Welcome!
I look forward to serving as your academic advisor throughout your studies in the human services major. As your academic advisor, I am available to:
-- Help you sequence courses in the Human Services major so you graduate on time (typically through completion of a
Plan of Study, which will serve as your road map for courses to enroll in during your time in the major).
-- Serve as your advocate, when needed.
-- Direct you to appropriate university resources.
-- Discuss the possibility of completing an academic minor or double major and help you connect with advisors in
those departments.
-- Discuss extracurricular opportunities such as international study and research opportunities.
-- Help inform your decision about graduate study options
During Spring I hold drop-in office hours on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If you are not available during those hours, email me at [email protected] to schedule an appointment. I am also available to answer questions by phone or meet via skype. Students generally meet with an academic advisor once per quarter.
Our program coordinator, Misti Williams, is also available to answer general advising questions related to quarterly registration, course prerequisites, and graduation credit evaluations. Misti can also direct you to university resources. She can be reached at [email protected].
Other Advising/Counseling Resources:
During quarters that you are enrolled in practicum or internship, I encourage you to maintain a close working relationship with your university internship instructor. Your university internship instructor can help you identify appropriate field placements, discuss career possibilities, and give you feedback on issues related to professional and skill development. Additionally, if you have general questions about career opportunities I encourage you to connect with the WWU Career Services Center. If you require personal counseling or experience a life crisis, staff in the WWU Counseling Center are on call 24 hours per day.
Plan of Study– You will create a 2-year plan to move through the Human Services major and elective coursework. Use this form to begin a draft of your 2-year plan and then meet with me to finalize. Important points to remember when completing the Plan of Study include:
1. Complete Applied Research Methods (HSP 385) in your first year in the major since it is a prerequisite for Program
Planning and Evaluation (HSP 485) taken during the second year.
2. Complete Interviewing For Human Services (HSP 325) and Case Management and Interventions (HSP 345) early in
the major since these courses will serve as a foundation for your work in practica and internships.
3. Core classes are taken in sequence: Junior Year = HSP 301, 303, 305; Senior Year = 402, 404, 406.
4. Introduction to Portfolio Learning (HSP 304) should be taken in the first quarter of the major and Capstone Portfolio
(HSP 495) should be taken near the final quarter of the major.
5. HSP 495 is traditionally only offered spring quarter.
Typical Plan: While there is some flexibility, a typical six-quarter Plan of Study (for our Campus-based site) might proceed as follows:
First Quarter (12 credits): HSP 302/304, HSP 301, HSP 325;
Second Quarter (16 credits): HSP 303, HSP 340, HSP 345, HSP 315;
Third Quarter (12 credits): HSP 305, HSP 341, HSP 385;
Fourth Quarter (12 credits): HSP 402, HSP 440, HSP 435;
Fifth Quarter (12 credits): HSP 404, HSP 440, HSP 485;
Sixth Quarter (12 credits): HSP 406, HSP 495, HSP 455.
Course Schedules and List of Textbooks – All courses for the year are listed here. Also, required textbooks are posted on this same page so you can search for books at the lowest prices.
Adding or Dropping a Class – Make sure to complete this form, and to meet university deadlines when adding or dropping classes.
Withdrawing from a Class - It is possible to withdraw from a class after the drop/add deadline in the event of illness, hardship, or emergency. Contact the
WWU Office of Student Life for details.
Requesting a Letter of Reference – Federal law requires that you give permission for faculty to write letters or to serve as a reference on your behalf. Complete this form to simplify the process. Also -- keep in mind that faculty members maintain extremely busy schedules. It is very helpful if you allow them ample time to complete ant reference letters, and it is good protocol to ask only those whom you feel can truly provide a reference based on solid knowledge/opinion of your strengths as a prospective graduate student or employee. Note: it is not uncommon for people from whom you request a letter of support to ask you for additional information, such as a statement of intent (why you want the job, or want to pursue a particular line of study, etc.), a resume, or other supporting documents/materials to help her/him write a substantial and meaningful letter. Strong letters of reference are very valuable. A thoughtful and substantive letter may take several hours for someone to write. Please keep this in mind as you solicit letters of reference. It is easy to overlook or underestimate the amount of , someone may put into crafting need meaningful letter on your behalf.
Taking an Independent Study Course – It is possible to study a topic on your own through directed readings. First, locate a faculty supervisor who is interested and available to supervise your project. Then complete this form and work with Misti to register for either HSP 300 or HSP 400. All arrangements must be made the quarter before the independent study begins. I suggest doing a bit of work before soliciting the support the professor for an independent study. it is good practice to do a bit of research on the areas of interest for various faculty members in order to select someone new seems to have a line of interest that is related to what it is you hope to study in an independent course. Independent studies can be a meaningful way to make elective credits you may need. this can be a rewarding way to gain deeper insights and knowledge around specific topics that you are interested in, part can be used to strategically provide yourself with a more specialized consideration in a particular area of the field.
