires students to synthesize knowledge learned across the curriculum. Prerequisite: Junior/Senior Standing.

HS 498 Senior Capstone Seminar (3)

This capstone course is meant to provide students with the opportunity to assimilate and synthesize the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they have acquired through their coursework and field experiences in the major. Through the development of a portfolio, students will demonstrate the acquisition of the major learning objectives necessary to become a skilled human service professional. This course will address additional issues related to professional development and educational advancement. Prerequisite: Majors only.

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