At a glance
The human services management (BS) program.
The human services management (BS) program.
"This new program [in human services management] is the second baccalaureate degree offering in the School of Arts and Sciences. We look forward to preparing students to serve as managers in regional human services agencies," said John Buckwalter, interim dean, School of Arts and Sciences.
According to Dr. Gary Lounsberry, professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, who helped develop the new program, "The BS in human services management establishes a clear career ladder for those currently holding an associate's degree in human services and desiring to advance their careers."
The baccalaureate degree (BS) program in human services management prepares workers who, as generalists, can work with clients in a wide range of human services agencies and also can employ sound management practices. This interdisciplinary program produces students able to offer direct service to clients but who also know the basics of program management and supervision. The program requires students to take lower- and upper-level courses in the human services, and additional courses in management, accounting, and leadership. An upper-level internship of 400 or more hours in a public or private human services agency is required.
Michael Cobb, chair of the department, notes that the new program, "Will be a resource for local and regional human services agencies interested in workforce development, for recent graduates of two-year community college programs, and for new students interested in human services who wish to prepare themselves for mid-level positions requiring skills in both direct service to clients and in management."
Graduates of the human services management program will be prepared to enter baccalaureate-level positions in a wide range of human services, social services, health care, non-profit, government, and other public agencies. Examples of qualified mid-level positions include program manager, residential facility manager, unit manager, community outreach manager, case manager, quality assurance manager, grants manager, program planner and developer, and fundraising and organizational development manager. It is likely that graduates of the program will find opportunities to advance to upper-level management positions with further experience in the field. Projections are for a high demand for managers in the non-profit, public sector over the next several decades as the population ages and current managers retire faster than new personnel are entering the field. Positions in the non-profit sector have historically provided better-than-average employment security and benefits, in addition to a high degree of job satisfaction and the opportunity to provide community service.
Graduates who may wish to pursue further education at any point will be prepared for advanced study in human services administration, social work, health care administration, public administration, business administration, and a wide range of other fields that value preparation in non-profit management and the social and behavioral sciences.
For more information, contact Michael Cobb, chair, Social & Behavioral Sciences Department, Alfred State College, (607) 587-4189, cobbmj@alfredstate.edu or the Admissions Office,1-800-4-ALFRED or (607) 587-4215; admissions@alfredstate.edu.