Social Work & Human Services Student Resources

  • For assistance, contact an Advisor in the Advising Center
  • KSU Student Codes of Conduct
  • FERPA—Students
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    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

  • 2015 MSW Alumni Data
  • National Human Services

  • 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.

  • Honor Societies:
    Tau Upsilon Alpha Honor Society
    Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society

  • Federal Student Aid

    Federal Student Aid—Avoiding Loan Scams

    Student Loan Debt—Facts & Figures

    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—Should I Consolidate?

    What is Student Loan Forgiveness?

    National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

    Public Service Loan Forgiveness

    Indian Health Service (HIS) Loan Repayment Program

    Army National Guard Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Social Workers

    Income-based Repayment Resources

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