Are you compassionate and empathetic? Do you want a career working with children, adults and families in your community to promote mental health and equity? Do you want to devote your career to ensuring those with communication difficulties not only overcome barriers to participating in life but also thrive within their communities? The programs in the University of Central Missouri’s Department of Human Services will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be a strong advocate for those most in need.
No matter which program you enter in the Department of Human Services, you’ll benefit from valuable real-world experience in clinics, agencies and organizations both on campus and in the community. At UCM, you’ll graduate with confidence and experience — and a resume that will impress any employer or graduate program.
Mission of the Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services at UCM prepares and supports students to become ethical professionals working with diverse populations to actively create an environment of inclusivity. The department promotes lifelong learning and advocacy for community needs and populations through the faculty’s commitment to rigorous academics and practical application. Students are trained to provide effective, evidence-based services to individuals, families and communities for improved quality of life.
Career-focused curriculum
When you join one of the programs in the Department of Human Services, you’ll be supported by faculty mentors who have years of experience working as certified professionals in their respective fields. Thanks to our small class sizes, you’ll benefit from working closely with faculty and learning the practical skills that will be necessary every day on the job.
UCM’s Department of Human Services programs stand out from those at other universities because of our focus on hands-on learning, both in and outside the classroom. Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, you’ll graduate with dozens or even hundreds of hours working with clients and making positive impacts in the community. This experience will show potential employers your wealth of knowledge and dedication to the field.
Regardless of your academic or career goals, our programs will prepare you to excel in whatever service-related path you choose. Many of our programs are accredited by national organizations and associations, so you can be confident your degree from UCM will be recognized and respected.
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Hours of real-world work experience
Individual attention and support
Remarkable job placement rates
Fully accredited programs
Flexible course delivery
Committed to equity and social justice
Follow your passion for serving others in a program designed around students and career preparation. Each of our programs has something unique to offer every student.
Want to work with children and adults who suffer from issues with communication, hearing, swallowing, fluency or memory? In UCM’s Communication Disorders programs, you’ll work in real clinics helping patients improve their communication and their quality of life. You’ll graduate prepared to stand out on the job market and excel throughout your career. The graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
If you’re interested in working with families as a program manager or a marriage and family therapist, our Human Development and Family Science graduate programs are perfect for you. We offer hundreds of hours of practical experience in our on-campus clinic, where you can work with children and adults alike. Earn credit while building a robust resume and serving your community. This program includes a Marriage and Family Therapy option.
Dedicating your career to helping others as a social worker is no light decision. That’s why you’ll spend 40 hours in a social service agency when you first start your college journey in UCM’s Social Work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. You’ll learn how it’s run and what life as a social worker is like — gaining the insight to make sure that becoming a social worker is the right path for you. By the time you graduate, you’ll have spent 480 hours in a social work agency using your academic knowledge and skills to provide quality services to others.