Program(s) Available: B.S.
If you’re interested in helping others through personal, systemic or life changes, a bachelor’s in human services can provide you with the foundation you need to build a career supporting individuals, families and communities. As a human services major at Northwest, you'll build the practical skills necessary for working with people, learn how to advocate and connect individuals and families to services, and complete more than 200 hours of experience in the field before you even graduate.
The B.S. in human services is a broad degree that prepares you to work directly with individuals, families, groups and communities. You’ll explore human development, family systems, social policy and group dynamics while learning how to assess needs, develop case plans, coordinate services and support people through complex situations.
Classes for the human services major include:
Skills you’ll gain with a bachelor’s in human services:
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Cris Jacobson
660.562.1243
crisj@nwmissouri.edu
From profession-based learning to a close-knit community, you’ll have the experiential learning opportunities and support you need to graduate career-ready.
Practice interviewing and active listening in the classroom. Develop case files for hypothetical clients. Learn about disparities and privilege as a townsperson in an Opportunity Town Simulation. In every human services course you take at Northwest, you’ll engage in applied learning experiences like these to prepare you to work with real people – long before your first internship or job. By the end of the program, you’ll have gained over 200 hours of experience through observation, service learning, simulation and a supervised internship that you can apply directly to your future human services career
Get practical work experience aligned with your career goals through a required internship and time in the field. Whether it’s supporting client intakes at a mental health agency, coordinating services for youth programs or connecting seniors to community resources, you’ll gain experience that prepares you for your future job. By the end of the program, you’ll have numerous experiences, professional references and skills you can use on your resume – all of which future employers value.
Develop the broad knowledge you need for human services jobs by studying a wide range of disciplines. The human services major includes coursework in psychology, sociology, case management, family systems, social policy and group dynamics, all taught by faculty who bring real experience from their respective fields. This multidisciplinary curriculum prepares you for careers in social services, nonprofit, community outreach, education and health service settings supporting individuals, families, and communities of all ages.
Northwest’s program prepares you for human services jobs in numerous areas, including mental and behavioral health, social services, criminal justice/corrections, alcohol/substance abuse, education and developmental services.
Specific human services major jobs include:
We understand that college is an investment, which is why we’re invested in you. Our program has several scholarships available for human services majors. Search human services scholarships or browse all aid below.
With over 200 programs, you can find what sparks your curiosity and combine majors and minors for a human services education that’s as unique as you.
Whether you want to be part of I Will Listen through the Behavioral Sciences Association, find community in Psi Chi or rally around a cause, there’s an option for you at Northwest. Browse student organizations.
With the most national titles in DII football history, 12 different sports teams and a community that cheers them on, you’ll feel Bearcat pride wherever you go – and experience a campus that truly feels like home.
“The human services program at Northwest Missouri State University taught me how to turn compassion into meaningful action that strengthens my community. The knowledge and experience I gained continue to guide the way I serve and advocate for youth and families every day.”
Shea Maxwell | Case Manager, Southwest Iowa Families | Bachelor of Science Human Services, Psychology Minor | 2020
“The human services program at Northwest Missouri State University gave me invaluable hands-on experiences in my classes that helped me get a job before I even graduated. The faculty have a true passion for helping and caring for students. They helped me see my own passions that I have carried with me throughout my professional career, which has included work at Preferred Family Healthcare as a Community Support Specialist/Psychosocial Rehab Specialist, Immanuel Pathways as the Medicaid Coordinator and most recently at Northwest as an Associate Director of Admissions.”
Shelby (Letuli) Wood | Associate Director of Admissions, Northwest Missouri State University | Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Child & Family Studies Minor | 2018
“The human services program at Northwest Missouri State gave me the confidence and versatility to take my degree anywhere – from sports and crisis work to nonprofit operations. It taught me how to lead with empathy, communicate with purpose and find meaning in every role I take on. Truly an invaluable program!”
Natasha (Samudzi) Bush | Administrative & Development Coordinator, Eye of An Immigrant; Freelance Social Media/Content Creator, National Women's Soccer League, Nuuly, Overtime, and others | Bachelor of Science Human Services, Cum Laude | 2020
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for my degree, instructors, advisors, classmates and my Peer Wellness Coaching internship experience at Northwest. The human services and psychology faculty as well as Wellness Services prepared me to be successful in my work with students and other people. I cannot thank Ms. Jacobson enough for preparing me for everything. I use a lot of skills she taught me every day at work and in life. One of my best life decisions was coming to Northwest and majoring in human services!”
Rashoud Shelton | Student Engagement/Campus Life Coordinator, Mater Dei High School | Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Child & Family Studies Minor | 2024
“My time at Northwest and in the human services program provided me with many experiences and opportunities that taught me the skills needed to build relationships with clients and collaborate with community resources. These experiences have made it so, whether I am assisting with an intake or assisting someone in crisis, I am able to help the client get connected to the support they need, allowing them to be successful in the goals they are wanting to accomplish.”
Aidin Muehler | Housing Stabilization Specialist, Kim Wilson Housing (Kansas City) | Bachelor of Science Human Services, Coaching Minor | 2024
“The human services program at Northwest Missouri State taught me to expand my thinking when it came to helping people in our community. The coursework set me up to be successful in my career right out of college.”
Tom Maxwell | Care Transition Coordinator, St. Croix Hospice | Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Gerontology Minor | 2019
“The human services program was incredibly valuable in helping me build practical skills for supporting individuals and communities. It also broadened my perspective beyond traditional psychology, teaching me about social issues, the therapeutic processes and real-world application of supporting diverse communities.”
Amber Sandlin | Graduate Assistant, Northwest Missouri State University Wellness Services | Bachelor of Science in Human Services | 2024
Learn from faculty who combine professional experience in counseling, psychology, social work, sociology, early childhood education and related fields. They design courses to align with the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) standards to ensure you receive a comprehensive, quality education. Further, our faculty are intentional about creating personal connections and helping you apply what you learn in class to real human services settings.
As a Senior Instructor in the human services program, Cris Lydon Jacobson helps students develop the practical skills and professional confidence they need to thrive in helping careers. She teaches courses such as Introduction to Human Services, Psychology of Groups and Teams, and Principles of Counseling, where students practice interviewing, teamwork and problem-solving through simulations, role plays and applied projects. Her academic interests include culturally responsive practice, academic success of first-generation and underrepresented students, mental health and social policy. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of Missouri and recently completed a certificate in Sport Social Work.
Jacobson also serves as the faculty supervisor for the Peer Wellness Coaching Internship, a collaborative program with Northwest Counseling and Wellness Services that trains students to provide peer-to-peer support on campus. Through this experience, students deepen their professional helping, active listening, and referral skills while promoting well-being within the Northwest community. Known for her student-centered approach, Cris creates a supportive learning environment where future human service professionals can explore their interests, build strong helping skills and prepare for meaningful work in diverse settings.
A human services degree focuses on responding to human needs and human problems in ways that improve quality of life for individuals, families, groups and communities. At Northwest, the bachelor’s degree in human services combines social science theory with applied skills in case management, counseling, advocacy, program planning and research so you can work as a professional helper in a variety of settings.
With a bachelor’s degree in human services, you can work in social and community services, schools, health and behavioral health organizations, nonprofits, higher education, business and more. Common human services major jobs include:
Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in social work, counseling or school counseling.
