Human Services

The Human Services Department at the Metropolitan State College of Denver prepares students for careers in the helping professions: assisting individuals, couples, and families meet the challenges of living throughout the life cycle. The core curriculum offers courses in the theory and practice of mental health counseling, including applied behavioral analysis, small group dynamics, ethical and legal issues, psychopathology and the mental health clinician, and practicum and internship experiences where students apply the theory they have studied thus developing their application skills in human service work settings. Human Services’ six concentrations are based on a counseling and mental health services curriculum.

Our nationally recognized curriculum, approved by the Council of Standards in Human Service Education and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Colorado Department of Human Services, provides course work in assessment, prevention, and intervention of mental health concerns. Colorado State certification may be sought in addiction intervention theory and techniques as well as domestic violence counseling. Other specialized education programs include high-risk youth intervention, prevention, and counseling, and nonprofit administration principles. Multicultural issues in the delivery of human services are addressed throughout the curriculum noting in particular cultural diversity issues of race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, age, physical, and mental abilities in the delivery of human services. The core curriculum can be supplemented with a concentration in counseling and mental health services, high-risk youth, drug and alcohol counseling, domestic violence counseling, paramedic, or nonprofit organization administration. Field instruction at community agencies furthers textbook learning and provide networking opportunities for students.

Graduates with degrees in human services are qualified to work in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, addiction centers, nonprofit organizations, employee assistance programs, religious organizations, and social service agencies. Our program has generated an 87 percent employment rate for our graduates in careers directly related to the major. State certification in addictions studies or domestic violence is available to graduates. Over half of our graduates go on to complete graduate degrees and licensure or practice requirements in human services, marriage and family counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, social work, addiction studies, public administration, or other areas, including business and law. If graduate study is part of your career plans, please talk with an advisor about your options and necessary course work for entry into such programs.

The Center for Addiction Studies

The Center for Addiction Studies offers four programs:

a counselor training program in drugs, alcohol, and addictive behavior counseling (subject to ADAD CAC certification requirements)
a concentration in drug, alcohol and addictive behaviors
a counselor training program in domestic violence counseling (fulfilling state certification requirements)
a concentration in domestic violence counseling.

Individuals interested in these programs should contact the Center for Addiction Studies in the Department
of Human Services for further information at 303-556-2951.

The Center for Effective Interventions

The Center for Effective Interventions (CEI), formerly the Colorado MST Support Services Office, disseminates multisystemic therapy throughout Colorado.

The Center for High Risk Youth Studies

The Center for High Risk Youth Studies offers both a concentration for the human services degree and a certificate of completion program.

The Center for Nonprofit Organization Administration

The Center for Nonprofit Organization Administration offers both a concentration for the human services degree and a certificate of completion program.