Mar 29, 2024  
2013-2014 APU Catalog 
    
2013-2014 APU Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Human Services, B.A.


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The Human Services (HS) program is designed to meet the educational needs of those working in the human services field.  The curriculum is competency based and designed to use active learning to enhance the experiences and understandings that students bring to the classroom, to provide culturally appropriate models and concepts that can be applied to students’ work environments, to enhance personal growth and well-being, and to develop a professionalism that allows students to become leaders in the human services community.

Graduates of the program are expected to :

  1. Understand the scope and history of the human services field, especially in the context of the Alaskan experience.
  2. Acquire competencies required of human services professionals in interviewing skills, care coordination, crisis intervention, group facilitation, cultural competence, management, and service documentation.
  3. Understand and apply ethical principles of the profession.
  4. Develop professional writing skills, including the ability to write in APA format.
  5. Understand and apply research principles to current professional reading, evaluation and other applied research needs of an agency

The Bachelor of Arts degree provides professional level understanding of human service principles and prepares students for managerial level positions in human services. 

As well, as a graduate, you will earn a degree with demonstrated achievement in APU’s Essential Competencies:  Effective Communication; Critical Thinking; Cultural & Historical Perspective; Scientific Inquiry; and Ethical Engagement.

Foundational Studies (32-40 credits)


  • EC Written Communication** (WRIT 20100) (4)
  • EC Presentation & Media Literacy (from 10000-20000 level COMM) (3-4)
  • CT Critical Thinking (from 10000-20000 level CRIT) (3-4)
  • CT Computation** (MT 10100, BAM 10500, or higher placement) (3-4)
  • CH Intellectual Traditions (from 10000-20000 level PH/HI) (4)
  • CH Creative Endeavors (from 10000-20000 level HUM) (4)
  • CH Intercultural & Spiritual Understandings (from 10000-20000 level RS/CS) (3-4)
  • SI Biological/Physical Scientific Inquiry (from 10000-20000 level SC w/ lab) (4)
  • SI Social/Behavioral Scientific Inquiry (various) (3-4)
  • EE Social Responsibility (LS 10200) (2)
  • EE Personal Responsibility (from 10000-20000 OS/PE or BAM 20400) (1-2)

                  [†  Foundational Studies requirement satisfied in the Major Studies]

                  [ **  Minimum grade of ‘C’ (defined as C+, C, C-) must be earned]

Major Studies (55 credits)


Self-Determined Studies (varies)


  • Students are encouraged to undertake an emphasis, concentration, or minor to develop professional distinctions. 
  • Students can use Self-Directed Studies to meet the minimum graduation credit requirement (128 credits) by applying transfer credit, credit-by-exam, credit earned through military training, assessment of prior learning (through the Documenting Experiential Learning [DEL] process), or other alternative methods of earning credit.

Minimum Graduation Credit Hour Requirement: 128


Non-Profit Management Emphasis (12 credits)


A non-profit management emphasis is available to students in the Human Services degree program. This emphasis provides an introduction to the non-profit sector, an understanding of the business functions, and skills necessary for non-profit program management. In addition to completing the requirements for the major, students are required to take HS 41900 or BAM 21000  (pre-requisite for any of the 40000 level elective nonprofit courses). Students who take HS 41900 select four elective non-profit courses, and students who take BAM 21000 , select three elective nonprofit courses from BAM 42000 , BAM 42100 , BAM 42200 , BAM 42300  and IS 31100 .  A total of 12-15 credits is required to earn the non-profit emphasis. All courses in this emphasis are offered online.

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