Human Services Counseling
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- Choose from four unique concentrations
- Earn your degree in two years
- Only human services counseling program in the state of Oklahoma
Program Details
- Next Start Date
- January 9
- Est. Program Length
- 2-4 years
- Course Length
- 8 weeks
- Cost per Credit
- $306.84*
- Credit Hours
- 124
- Credits Accepted
- 94
*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $618.84 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees.
Request InfoBegin your career helping others
Get the training you need to begin a rewarding career with the Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling program at East Central University Online.
A pragmatic, hands-on degree designed to prepare you for entry-level roles in human services, this program features five concentrations of study and substantial opportunities for real-world training. Our online human services degree can ready you to work in a variety of professional areas including family support, substance abuse, social services, care facilities, prison systems and more.
Human Services Counseling Concentrations
Aging Concentration
Specialize in aging and gerontology to solve the challenges of the senior population. The curriculum features program management, group processes, geriatric psychology and more.
Counseling Concentration
Offers a broad course of study that readies students for entry-level counseling careers. Study in-demand topics like intervention techniques, vocational testing and employment and placement.
Rehabilitation Concentration
Work as a disability specialist to help people manage physical, mental, cognitive, behavioral and addictive challenges. The curriculum emphasizes various aspects of disability, intervention techniques, counseling and more.
Prevention Science Concentration
Gain the specialized skills it takes to implement prevention programming in a variety of professional and community settings. Courses for this online concentration program explore violence and self-harm prevention, human development and psychological resilience to ensure you graduate with a thorough understanding of mental health counseling and prevention science practice.
Topics of Study
Our online human services degree offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare you for your career. Just a few potential topics of study include:
- Human behavior
- Case management
- Employment and placement
- Intervention techniques
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social environments
Learning Outcomes
By the time you graduate, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core content needed by entry-level professionals in the human services counseling field.
- Write reports and service plans reflecting a professional level of writing skills in a style appropriate to the field.
- Exhibit improved interpersonal skills, including empathy, communication, patience and active listening.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate human services counseling theory with practice.
Courses & Requirements
Our online bachelor’s degree in human services counseling requires a total of 124 credit hours. Students must take 44 credit hours in general education.
The human services counseling online degree program is comprised of 45 credit hours, including 24 credit hours in the human services core. Depending on your concentration of study, the rest of the required credit hours are divided up among the concentration, human resources and general electives and any special coursework that may be required. It is also recommended that students take 18-21 credit hours of minor courses within the Department of Professional Programs in Human Services.
ECU requires all students to take general education courses. For this program, 6 credit hours (PSYCH 1113 and SOC 1113) are counted in the major. 38 additional credit hours are needed.
- HURES 2083
- HURES 2103
- HURES 2183
- HURES 3183
- HURES 4946
Human Behavior and Social Environment I
3 Credits
Prereq.: SOC 1113 and PSYCH 1113; for Social Work Majors, SOC 1113, PSYCH 1113 and BIOL 1114. Theoretical frameworks drawn from the biological, social, and behavioral sciences for understanding across the life span and the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter achievement of health and well-being. Explored is the impact of factors including ethnicity, race, class, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and culture on human development and behavior.
Interviewing Techniques
3 Credits
Introductory course in Human Resources. This course is designed to aid the student in developing basic communication interviewing skills used in the various Human Service fields. The course will familiarize the student with communication theory as well as the stages, planning, and styles of interviewing.
Fundamentals of Counseling
3 Credits
Prereq. or Coreq.: 2103. This course provides a philosophical orientation to the counseling function, and the counseling model of community services, and explores the various theoretical approaches to the provision of these services.
Case Management Practice
3 Credits
Prereq.: 2103 and an introductory course in Human Resources or departmental approval. A study and practice of case management and knowledge and skills for effective case management. Areas of emphasis include: identification and assessment of client situations, use of formal and informal assessment techniques, case recording skills, and development of individualized assessments and case plans.
Internship—Human Services Counseling
1-12 Credits
Prereq.: Retention grade point average of 2.5 and departmental approval. Each student is required to complete a total of twelve hours (usually one semester) of field training consisting of full-time work in an approved setting. Under special circumstances, alternative arrangements may be approved.
Concentrations
- HURES 3763
- HURES 4443
- HURES 4453
Group Processes and Practice
3 Credits
A study of the nature and purpose of various types of groups, techniques of group facilitation and direction, and the roles of participant and leader in various practice settings. Includes experiential component designed to expose students to group process.
