Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services

Montana State University Billings offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree. The curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and draws extensively upon resources and regular course offerings from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education. The Human Services faculty is comprised of those members whose training and professional experience is directly supportive of the human services training program and the course work presented in the program curriculum.

Human Services is defined as a broad field of human endeavor in which the professional assists individuals, families, and communities to better cope with crisis, change, and stress; to prevent or alleviate stress; and to function effectively in all areas of life and living. The primary goal of this program is to prepare students for entry level professional practice in the broad spectrum of human services in a manner that is responsive to both current and future trends and needs for human resource development. The curriculum is flexible to permit the student to become well acquainted with the comprehensive spectrum of human and helping services, yet specific enough to provide the information, tools, and skills required of human services professionals. The emphasis on field experiences is a clear reflection of the importance given to the application of theory and methodology in applied human interaction.

Human services professionals may find career opportunities within a wide variety of private and public human and helping services programs. Specific areas or fields of professional services may include allied health services; probation, parole, and juvenile services; family and community services; gerontology services; counselors and administrators for group homes, crisis centers, and other community-based service programs; community mental health; multicultural career education and counseling programs; drug and alcohol programs; recreation therapy; pre-school and child-care programs; adult education and life-long learning programs; and human services education programs. It is also anticipated that some students will pursue graduate studies programs in education, social work, psychology, human development, family studies, gerontology, and human services management.

The program’s dual design toward individualization and generic helping services orientation, along with a strong interdisciplinary training program, necessitates a liaison between the student and the human services faculty.

Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

All students desiring admission to the Human Services Program are required to file an application for admission. The application must be completed during the semester following the completion of 40 semester hours of credit, or, in the case of a transfer student, during the first semester of residence after the student has attained sophomore level.

1. A minimum of 37 semester credits is to be completed prior to admission to the Human Services Program.

2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required in all courses completed.

3. All applicants must complete the General Education Category Requirements at Montana State University Billings, or at another regionally accredited institution of higher education, earning a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Courses taken on a pass/no pass or credit/noncredit basis will not be accepted to fulfill the requirements. Students should consult with their academic advisor.

4. The application should be submitted to the faculty advisor for review and approval, signed by the advisor and the Department Chair.

Students not accepted are encouraged to apply for admission during the next application period. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that a completed application is submitted by the deadline. It is suggested that applications be submitted at least three (3) weeks prior to the deadline. If admission to the Human Services Program is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision to the Human Services Committee of the Department. The Department Chair serves as chair of the appeals committee.