Lander | Human Services

Human Services continue to grow due to the needs in social assistance, mental health and substance abuse problems, and counseling and healthcare services being needed by people from all walks of life.

Designed to Help You Help Others

Lander University's B.S. in Human Services program is a natural fit for anyone wishing for a successful career in human services-within a governmental agency, nonprofit organization, healthcare institution, hospital, or business that specializes in providing care for a specific population.

Success for a career in Human Services most likely results from a strong foundation in applied Psychology and Sociology and a program that aims to increase students' knowledge, application, and critical thinking skills. Lander's program will prepare graduates to work in government agencies, healthcare institutions, or non-profit organizations as a case worker, case manager, counselor, or advocate with the ability to have the necessary skills to succeed as a supervisor in public, non-profit, or private settings as further work experience is gained.

Employment options include child and youth service agencies, mental health facilities, group homes, correctional institutions, healthcare institutions, or programs related to alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, or aging. A bachelor's degree allows a person to serve as case manager, mental health assistant, or counselor, but a master's degree is required to serve in a clinical capacity as a social worker, counselor, or therapist. This program would provide students with the ability to seek additional certification or graduate education if desired, such as a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree or a master's level program in marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, or mental health counseling.

About the Human Services Program

The program curriculum centers around core courses in Human Services and blends applied Psychology and Sociology courses. Students are exposed to key areas for knowledge about abuse (e.g. drug and alcohol) and counseling (e.g. marriage and family therapy or crisis intervention) while understanding different populations to enable options for a successful career. Exposure to courses related to the creation and management of budgets, developmental psychology and well-being, and policy analysis within healthcare and social welfare arenas will further students' planning, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Students are able to choose many lower- and upper-level program electives to connect with specific career interests.

Student could earn the degree in four years on the main campus, but those who have earned an associate's degree (or who have two years of coursework in human services, psychology, and/or sociology), could lessen their time to earning a B.S. degree. The curriculum was designed in partnership with those technical colleges that award an A.A.S. in Human Services.

Offered On Campus, Online and at UCG

The B.S. in Human Services is offered through traditional face-to-face and online environments on Lander's main campus in Greenwood and through a blended/hybrid environment at the University Center of Greenville.

At Lander's main campus and online, students can pursue this degree within a four-year timeframe.

If students have 60 hours of coursework or an associate's degree, the timeframe could be two years or less if a full load of courses is taken in fall, spring, and summer terms.

Lander's main campus offers options for courses that are face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Courses at the UCG are in a hybrid mode, but a full course load of 12-15 hours would likely involve some online courses for progress toward completing the degree. UCG students also have the option of taking courses on Lander's main campus.

While the entire program is offered online, an advantage of pursuing this program on the main campus is the closer relationships and mentorship by faculty as well as opportunities for undergraduate research. Students in any degree mode are encouraged to pursue internships and experiential learning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When can I start the program?

New students can start the program each August, January, or June.

How long will it take me to complete this degree?

This depends upon how much coursework is earned before coming to Lander and how much coursework a student takes each term at Lander. Classes are offered in fall, spring, and summer terms, with 16-week schedules for fall and spring courses, and 6-week schedules for summer courses. (Lander has the ability to offer 8-week courses during fall and spring, as well as courses across the entire summer. If there is sufficient demand for these options, they will be provided.) For persons with an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. degree in Human Services, the time to the B.S. degree is two years or less. With 60 hours of coursework, it depends upon the coursework. Check out www.sctrac.org for specific course articulations. For persons with no college-level coursework, the program of study is four years.

Do I have to have an associate degree in Human Services?

No. HUS courses offered by technical colleges cover many areas of the field, so Lander's program is designed to add to this and supplement it with courses in developmental psychology; social problems and the needs of specific populations; the creation and management of budgets, and policy design, application, and analysis. The fastest path to earning the BS degree is an AAS in Human Services, but the curriculum will accommodate persons with an AA or AS or those with only some college-level coursework because it blends coursework in several social science disciplines.

Will I receive credit for classes I've taken at a technical college?

Up to 64 credit hours can be transferred into Lander from an accredited two- or four-year institution. Students with an associate's degree have typically completed 60 or more hours of coursework. Lander has worked with specific technical colleges for a four-year plan that is a pathway to earn this BS degree. Contact Lander for more information on pathway opportunities.

Will I receive credit for classes I've taken at a technical college if I was earning an AAS rather than an AA or AS degree?

Yes. Human Services programs at most technical colleges are an AAS degree and Lander designed its curriculum in partnership with technical colleges whose curricula are representative of most AAS in Human Services programs. Check out www.sctrac.org for specific course articulations.

Transfer Pathway Guides

Lander University has developed articulation agreements with the South Carolina State Technical College system to improve students’ transition from a technical college to Lander University.

Below is the Suggested Course Sequence to help students progress smoothly through the technical college of their choice and Lander University to earn both an Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services (LU). All courses listed are required for the degrees, except those where a range of courses is available to choose from, or where courses are listed as electives. The course sequence shown is an example and may be modified in some cases. Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure the chosen courses keep them on track for a timely graduation.

Central Carolina Technical College