Counseling Services
3 Credits
This course is the application of counseling knowledge and techniques to various client groups and specialized settings.
Intervention Techniques
3 Credits
This course provides the knowledge of crisis intervention as a treatment modality including its history, theoretical base, and application of techniques in crisis situations.
- HURES 2213
- HURES 3083
- HURES 3203
- HURES 3763
- HURES 4443
- HURES 4453
Introduction to Rehab Counseling
3 Credits
A study of rehabilitation concepts, process, philosophy, and its legislative-historical progression. Emphasis will be placed on the role and function of the counselor and the methods and techniques utilized in the rehabilitation process.
Medical, Social and Psychological Aspects of Disability
3 Credits
A study of the relationship between disability and behavior throughout the life process with primary emphasis upon adaptive psychological and social processes. Concepts pertinent to the medical and occupational assessment and persons with disabilities will be considered as they relate to self-concept, environmental demands, and management of disability effects.
Vocational Testing and Evaluation
3 Credits
A study of the vocational testing and evaluation principles and procedures used in various helping services. Instruction and practice in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of instruments used in the assessment of intelligence, aptitude, interest, and personality.
Group Processes and Practice
3 Credits
A study of the nature and purpose of various types of groups, techniques of group facilitation and direction, and the roles of participant and leader in various practice settings. Includes experiential component designed to expose students to group process.
Counseling Services
3 Credits
This course is the application of counseling knowledge and techniques to various client groups and specialized settings.
Intervention Techniques
3 Credits
This course provides the knowledge of crisis intervention as a treatment modality including its history, theoretical base, and application of techniques in crisis situations.
- HURES 2293
- HURES 3253
- HURES 3763
- HURES 4263
- HURES 4443
- HURES 4453
Introduction to Aging
3 Credits
Orientation to concepts, philosophy and legislation on aging. Topics include: implications of aging, legislative and community services. The course is designed so that the student may gain basic knowledge, values, and skills in this area.
Psychology of Aging
3 Credits
A survey introduction to the psychological aspects of later life with particular emphasis on the behavioral changes associated with the emotional, motivational, personality, social and environmental conditions of the elderly.
Group Processes and Practice
3 Credits
A study of the nature and purpose of various types of groups, techniques of group facilitation and direction, and the roles of participant and leader in various practice settings. Includes experiential component designed to expose students to group process.
Gerontological Program Management
3 Credits
A study of the various community programs designed to serve the elderly and an analysis of management procedures necessary for administration of these programs. Topics include: program development, coordination of services, use of volunteers, and special problems of the target population.
Counseling Services
3 Credits
This course is the application of counseling knowledge and techniques to various client groups and specialized settings.
Intervention Techniques
3 Credits
This course provides the knowledge of crisis intervention as a treatment modality including its history, theoretical base, and application of techniques in crisis situations.
Elective
- HURES 2073
- Introduction to Prevention Science
- HURES 3283
- HURES 4453
- HURES 4003
- Theory & Practice of Prevention Science
Addictions and Society
3 Credits
A study of the relationship between addictive behavior and its impact on individuals, families, and society, as well as the presence of co-occurring/co-existing diagnoses. Various assessment instruments will also be explained. Pharmacological, psychological and social aspects of addictions will be discussed.
Intervention Techniques
3 Credits
This course provides the knowledge of crisis intervention as a treatment modality including its history, theoretical base, and application of techniques in crisis situations.
Minor (Required) (18-21 credit hours)
It is recommended that the Human Services Counseling major select a minor from the Department of Professional Programs in Human Services or a related field.
- ASLHR 2613
- ASLHR 3063
- ASLHR 4703
- ASLHR 4733
- HURES 2153
- HURES 3103
- HURES 3133
American Sign Language I
3 Credits
Course consists of principles, methods, and techniques of communication manually with the deaf. Emphasis will be on developing manual communication skills and a basic vocabulary in American Sign Language and an understanding of basic grammatical principles of American Sign Language. Also included will be a brief orientation to the various systems of Signed English.
American Sign Language II
3 Credits
Prereq.: 2613. Course provides continued development of American Sign Language vocabulary and ASL grammar. Emphasis will be on developing expressive and receptive signing skills in ASL.
American Sign Language III
3 Credits
Prereq.: 3063. An in-depth study of American Sign Language grammar, syntax, idioms, and colloquialisms. Includes body language, mime, and other forms of non-verbal communication.
