Earn your bachelor's degree in Human Services

SPC is the first in the Florida College System to offer a combined bachelor’s degree in Human Services and embedded Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate aimed at helping fill the critical need for human services employees. Graduates can use their training to expand their career opportunities and sharpen their skills in the field, which can lead to better pay and advancement. The B.S. degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in a related field such as social work, counseling, human services, and psychology.

This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Social and Community Service Managers

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

7,810

2033

9,070

Percent Change

16

Projected Job Openings

770

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

17,230

2033

22,220

Percent Change

29

Projected Job Openings

2120

Mental Health Counselors

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

17,230

2033

22,220

Percent Change

29

Projected Job Openings

2120

Community Health Workers

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

2,150

2033

2,670

Percent Change

24

Projected Job Openings

290

Skills you learn in SPC's Bachelor of Science Degree

  • Principles of providing social services within diverse settings of the human services delivery system
  • Examination of current social issues and human services trends and their impact on society, including mental/behavioral health, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, poverty, substance abuse and dependence.
  • Professional demeanor using interpersonal skills within the professional setting, including active listening, reflecting, clarifying, using open-ended questions, and responding accurately to verbal and nonverbal behavior.
  • Case management, including documentation, assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention and the ability to make appropriate referrals, identify and access human services resources, including online databases, directories, and referral centers. 
  • Adherance to professional, ethical standards in human services practice, including confidentiality, informed consent, self-disclosure, boundaries, and sensitivity when working with diverse populations. 
  • Awareness of one’s personal development, values, and personal challenges and strengths as they relate to one’s personal and professional development and practice and the responsibility for ongoing professional growth and development.

Human Services Bachelor of Science

HUMSVC-BS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640)

The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.

Program Summary

The Human Services Bachelor of Science (BS) degree offers a distinctive opportunity for interdisciplinary study drawing students from the lower division human services programs and students pursuing an A.A. degree with a psychology, social work or sociology sub plan. The degree appeals to students who may be working in the field in entry-level positions and can directly apply the concepts they learn in the classroom. Students can utilize their education immediately upon graduation as this degree does not require a commitment to graduate school. The BS, however, will prepare students to pursue graduate work in disciplines such as human services, counseling, psychology, addiction studies, health sciences, applied behavior analysis, rehabilitative & mental health counseling, social work, business, etc. An additional distinctive feature of the BS degree will include service learning as a critical component.

Graduation Requirements

ALL COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A MINIMUM GRADE OF "C"

GENERAL EDUCATION: All students must complete the 36 credit general education requirement in order to graduate from this program. A.S. degree holders may need to complete an additional 15-21 general education credits to complete the thirty-six (36) credit hour general education requirement.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: If you have not completed two consecutive years of the same foreign language in high school or 8 credits in college, you will need to complete 8 credits of foreign language before completing the B.S. program.

CIVIC LITERACY: As per Florida Rule 6A-10.04213, baccalaureate degree students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2021-2022 academic school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).

Academic Pathways

The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
  • the recommended order in which to take the program courses
  • suggested course when more than one option exists
  • which semester each course is typically offered
  • if the course has a prerequisite
  • courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
VIEW THE RECOMMENDED ACADEMIC PATHWAY

Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.

Program Leadership Information

Dr. Joseph Smiley
Dean
smiley.joseph@spcollege.edu
727.712.5851
Dr. Latresha Bighem-Moore
Human Services Program Director
bighemmoore.latresha@spcollege.edu
727.497.5015

Florida CIP Code

1104400001 - Human Services

Federal CIP Code

44.0000 - Human Services, General.

Admission information for the Human Services BS Degree

Download program admission guide

CONTINUE YOUR human services EDUCATION at SPC

Our Social and Human Services Associate in Science Degree prepares you to earn our Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate. The advanced certificate is part of our Human Services Bachelor's Degree.

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