HUM Human Services Courses at Global Campus

In this case study-based course on social determinants of human services and aspects of diversity, students will examine the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age in varying US and global social systems and demographics. Students will explore social constructs, correlates of behavior, impact of social and community structure on status, and disparities within diverse communities. Students will apply social and behavioral theories of human service resources, strategies, methods, ethics, and public policy.

Students will apply advanced critical thinking skills in this course designed to expose them to a broad range of essential organizational operations and extend students’ existing knowledge base on the workings of human services administration. In addition to exploration of volunteer recruitment, retention and management, marketing, cross-disciplinary regulations, development, and implementation of policy, change management, fund-raising, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations will be studied. The critical focus will apply to leadership theories and organizational behavior aimed at positions of leadership within an organization.

This financial and grant management course critically examines and identifies various accounting and financial knowledge related to the establishment and monitoring of financial strategies, policies, and tools within a government or private human services organization or service. In addition, financial management roles and responsibilities, advanced grant writing principles and techniques, and ethical financial practices and accountability will be explored and developed.

This practical program review and evaluation course for the human services discipline will employ a hands-on approach ultimately culminating in a hypothetical program evaluation and service-level improvement by completing weekly process goals, to include analysis of a completed needs assessment survey. The course will provide students with all materials needed in order to evaluate the complex program presented and complete tasks to ultimately modify it by the end of the term.

This course demonstrates the value of evidence-based practice as an integral part of formulating human services research and policy. Course work examines the current definition of evidence-based policy and approaches to move the field forward. The course provides an evaluation of evidence-based literature, including case study examples of the application of evidence-based practices in human services. The course also examines actions to further evidence-based policy, including preparing and communicating data more effectively, using existing analytic tools, conducting policy surveillance, and tracking outcomes with different types of evidence.

This advanced seminar examines all recognized methods of fund raising, forecasting fund raising income, and balancing administrative and fundraising expenses in the short term with longer term programmatic and mission goals. Topics include direct mail, planned giving, special events, corporate giving, and foundation grant writing.

Non-profit organizations and their governance, depend heavily on sound working relationships among staff, especially executive staff, volunteer officers, and board members. This course explores common issues and concerns related to this governance, especially succession planning, assessing the ability of potential leaders, executive development, and engaging volunteers during and between board meetings.

This required core course examines cutting edge trends in the formation and execution of human services policy in public and private organizations. Selected topics include the current human services climate, forces driving policy formation and execution, and issues related to the future of human services policy. The topics selected will connect human service policy with culture, change theory, existing organizational strategies, and the process of change in future directions. Effective mechanisms to influence policy are emphasized. Major case study examples of human services policy are included in the learning process. Students will also engage in activities intended to help prepare them for the doctoral journey.

This course examines the theories and research underlying the political, economic, and social structures related to community groups and organizations within contemporary society. Students analyze methods of creating communities and social organizations that empower and support individuals to work together to initiate change, with or without the assistance of outside advocacy. Students develop skills to create and assess community action plans, incorporate persuasive language into client advocacy, and organize political action groups to seek opportunities for themselves and others. There is a focus on social and economic justice within the context of human services' ethics that supports and sustains the well-being of individuals and communities, especially among diverse populations.

This course will provide students with a comprehensive step-by-step approach to performance and quality management in human service organizations that provide services to underserved communities. Students will investigate the quality of service delivery, assess risks, and identify quality/outcome indicators associated with the efficacy of the programs provided by human service organizations. Additional focus will be placed on the areas of methodological, ethical, political, and organizational foundations that enable students to create a performance and management plan to improve service delivery that is supported by research evidence that stakeholders may use to enhance their programs’ effectiveness.