Human Services Major

The field of Human Services is one of the most rapidly growing sectors within the United States’ economy. Human Services jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree for employment or promotion. To address this need, Iowa Wesleyan University condensed Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Sociology majors into a single Human Services major that is attractive, valuable, and practical for many helping professions.

The human services major is intended to prepare students for a variety of “helping professions” so they can respond to changes in the economy, the healthcare system, and society. The combination of coursework offers a solid grounding in the exploration of human and social problems and effective responsiveness in professional and personal settings.

Jobs in the Human Services field are projected to be among some of the fastest-growing occupations through 2026, as reported by the Occupational Employment Statistics program with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students will learn:

Learn how to communication and motivation.
Perform successfully in a job-related field experience in an area of special interest to the “helping professions”
Demonstrate specific skills commonly used in counseling, and understand common issues typically faced by counselors
Differentiate the major models of abnormal behavior and their implied methods of intervention

Human Services Requirements

Core Requirements

Complete each of the following:

HSEV 101 Careers in Human Services
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
CJ231 Introduction to Criminal Justice
PSYC 131 General Psychology OR PSYC 251 Developmental Psychology
PSYC 326 Introduction to Counseling
PSYC 361 Abnormal Psychology OR PSYC 324 Child Psychopathology
PSYC 365 Psychology of Addiction
PSYC/SOC 205 The Family
SOC 243 Social Problems
SOC 310 Race and Ethnicity
PSYC 249 Research Methods in Psychology 1
PSYC 349 Research Methods in Psychology 2
HSEV 498 Internship
ONE elective course in SOC, PSYC, or CJ (200 level or higher)

Required Support Courses

Elective: Choose one course in SOC, PSYC, or CJ 200-level or higher

Any 200/300 level ENG literature course
COMM 147 Introduction to Public Speaking
Global Awareness Course (WS300, WS315, or WS380)

All degree requirements are subject to change. Please see the current Undergraduate Course Catalog for degree requirements

Career Opportunities in Human Services

Social Services Worker
Human Services Worker
Teaching Assistant
Childcare Assistant
Elementary School Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
Behavioral Management Aide
Correctional Facility Worker
Employment Counselor
Youth Worker
Residential Advisor
Adult Day Care Coordinator
Probation Officer
Leisure Activities Coordinator
Emergency and Relief Worker

Community Food/Housing Service Worker
Vocational Rehabilitation Coach
Case Worker
Personal and Home Care Aide
Hospice Aide
Life Skills Instructor
Child Advocate
Juvenile Court Liaison
Community Organizer
Insurance Representative
Career Coach
Hospital Patient Account Representative
Crisis Intervention Counselor
Intake Interviewer
Community Action Worker

Career Outcomes

2021 Median Pay

Social Workers

School and Career Counselors

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

GET INVOLVED

Association of Student Athletes

A student run organization whose mission is to host fun events, increase fan support, and other sports related events.

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Campus Activity Board

A student run organization whose mission is to bring entertainment and engagement to the students of IW.

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IW Hands Club

The IW Hands Service Club focuses on service-learning and living the Iowa Wesleyan motto of being tenacious, inspired, global, engaged, and respectful.

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WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING. . .

Meet The Professors

Nathan Daniels ’16, M.S.

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Science Hall; Room 105
319-385-6390

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José Pérez Reisler, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Sociology and Human Services Liaison
Science Hall; Room 105
319-385-6393

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