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Human Services

In the Human Services major at Holy Names University, students combine courses in Psychology and Sociology to study the person in society, using the research and analytical skills of both disciplines. The major is designed to provide students with an understanding of interpersonal relations that can be applied to work in social service agencies, as well as in various business and organizational settings. The major has two possible emphases: the social services track offers clinically oriented courses to prepare students for human service areas; the organizational development track encourages increased understanding of organizations and prepares students for personnel work.

The main goals of the program are (1) to create awareness of self and society; (2) to foster awareness of social and cultural diversity; (3) to help students develop counseling and research skills; (4) and to promote critical and ethical thinking on interpersonal and social issues. To meet these goals, the program includes courses designed to promote an understanding of ethics, core values, and social justice. The Human Services major is enhanced through required and recommended General Education courses in mathematics, philosophy, literature, and art as well as the social sciences.
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Bachelor of Arts in Human Services

Preparation for the Major:

  • PSYC 1 Introduction to Psychology
  • PSYC/SOCI 63 Statistical Methods
  • SOCI 1 Introduction to Sociology
  • SOCI 81 Workplaces and Social Services Issues
  • BIOL 15 Fundamentals of Physiology

Major Requirements: (36 upper-division units)

Methodology (3 units)
  • PSYC/SOCI 108(W) Field Methods
Personality Theory and Counseling (6 units)
  • PSYC 160 Psychology of Personality
  • PSYC 167 Counseling Theories and Procedures
Social/Clinical Psychology (6 units)
  • PSYC/SOCI 140 Social Psychology or PSYC/SOCI 143 Group Processes and Communication
  • PSYC 148(W) Organizational Behavior or PSYC 168 Psychopathology
Social Relations and Social Policy (9 units)
  • SOCI 102(W) The Global Perspective
  • SOCI 130 Contemporary Families
  • SOCI 169 Power and Powerlessness
Human Development (3 units)
  • PSYC 131 Adult Development and Aging
    or PSYC 134 Personality and Social Development
Philosophical Issues (3 units)
  • PHIL 140 The Human Person

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There are countless careers in which this degree would serve as strong preparation. Students who study Human Services find themselves well prepared for jobs in numerous fields due to their understanding of interpersonal relations. This knowledge can be applied to work in social service agencies, as well as in various business and organizational settings.

April D. Fernando, Ph.D.
California School of Professional Psychology
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling
510-436-1439
fernando@hnu.edu

Marcia A. Frideger, SNJM, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine
Associate Professor of Business
510-436-1205
frideger@hnu.edu

Maureen Hester, snjm, PhD
St. Louis University
Professor of Psychology
510-436-1069
hester@hnu.edu

Martin Lampert, PhD
University of Southern California
Associate Professor of Psychology
510-436-1532
lampert@hnu.edu

Betty Morris, M.S.
Northwestern University
Assistant Professor of Communication
510-436-1026
morris@hnu.edu

Christine Nahuanani Patrinos, snjm, PhD
University of Hawaii
Assistant Professor of Political Science
510-436-1027
patrinos@hnu.edu

William A. Sadler, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Professor of Business and Sociology
510-436-1346
sadler@hnu.edu

Charles Sarno, PhD
Boston College
Assistant Professor of Sociology
510-436-1256
sarno@hnu.edu

Irene Woodward, CFC, Ph.D.
Catholic University of America
Professor of Philosophy
510-436-1071
woodward@hnu.edu

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