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Human Services

Available as a major or minor

Human Services Studies is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses in a wide range of fields: sociology, psychology, public health, disabilities studies, public policy, business, anthropology, and criminal justice.  

Through coursework, internships, and engagement with community partners, students learn strategic practices in child advocacy, victim support, case management, data collection and analysis, program assessment, and human services administration.

A bachelor's degree in human services prepares students to enter fields such as behavioral health, disability support, social services, assisted living, hospice, the criminal and juvenile justice systems, child and family services, addiction and recovery, or crisis management. Students who seek to continue their education are also prepared to enter future graduate programs in human services and related fields such as social work and counseling.  

Professor Mehotra teaching in class

Courses and Curriculum

Sample Course Offerings:

Crisis Intervention and Case Management
Behavioral and Mental Health
Developmental Psychology

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Learn by Doing

Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program at Roanoke County Jail

Dr. Ball inside-out classDr. Daisy Ball, assistant professor of criminal justice, launched an Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program class at Roanoke College. Inside-Out is a unique international educational program that brings traditional college students (“outsiders”) together for semester-long learning with incarcerated individuals (“insiders”). Roanoke College’s program is one of only a handful of Inside-Out programs in Virginia.

The Roanoke College/Roanoke County Jail course meets once a week, and all students who complete the course receive one course credit. Inside-Out’s mission is to foster social change through transformative education. The program exposes traditional college students to the realities of incarceration, while exposing inmates to academic content and pro-social interactions with college students.

“Involvement in the Inside-Out program is a highly educational and memorable experience for all involved,” Ball said. “ This program epitomizes Roanoke College’s commitment to both experiential learning and community involvement.”

Careers & Outcomes

Jobs and Careers in Human Services

Many students who study human services are “helpers” who are invested in positively impacting people and communities. These are the types of careers that human services majors pursue:

  • Social Work
  • Justice System - probation officers, juvenile detention workers, case workers
  • Mental Health and Wellness - school counseling, crisis intervention, behavioral health
  • Non-profit Sector

Faculty

Human Services Faculty

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News

Interested in studying human services at Roanoke College?

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Human Services Studies is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses in a wide range of fields: sociology, psychology, public health, disabilities studies, public policy, business, anthropology, and criminal justice.  

Through coursework, internships, and engagement with community partners, students learn strategic practices in child advocacy, victim support, case management, data collection and analysis, program assessment, and human services administration. A bachelor's degree in human services prepares students to enter fields such as behavioral health, disability support, social services, assisted living, hospice, the criminal and juvenile justice systems, child and family services, addiction and recovery, or crisis management. Students who seek to continue their education are also prepared to enter future graduate programs in human services and related fields such as social work and counseling.  

We offer a major in Human Services.