The child and family services concentration within the BA degree in human services is designed for those with a particular interest in child welfare, schools, juvenile corrections, family court, family support agencies, domestic violence agencies, and other child and family organizations. Ideal candidates will work well with at-risk clients, are comfortable working with a multi-disciplinary team, have good written and oral communication skills, are culturally sensitive and can respect a rigid code of ethics.

Child development is a key focus, as is the impact of stress and trauma, public policy and the court system on service provision. Proficiency in these areas will help you develop intervention strategies that improve the well-being of families and their communities.

As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your BA degree in human services online at UMS include:

• Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
• Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
• Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
• Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
• Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
• Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
• Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
• Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for social and community service managers is projected to increase by 16% through 2026.* This is due in large part to our aging population and the increased demand for substance abuse treatment and mental health and health-related services.

Human services professionals work in community, residential care or institutional settings. You may find yourself providing direct services such as leading a group, organizing an activity, or counseling or advocating for those struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and health conditions. You may handle administrative support tasks, too. Job titles include:

• Adult day care worker
• Caseworker
• Community outreach worker
• Group home worker
• Home health aide
• Juvenile court liaison
• Life skills instructor
• Mental health aide
• Probation officer
• Residential counselor
• Social service liaison

Earning an online human services degree is also an excellent segue to a master's degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, public health, public administration and related degrees.

In the online BA in Human Services program with a concentration in child and family services, you'll practice and apply what you learn so you have the confidence and proficiencies to become a human services professional. Major courses cover assessment, evaluating client outcomes, advocating for policy change, developing a care plan and finding a career in human services. Concentration courses provide an in-depth look at child cognitive development, family and community systems, impact of trauma on children and families, and ethics and laws in child welfare.

The bachelor's in human services requires the completion of a capstone experience. The capstone will challenge you to demonstrate how your new skills can be applied in a real-world setting.

UMS's bachelor's in child and family services program includes:

• General education
• Degree-specific courses

General Education Program

Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:

• Writing
• Communication
• Analysis
• Problem solving

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.