Requesting a Change in Academic Advisor – If there is a faculty member who is a good match with your interests talk with that faculty member and request an advisor switch, complete this form and turn in to Misti in the program office.
Advising Tips:
Graduating from WWU: While the Human Services major is 76 credits, students are required to complete a total of 180 credits to graduate with a BA from WWU. You may need to take additional elective coursework above and beyond requirements necessary to complete the human services major. I have access to your academic transcript and will review this information with you when we meet. If you would prefer to monitor your own progress towards graduation, it is possible to do this by completing an online degree evaluation.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Know your rights and responsibilities. These are outlined in the WWU Catalog and pertain to such issues as academic grievances, academic honesty and plagiarism, academic warning and probation, and copyright law. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about these policies.
Academic and Professional Expectations: The Human Services Program is unique to many college and university programs because we require students to meet both academic and professional performance standards during their time in the major. If you have any questions about Essential Functions requirements don’t hesitate to ask.
CSHSE Standards: Familiarize yourself with the CSHSE Standards (National Standards for a Bacclaureate Degree in Human Services) and save all of your course assignments, syllabi, and field study paperwork (learning contracts, evaluations, etc…) so that you can demonstrate that you meet CSHSE standards prior to graduation. Maintain back-up electronic copies of all materials. This will make your life much easier when you arrive in Capstone Portfolio (HSP 495).
Working with Faculty: Faculty in the Human Services Program are amazing individuals who, in addition to serving as your course instructors, are actively engaged in scholarship and service. Consider joining one or more faculty on a research project. If you plan to attend graduate school this kind of experience is quite valuable. Information about each faculty member’s scholarly interests and areas of expertise is available on the Human Services faculty/staff page.
I look forward to serving as your academic advisor throughout your studies in the human services major. As your academic advisor, I am available to:
-- Help you sequence courses in the Human Services major so you graduate on time (typically through completion of a
Plan of Study, which will serve as your road map for courses to enroll in during your time in the major).
-- Serve as your advocate, when needed.
-- Direct you to appropriate university resources.
-- Discuss the possibility of completing an academic minor or double major and help you connect with advisors in
those departments.
-- Discuss extracurricular opportunities such as international study and research opportunities.
-- Help inform your decision about graduate study options
During Spring I hold drop-in office hours on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If you are not available during those hours, email me at [email protected] to schedule an appointment. I am also available to answer questions by phone or meet via skype. Students generally meet with an academic advisor once per quarter.
Our program coordinator, Misti Williams, is also available to answer general advising questions related to quarterly registration, course prerequisites, and graduation credit evaluations. Misti can also direct you to university resources. She can be reached at [email protected].
Other Advising/Counseling Resources:
During quarters that you are enrolled in practicum or internship, I encourage you to maintain a close working relationship with your university internship instructor. Your university internship instructor can help you identify appropriate field placements, discuss career possibilities, and give you feedback on issues related to professional and skill development. Additionally, if you have general questions about career opportunities I encourage you to connect with the WWU Career Services Center. If you require personal counseling or experience a life crisis, staff in the WWU Counseling Center are on call 24 hours per day.
Plan of Study– You will create a 2-year plan to move through the Human Services major and elective coursework. Use this form to begin a draft of your 2-year plan and then meet with me to finalize. Important points to remember when completing the Plan of Study include:
1. Complete Applied Research Methods (HSP 385) in your first year in the major since it is a prerequisite for Program
Planning and Evaluation (HSP 485) taken during the second year.
2. Complete Interviewing For Human Services (HSP 325) and Case Management and Interventions (HSP 345) early in
the major since these courses will serve as a foundation for your work in practica and internships.
3. Core classes are taken in sequence: Junior Year = HSP 301, 303, 305; Senior Year = 402, 404, 406.
4. Introduction to Portfolio Learning (HSP 304) should be taken in the first quarter of the major and Capstone Portfolio
(HSP 495) should be taken near the final quarter of the major.
5. HSP 495 is traditionally only offered spring quarter.
Typical Plan: While there is some flexibility, a typical six-quarter Plan of Study (for our Campus-based site) might proceed as follows:
First Quarter (12 credits): HSP 302/304, HSP 301, HSP 325;
Second Quarter (16 credits): HSP 303, HSP 340, HSP 345, HSP 315;
Third Quarter (12 credits): HSP 305, HSP 341, HSP 385;
Fourth Quarter (12 credits): HSP 402, HSP 440, HSP 435;
Fifth Quarter (12 credits): HSP 404, HSP 440, HSP 485;
Sixth Quarter (12 credits): HSP 406, HSP 495, HSP 455.
