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Counseling and Human Services Major

Program Overview

If you’re interested in a career providing individuals, families, and communities with human services, counseling, and social work, our counseling and human services major is a particularly good fit for you. 
 
The degree is highly marketable, with a demand in the workforce that is expected to grow exponentially for the next decade and beyond.

Our program is one of four bachelor-level programs in the Northeast accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education. This promotes the program’s delivery of the highest quality human service education in the nation. 

Through a combination of skill development, field work, internships and practice in counseling and human services, our program prepares graduates for work in a variety of settings.  As a student in the program, you’ll have the chance to design a program unique to your individual career goals through the various elective courses we offer and the minors and concentrations available across campus. If you're thinking about another major, you might consider a CHS minor. 

Upon completing the degree, you will be prepared for graduate studies in professional counseling, social work, human resources, and other areas or entry-level positions in the field of human services. You will also be eligible for a bachelor’s-level national credential – the Human Services Board-Certified Practitioner. 

The Curriculum

The 124-credit curriculum offers 58 credits from the major and cognate courses, along with several electives. Students can design a program of study to fit their individual career goals and aspirations. Students who choose to complete the B.S. program in the traditional form will take the following major courses.

View the Curriculum

Eligible students can also apply for entry into an accelerated B.S./M.S. program by March 1 of their third year. If you are accepted, as an undergraduate, you can take up to 12 graduate credits in one of our graduate counseling programs (Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling) that can count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. That accelerates the graduate degree process and significantly reduces your tuition costs.

We have incredibly supportive, competent, and fun people in the CHS Department, and once students discover our major, they often feel "at home."

Professor Paul Datti, Ph.D., program director

Putting Theory Into Practice

In addition to completing the course curriculum, you’ll also complete 80 hours of community-based learning and two internships that total 350 hours.  
 
This means that you will graduate with at least 430 hours of field work already completed. This not only gives you experience working with various populations, it also allows you to refine your career options and will be a significant asset on your resume. Most importantly, you’ll get to: 

  • put theory into practice
  • provide actual services under clinical supervision, and
  • make a difference in the community.

Nationally Recognized Faculty

Our faculty are researchers, practitioners, and educators. They serve in leadership positions in international, national, regional, state and local professional associations. They consistently conduct and present research at professional conferences and are published in top-tier scholarly journals and books.  
 
Some of our professors’ research expertise include:  
  • addictions
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • career development 
  • college athletes 
  • individuals with disabilities
  • LGBTQ populations
  • spirituality 

Dr. Paul Datti

Dr. Paul Datti directs the undergraduate program and ensures its continued accreditation, mentors and supports students, and consistently teaches courses at all levels to ensure continuous relationships with students.  He is a two-time recipient of the Provost's Excellence in Diversity in Teaching Award, a testament to his devotion to Jesuit education.

Dr. Lori Bruch

Dr. Lori Bruch is chair of the CHS Department. She regularly supervises internship experiences and enjoys mentoring future counseling and human services professionals. She is committed to the Jesuit ideals of cura personalis (care of the whole person) and magis (doing more for the greater good), which fosters students' transformative education.

Dr. Katherine Stefanelli 

Dr. Katherine Stefanelli is a core faculty member who teaches many of our undergraduate courses. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and her interests include guided meditation for stress reduction (particularly for college students). Committed to Jesuit education, Dr. Stefanelli is a student-centered teacher who uses her clinical expertise to bring theory to practice to life for students in the classroom.

Dr. Mary Troy

Dr. Mary Troy is a core faculty member who teaches many of our undergraduate courses. Her interests include career issues (particularly female career) and social justice and has presented at state and national conferences on these topics. Dr. Troy is passionate about helping students integrate their course work with real-world situations and has chaperoned students on national and international service trips. 

Prof. Geri Barber

Prof. Geri Barber directs the department’s Counselor Training Center and teaches undergraduate courses.  She effectively coordinates and manages clinical experiences for students and develops new programs for them to gain more experience. 

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