The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Human Services prepares students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of community services settings. Students in the program learn the roles and functions of the human services professional, characteristics of human growth and development; characteristics of human services agencies; theories and skills of human services; and the basics skills related to program evaluation, grant writing, and fundraising. The program also includes ethical, legal, and multi-cultural issues as they relate to the responsibilities of the human services professional. Professional writing skills are stressed in all coursework to ensure that students understand the importance of documentation requirements in the human services field as related to such issues as legally defensible case notes and justification for service billing.
Graduates of the human services program are prepared to assist clients in coping successfully with a variety of developmental concerns and in solving problems resulting from personal, social, and environmental stress.
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Internship Overview
Step 1: Read handbook and understand internship requirements
Step 2: Submit application for internship semester
Step 3: Complete Internship Orientation in Canvas and search for internship placement
Step 4: Submit site and supervisor paperwork for approval
Internship Application Deadlines:
Fall internship: March 15th
Spring internship: July 15th
Summer internship: November 15th
Internship Forms:
Students are responsible for selecting and finalizing their own internship sites.
A directory of potential agencies can be found above, however students are not limited to those in the directory and are encouraged to search for nonprofits and other agencies of interest local to them.
Appropriate placements include group homes, homeless shelters, crisis centers, day programs with individuals with disabilities that warrant specific programs, social service agencies, community service boards, treatment centers for substance use disorder, probation and parole, and other support service-related agencies. Internships that are not appropriate for human services students include those in human resources, childcare, or school classrooms.
Students who have already completed an Associate's degree in HMSV with an internship, OR 2+ years of full-time experience in the field of human services can apply for a 100-hour reduction of required hours. Students who have already completed 5 years of full-time experience in the field of human services can submit a portfolio to be considered for 468 credit. Those students may reach out to the Office of Prior Learning Assessment
Step 1: Read handbook and understand internship requirements
Internship Requirements
The Human Services (HMSV) Internship is a 12-credit course designed as the culminating experience of the Human Services Program.
No courses are allowed to be taken concurrently with internship.
Internship is a 400 hour practical field experience, with at least 100 of those hours being direct client service hours.
Students applying for the Human Services internship must meet all of the conditions outlined below in order to qualify for internship:
* Senior status at Old Dominion University
* Successful completion of ALL course work (prior to beginning of internship) which includes general education, minor/cluster, HMSV, and elective courses. (REMINDER - you must have 120 credit hours to graduate in which Internship will be your last 12 credits)
* GPA in HMSV major of 2.0 or better and overall GPA overall of 2.0 or better
* Grade of C or better in HMSV 339, 341, 343W, and 368 (Note: a C- is not acceptable)
Internship placements must be approved by Internship Coordinator prior to beginning internship semester.
Students with a prior felony conviction are strongly encouraged to select a different major, as most agencies require background checks and those with a criminal record may not be able to complete an internship or find employment in the human services field post-graduation.
Step 2: Submit application for internship semester
Please note that the Verification of Internship Form, with your academic advisor's signature, must be uploaded with your application.
Step 3: Complete Internship Orientation in Canvas and search for internship placement
Students will be added to the Canvas Organization: HMSV Internship Orientation upon approval for internship semester.
The Internship Orientation is there, along with further guidance about searching and interviewing for internship placements.
Step 4: Submit site and supervisor paperwork for approval
This will include the Supervisor Qualification Form and the Internship Agreement Form, signed by the site supervisor and the student.
Submission Deadlines
Fall Internship: July 1st
Spring Internship: November 1st
Summer Internship: April 1st
Submission Instructions
Submit your site/supervisor forms for approval using this link, which can also be found in the Canvas Organization for HMSV Internship.
Internship Overview
Step 1: Read handbook and understand internship requirements
Step 2: Submit application for internship semester
Step 3: Complete Internship Orientation in Canvas and search for internship placement
Step 4: Submit site and supervisor paperwork for approval
Internship Application Deadlines:
Fall internship: March 15th
Spring internship: July 15th
Summer internship: November 15th
Internship Forms:
Students are responsible for selecting and finalizing their own internship sites.
A directory of potential agencies can be found above, however students are not limited to those in the directory and are encouraged to search for nonprofits and other agencies of interest local to them.
Appropriate placements include group homes, homeless shelters, crisis centers, day programs with individuals with disabilities that warrant specific programs, social service agencies, community service boards, treatment centers for substance use disorder, probation and parole, and other support service-related agencies. Internships that are not appropriate for human services students include those in human resources, childcare, or school classrooms.
Students who have already completed an Associate's degree in HMSV with an internship, OR 2+ years of full-time experience in the field of human services can apply for a 100-hour reduction of required hours. Students who have already completed 5 years of full-time experience in the field of human services can submit a portfolio to be considered for 468 credit. Those students may reach out to the Office of Prior Learning Assessment
Step 1: Read handbook and understand internship requirements
Internship Requirements
The Human Services (HMSV) Internship is a 12-credit course designed as the culminating experience of the Human Services Program.
No courses are allowed to be taken concurrently with internship.
Internship is a 400 hour practical field experience, with at least 100 of those hours being direct client service hours.
Students applying for the Human Services internship must meet all of the conditions outlined below in order to qualify for internship:
* Senior status at Old Dominion University
* Successful completion of ALL course work (prior to beginning of internship) which includes general education, minor/cluster, HMSV, and elective courses. (REMINDER - you must have 120 credit hours to graduate in which Internship will be your last 12 credits)
* GPA in HMSV major of 2.0 or better and overall GPA overall of 2.0 or better
* Grade of C or better in HMSV 339, 341, 343W, and 368 (Note: a C- is not acceptable)
Internship placements must be approved by Internship Coordinator prior to beginning internship semester.
Students with a prior felony conviction are strongly encouraged to select a different major, as most agencies require background checks and those with a criminal record may not be able to complete an internship or find employment in the human services field post-graduation.
Step 2: Submit application for internship semester
Please note that the Verification of Internship Form, with your academic advisor's signature, must be uploaded with your application.
Step 3: Complete Internship Orientation in Canvas and search for internship placement
Students will be added to the Canvas Organization: HMSV Internship Orientation upon approval for internship semester.
The Internship Orientation is there, along with further guidance about searching and interviewing for internship placements.
Step 4: Submit site and supervisor paperwork for approval
This will include the Supervisor Qualification Form and the Internship Agreement Form, signed by the site supervisor and the student.
Submission Deadlines
Fall Internship: July 1st
Spring Internship: November 1st
Summer Internship: April 1st
Submission Instructions
Submit your site/supervisor forms for approval using this link, which can also be found in the Canvas Organization for HMSV Internship.