Course Schedules and List of Textbooks – All courses for the year are listed here. Also, required textbooks are posted on this same page so you can search for books at the lowest prices.
Adding or Dropping a Class – Make sure to complete this form, and to meet university deadlines when adding or dropping classes.
Withdrawing from a Class - It is possible to withdraw from a class after the drop/add deadline in the event of illness, hardship, or emergency. Contact the
WWU Office of Student Life for details.
Requesting a Letter of Reference – Federal law requires that you give permission for faculty to write letters or to serve as a reference on your behalf. Complete this form to simplify the process. Also -- keep in mind that faculty members maintain extremely busy schedules. It is very helpful if you allow them ample time to complete ant reference letters, and it is good protocol to ask only those whom you feel can truly provide a reference based on solid knowledge/opinion of your strengths as a prospective graduate student or employee. Note: it is not uncommon for people from whom you request a letter of support to ask you for additional information, such as a statement of intent (why you want the job, or want to pursue a particular line of study, etc.), a resume, or other supporting documents/materials to help her/him write a substantial and meaningful letter. Strong letters of reference are very valuable. A thoughtful and substantive letter may take several hours for someone to write. Please keep this in mind as you solicit letters of reference. It is easy to overlook or underestimate the amount of , someone may put into crafting need meaningful letter on your behalf.
Taking an Independent Study Course – It is possible to study a topic on your own through directed readings. First, locate a faculty supervisor who is interested and available to supervise your project. Then complete this form and work with Misti to register for either HSP 300 or HSP 400. All arrangements must be made the quarter before the independent study begins. I suggest doing a bit of work before soliciting the support the professor for an independent study. it is good practice to do a bit of research on the areas of interest for various faculty members in order to select someone new seems to have a line of interest that is related to what it is you hope to study in an independent course. Independent studies can be a meaningful way to make elective credits you may need. this can be a rewarding way to gain deeper insights and knowledge around specific topics that you are interested in, part can be used to strategically provide yourself with a more specialized consideration in a particular area of the field.
Requesting a Change in Academic Advisor – If there is a faculty member who is a good match with your interests talk with that faculty member and request an advisor switch, complete this form and turn in to Misti in the program office.
Advising Tips:
Graduating from WWU: While the Human Services major is 76 credits, students are required to complete a total of 180 credits to graduate with a BA from WWU. You may need to take additional elective coursework above and beyond requirements necessary to complete the human services major. I have access to your academic transcript and will review this information with you when we meet. If you would prefer to monitor your own progress towards graduation, it is possible to do this by completing an online degree evaluation.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Know your rights and responsibilities. These are outlined in the WWU Catalog and pertain to such issues as academic grievances, academic honesty and plagiarism, academic warning and probation, and copyright law. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about these policies.
Academic and Professional Expectations: The Human Services Program is unique to many college and university programs because we require students to meet both academic and professional performance standards during their time in the major. If you have any questions about Essential Functions requirements don’t hesitate to ask.
CSHSE Standards: Familiarize yourself with the CSHSE Standards (National Standards for a Bacclaureate Degree in Human Services) and save all of your course assignments, syllabi, and field study paperwork (learning contracts, evaluations, etc…) so that you can demonstrate that you meet CSHSE standards prior to graduation. Maintain back-up electronic copies of all materials. This will make your life much easier when you arrive in Capstone Portfolio (HSP 495).
Working with Faculty: Faculty in the Human Services Program are amazing individuals who, in addition to serving as your course instructors, are actively engaged in scholarship and service. Consider joining one or more faculty on a research project. If you plan to attend graduate school this kind of experience is quite valuable. Information about each faculty member’s scholarly interests and areas of expertise is available on the Human Services faculty/staff page.
Field Studies (Practica and Internships)
A major component of the Human Services major is our attention to providing students opportunity to engage in meaningful field work. This is done in a number of ways including three quarters of internship, working at least 120 hours in the field, or an average of 12 hours a week for three different quarters. Students are prepared for their time in the field by taking the required practicum course that provides an overview of expectations for professional behavior and expectations in the workforce. Students are responsible for locating their own internships. While students are supported by faculty and staff, the field studies elements in our curriculum are very student driven. I have worked with two students independently to create a website that will support other students pursuits of field placements. The field studies website can be reached here. For additional information related to organizations that focus on cultural responsibility, please explore this website created by another Human Services student in Spring 2013 as part of her Capstone.