American Sign Language IV
3 Credits
Prereq.: 4703. A continued study of American Sign Language with emphasis on increasing sign language skills. Also included will be the principles of artistic interpreting.
Introduction to Deafness
3 Credits
This course covers the treatment of deaf individuals, their education and legal status in Western cultures from early civilizations to the present day, touching on the political and philosophical forces which influenced this treatment. Introduced are basic methods of educating the deaf used today and the philosophical stance supporting each (particularly as they concern communication).
Psychological-Social Aspects of Deafness
3 Credits
Considers effects of prelingual and postlingual deafness or hearing impairment on the psychological and emotional development and adaptation of the individual to deafness. Presents a study of cognitive and linguistic development, personality, interpersonal behavior, social reactions, personal adjustment, and deaf culture. Also includes an introduction to counseling with deaf people.
Introduction to Audiology
3 Credits
A study of the anatomy of the ear, types and causes of hearing loss, hearing testing, and remediation techniques of persons with hearing impairments. The course also includes an introduction to hearing aids, their function, and limitations.
Electives (12-17 credit hours)
Admission Requirements
To be accepted into ECU’s B.A. in Human Services Counseling online program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a 2.25 GPA or higher
- If you are a transfer student, you must have completed 24 college credit hours with a retention GPA of 2.0 or higher. If you have fewer than 24 college credit hours, you will be required to submit your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores for consideration.
Note: CLEP or life experience will not be accepted for credit.
How to Apply
To apply, you must submit the following materials:
- Online application
- Official high school or college transcript from an accredited institution
- ACT/SAT scores
Have a question about this program or the admission process? Request a digital brochure and get connected to one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 124 credit hours | $306.84* | $38,048.16 |
| Total with transfer credits (up to 94)** | $9,205.20 | ||
*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $618.84 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees.
**Note: Transfer students must have completed at least 24 credit hours.
Fees and tuition subject to change.
Financial Aid
At ECU Online, we strive to ensure your education is as affordable as possible. Learn more about your options for financing your education by visiting our Financial Aid page.
View Financial AidMilitary Benefits
East Central University is a proud military-friendly school. Discover how your status as a U.S. military veteran or active-duty service member can help you earn your degree by visiting our Military & Veterans page.
View Military BenefitsNative American Students
Eligible Native American students can find financial aid programs, heritage scholarships, grants, and academic support services to help ensure their success at ECU.
View our Native American Students pageAre You the First in Your Family to Go to College?
At ECU, we recognize that “going first” can be difficult. We provide the extra financial support, scholarships, resources, services, and skills you need to succeed.
View our First-Generation College Students pageTransfer Students
If you’ve taken college-level courses elsewhere, you could save time and money earning your degree by transferring credits to ECU and may qualify for scholarships.
View our Transfer Students pageCareer Outlook
Human services is a rapidly growing field according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an estimated 23% increase in jobs by 2026. Those who have an educational background in this field are well on their way towards a meaningful and high-opportunity career.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor
Alcohol and drug addiction counselors help individuals suffering from substance abuse to get help and improve their lives. They often work in medical institutions, social work facilities and prisons. Students pursuing a concentration in rehabilitation are suited for this role.
Average annual salary: $38,122
Bereavement Coordinator
Bereavement coordinators assist terminally ill patients and their families by providing counseling services, handling paperwork and offering other forms of assistance. Students pursuing a concentration in counseling are particularly suited to this position.
Average annual salary: $47,633
Case Manager
Case managers guide and support individuals in ways that will help them improve their quality of life. Clients often include recovering addicts, ex-convicts, those experiencing poverty or the elderly. Students pursuing a concentration in aging are especially prepared for this career.
Average annual salary: $39,355
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We have three scholarships specifically dedicated to those who choose to study human services counseling:
- Richard E. Baumgartner Memorial Scholarship
- Higginbotham Family Scholarship
- Lowell E. Green Scholarship
Human services is a broad field that encompasses a variety of pathways that aim to meet human needs and improve the quality of life for others. You can work in this field as either a professional or paraprofessional and specialize in fields including mental health, substance abuse, family care, disabilities, youth services, aging and more.
This person-centered field allows for the prevention and mediation of the problems of living, particularly among the most vulnerable in society. When everyone has accessible, accountable and coordinated services, they are able to live more fulfilling, productive and healthy lives.