Social Work and Human Services Resources

Prepare for your social work degree with our available tools and services. Here you'll find essential information and support services tailored to your academic needs, including advising, academic policies, field education, graduation survey reports, funding opportunities, and much more!

  • For assistance, contact an Advisor in the Advising Center
  • Undergraduate Grade Appeal Policy

    Graduate Grade Appeal Policy

    Please note that KSU policy requires that grade appeals must be submitted to the Department Chair within 20 business days after the first day of classes of the next academic term after the academic term in which the final grade was awarded. 

    To submit a grade appeal, please download and complete the department's grade appeal form, then attach the completed form and any relevant documentation and submit them in an e-mail to the department chair.

  • The Wellstar College provides an open computer lab located in HS 3306. Computer lab hours vary, but during Fall and Spring semesters, the lab generally is open Monday–Thursday from 10:00 am–5:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am–2:00 pm. During the Summer semester, the lab is closed; however, other computer labs are open on campus such as in the Burruss Building. 
  • The Department of Career Planning & Development posts college data collected from graduation surveys on their website.

  • Human Services: Making a Difference in People's Lives
    The field of Human Services is a broadly defined one, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations. The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery.

    Where Human Service Workers Work
    Working conditions vary. Human services workers in social service agencies (e.g., Division of Family and Children's Services) generally spend part of the time in the office and the rest of the time in the field. Most work a 40-hour week. Some evening and weekend work may be necessary, but compensatory time off is usually granted.

    Human services workers in community-based settings (e.g., Homeless Shelters)move around a great deal in the course of a workweek. They may be inside one day and outdoors on a field visit the next. They, too, work a standard 40-hour week.

    Human services workers in residential settings (e.g., Substance Abuse Treatment Centers) generally work in shifts. Because residents of group homes need supervision in the evening and at night, 7 days a week, evening and weekend hours are required.

    Despite differences in what they are called and what they do, human services workers generally perform under the direction of professional staff. Those employed in mental health settings, for example, may be assigned to assist a treatment team made up of social workers, psychologists, and other human services professionals. The amount of responsibility these workers assume and the degree of supervision they receive vary a great deal. Some workers are on their own most of the time and have little direct supervision; others work under close direction.

    Human services workers in community, residential care, or public and social services settings provide direct services such as leading a group, organizing an activity, or offering individual counseling. They may handle some administrative support tasks, too. Specific job duties reflect organizational policy and staffing patterns, as well as the worker's educational preparation and experience.

    Because so many human services jobs involve direct contact with people who are impaired and therefore vulnerable to exploitation, employers try to be selective in hiring. Applicants are screened for appropriate personal qualifications. Relevant academic preparation is generally required, and volunteer or work experience is preferred.

    Examples of Occupational Titles of Human Service Workers

    Case Worker

    Family Support Worker

    Youth Worker

    Social Service Liaison

    Residential Counselor

    Behavioral Management Aide

    Case Management Aide

    Eligibility Counselor

    Alcohol Counselor

    Adult Day Care Worker

    Drug Abuse Counselor

    Life Skills Instructor

    Client Advocate

    Neighborhood Worker

    Social Service Aide

    Group Activities Aide

    Social Service Technician

    Therapeutic Assistant

    Probation Officer

    Case Monitor Parole Officer

    Child AdvocateGerontology Aide

    Juvenile Court Liaison

    Home Health Aide

    Group Home Worker

    Child Abuse Worker

    Crisis Intervention Counselor

    Mental Health Aide

    Community Organizer

    Intake Interviewer

    Community Outreach Worker

    Social Work Assistant

    Community Action Worker

    Psychological Aide

    Halfway House Counselor

    Assistant Case Manager

    Rehabilitation Case Worker

    Residential Manager

    For more information on the Human Services Profession, please visit: 

    The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS)

    For more information on careers in the Human Services Profession, please visit The Career Services Center at KSU.

  • What is a social worker?
    A social worker is an individual who is interested in working with people and wants to make a difference on a variety of levels. Those in the social work profession strive to make things better in the world and assist individuals, families, and their communities. The social work profession is over 100 years old and has its own body of knowledge, ethics, and practice standards. All of these aspects are in place to help guide social workers in their efforts and distinguish social work from other service oriented professions. 

    What do social workers do?
    Social workers empower individuals to function at the optimal level within their environment.  In preparation for the future, they assist these individuals by providing skills to overcome challenges and improve their lives. They help connect individuals with resources, engage in research to investigate social issues, and create programs to address problems. Social workers counsel individuals and groups by facilitating communication. Some of the recurring issues that social workers address include poverty, stress, discrimination, addiction, abuse, physical and mental illness, unemployment, divorce, disability, and death.  Social workers strive to prevent these obstacles from negatively impacting individuals and communities.

    What types of job titles do they hold and in what settings do they work?
    The three main types of social workers include: child, family, and school social workers; medical and public health social workers; and mental health and Addiction Treatment Services social workers. Managers, supervisors, administrators, educators, therapists, and researchers are just a few of the job titles held by social workers. They can also be found working at different levels of the government and even serving as political leaders. Some of the most prevalent settings that social workers can be found are hospitals, schools, universities, police departments, courts, senior centers, public social agencies, veterans’ hospitals, prisons, non profit agencies, private practices, and military bases.

    For more information on careers in the Social Work Profession, please visit The Career Services Center at KSU.