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NLU - Human Services Careers

Human Services Careers

A Bachelor of Arts in Human Services prepares graduates for a variety of rewarding careers in organizations that provide services and support to communities, families and individuals in need. Graduates with degrees in human services often pursue careers at social service agencies, rehabilitation clinics and community health centers.

The job outlook for human services graduates is promising: The number of jobs for social and human services workers is projected to increase 11 percent between 2014 and 2024, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.1 This growth is due in part to the increasing size of the aging population and the increasing demand for substance abuse and mental health treatment.

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Social Service Worker

Social service workers help families and individuals cope with tough times and work through difficult issues. A social service worker often serves as part of the team along with therapists, MSWs and other professionals to help individuals address serious problems or find the social services they need.2 Many social service workers are employed by nonprofit organizations or by state and local governments. Depending on where a social service worker is employed and what kind of clients they see, some of their specific duties may include:3

  • Maintaining records and preparing reports
  • Visiting individuals or participating in group sessions
  • Providing information about available services and benefits
  • Interviewing individuals or families and preparing summary reports about the social, educational, institutional, criminal or drug history of the family or individual
  • Advising clients on issues such as child care, money management, food stamps, housekeeping, etc.
  • Helping to locate emergency housing for individuals

Residential Counselor

Residential counselors work with organizations like rehabilitation centers, group homes, homeless shelters and residential care facilities to help supervise groups of participants or clients in a structured environment.4 Residential counselors' specific job duties will depend on the organization they work for, but typically involve:5

  • Overseeing the day-to-day activities at a shelter or other facility
  • Ensuring the safety of participants and clients involved in counseling programs
  • Planning and supervising recreational activities for participants
  • Assisting with client transportation
  • Addressing client needs and concerns
  • Maintaining records of the client's progress
  • Helping clients find additional resources

Other Human Services Careers

Graduates with a B.A. in Human Services can pursue a wide range of career choices, including:

  • Case manager
  • Child care worker
  • Community outreach worker
  • Community support worker
  • Gerontology case worker
  • Life skills counselor
  • Residential counselor
  • Social service worker

Learn More About Human Services

Source References [+]
  1. "Social and Human Service Assistants." BLS.gov. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm
  2. "Social and Human Service Assistants." BLS.gov. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm
  3. "Social and Human Service Assistants." MyPlan.com. http://www.myplan.com/careers/social-and-human-service-assistants/description-21-1093.00.html
  4. Imani, Faizah. "The Main Functions of the Residential Counselor." Cron.com. http://work.chron.com/main-functions-residential-counselor-13709.html
  5. Imani, Faizah. "The Main Functions of the Residential Counselor." Cron.com. http://work.chron.com/main-functions-residential-counselor-13709.html
Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    (888) 658.8632
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  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    (888) 658.8632
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  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    (888) 658.8632
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  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    (888) 658.8632
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  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    (888) 658.8632
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  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of Tampa's major business districts, NLU's Florida Regional Center serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to its classrooms, the National Louis University Tampa Regional Center features a computer lab, student lounges, and conference room.

    5110 Sunforest Drive, Suite 102
    Tampa, FL 33634
    (800) 366.6581
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