Health and Human Services Professionals

While health and human services professions include a broad range of careers in a variety of work environments, they all provide a valuable public service.  The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) defines the field of human services as “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.” 

Services are designed to meet the most basic needs of a community and provide care for individuals and families, assistance for social services when required, and work to prevent and solve problems.  As a professional, you will work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, government agencies, halfway houses and group homes and private practices.  Jobs include rewarding careers in nursing, health administration, social work, occupational or physical therapy and drug counseling, among others.  

As it is a service oriented profession, it is important that anyone considering a career in the field have a real desire to help others. You need to be a patient, understanding person who has good communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility.  The area you work in will depend on the educational path you chose.   

For those interested in a career in the field, the employment outlook is continuing to grow.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that jobs such as social workers, rehabilitation counselors, marriage and family therapists and health educators are among the health and human services careers that are expected to see better than average employment growth in 2012 through 2022.  

At GSU, our College of Health and Human Services includes the following seven departments:  Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health; Communication Disorders; Health Administration; Nursing; Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Social Work.  Please see our website for information on all of our programs.   

Sources:

nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services

publichealthonline.org/human-services/

 

If your passion is to make someone’s life better, the degrees and certificates we offer in the College of Health and Human Services are your perfect fit.   Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top universities in Illinois.