ETSU earns high marks for human services
Senior Ashley Dick, who graduated in December 2023, felt she had “something else to offer the world.”
“I have a heart for helping others and love working with people,” she added.
Sophomore Sydney Moore said, “I knew that I wanted to work with people … so I started
to look for programs that would help me do that.”
Those are just some of the reasons that students have chosen to major in human services
at East Tennessee State University, a vibrant program aimed at giving its majors an
exceptional background to work in a broad range of settings.
“A major in human services is not simply a career path, but a calling to make a significant
difference in the lives of individuals and communities,” said Dr. Phyllis Thompson,
chair of the department. “Students majoring in human services like the versatility
of the degree and find it is a good pathway for employment following graduation or
for pursuing graduate study.”
Many jobs are available to those who choose this career path.
For instance, a human services degree prepares students for jobs right out of college
working with children, teens, adults or elders in the helping professions of health
and well-being.
“In addition to our undergraduate major in human services, we have recently added
a concentration in child life. Child life specialists are trained professionals who work alongside physicians, nurses and the rest of the
clinical team throughout the child’s hospital stay,” said Dr. Mary Langenbrunner,
coordinator of the child life concentration in human services.
For those wanting to pursue graduate study, a human services degree is an excellent
foundation for a master’s degree or doctoral work in counseling, psychology, social
work, speech/language pathology, educational leadership and other fields, program
leaders said.
Graduates often go into counseling or social work – both booming fields that the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will grow at 18% and 7%, respectively, through 2032, faster than the average
for other jobs in the U.S.
“Because our program equips students with essential skills, such as effective communication,
empathy and problem solving, our graduates may find employment in many fields,” said
Thompson. “And our suspicion is that many current and potential students simply don’t
know about all human services has to offer.”
From fall 2021 through summer 2022, 97% of recent graduates reported being satisfied
or very satisfied with their human services education.
Others have taken notice. Intelligent.com highly rated Human Services at ETSU.
The professors are “highly knowledgeable in the field,” according to Dick, who plans to enroll in a graduate program.
“Dr. Michelle Hurley and Dr. Bill Garris have taught me so much about the field and
have made me feel capable and excited about the human services profession,” added
Moore.
Senior Nely Giudici, who already has a job with Baya Health in North Carolina, has
made use of the award-winning online program.
Giudici is a member engagement coordinator with the organization, meaning she attends
community events to promote health and wellness eservices, gives presentations and
works closely with stakeholders interested in providing health care services to those
with mental health concerns, substance use disorders and more.
“The Human Services Program has the best instructors I’ve ever had,” she said. “Everyone
has been so supportive during my time here at ETSU.”
Mylan Hutchins, a graduate student from Chattanooga who helps who helps lead the Community
Counseling Clinic in the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development, earned
a bachelor’s degree in human services.
“The Human Services Program helped prepare me for my journey into the counseling field
by providing me the tools to help improve the mental, physical and well-being of others,”
said Hutchins.
Learn more Human Services here.
“The Human Services Program matches the mission of ETSU perfectly – to improve the
quality of life for the people of this region and beyond,” said Thompson. “I encourage
anyone interested to please reach out to us.”
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