Health and Human Relations
Those interested in serving the public in an industry that supports fundamental human rights may pursue studies in health and human relations. Students will build a vast knowledge base necessary to be competitive in a variety of areas that provide assistance to community needs.
Health Services (B.P.S.)
Students following guidelines for Health Services are interested in the helping professions.
This program is offered both on campus and fully online and will prepare students
for a wide range of health care positions in hospitals, health departments, health
agencies, research facilities, schools and industry. This program is also for experienced
health care professionals who have completed non-baccalaureate programs in health
care specialties such as medical laboratory technology, respiratory therapy, radiological
technology, and nursing who will build upon their training and experience by taking
courses in such areas as business practice, interpersonal skills, policy, risk management,
social context of health care, and financial management.
Students in Human Services are expected to develop a philosophical orientation to the human condition; to enlarge their understanding of social structures, values and norms; to study human growth and development; and to become informed about social change and social and bureaucratic organization. Students in Human Services will take courses from such departments as Counseling and Personnel Services, Sociology and Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, Management, and Special Education.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, (B.P.S.)
Persons pursuing this degree typically provide services to those disabled by alcohol and drug abuse, including abusers, families, friends, colleagues, and associates. Wishing to build upon knowledge and experience in alcohol and drug abuse treatment, persons served by these guidelines will seek careers in Alcohol & Drug Abuse (A&D) Services as providers of social and public services in hospitals, social service agencies, employee assistance programs, churches, etc. Some may wish to continue their education in graduate-level programs.
Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Services, (B.P.S.)
A concentration on Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Services provides students the resources and knowledge to be academically and professionally grounded in issues faced by individuals seeking disability services. Students will also be exposed to the theme of employment – including vocational adjustment and appropriate job placement – and independent living outcomes as reaffirmed in the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. Rehabilitation depends heavily upon communication between both the consumer and professional and among various professionals; consequently, communication will be stressed, as well as an understanding of the potential influence of cultural diversity and individual lifestyle choices. Courses will also enable students to understand the methods used in disability services to solve consumer problems and utilize available resources. Finally, a well-supervised field experience component will provide students the opportunity to integrate classroom principles and develop entry-level skills in a work setting.
Emergency Management, (B.P.S.)
The interdisciplinary Emergency Management concentration is designed for students with a diversity of backgrounds and interest in applying that background to emergency management, community resilience to disaster, environmental hazards mitigation, emergency management response, and business continuity/disaster recovery. It will address the following critical knowledge elements: a) the physical and social dimensions of disasters through combining knowledge from various physical, social, and applied disciplines, b) the intersection of public policy to disaster risk, response, and mitigation, c) the intersection of the private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors and how this effects emergency preparedness, mitigation, and recovery, d) sustainable development, planning for and response to extreme events and change in our physical and human landscapes; and e) communication dynamics and persuasive communication in emergencies.
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Admission to the Program
Undergraduate students admitted to University of Memphis may pursue a degree in the College of Professional and Liberal Studies by completing Declaration of Major form.
Once accepted, students must seek academic advising prior to the start of each semester. Advisors will provide guidance in developing a meaningful educational plan that is compatible with the student's abilities, values, interests and career goals. Academic advising is available in-person, by phone and web conference.
Fees and Scholarships
Students are encouraged to visit University and Student Business Services regularly to review fee charts, deadlines and other important details as they are subject to change.
The College of Professional and Liberal Studies offers several scholarships for students meeting the stated requirements. Students may apply for scholarships through Tiger Scholarship Manager.
Degree Requirements
Students in health and human relations concentrations will select from a set of courses to form a coordinated plan of study. Requirements for this program include general education, core requirements, internship, thematic studies, senior project and general electives. Students should seek guidance from their advisor every semester and follow the assigned degree plan. A minor may be pursued with this degree through the submission of a completed minor application. Approval must be granted from the graduation analyst of the minor they are seeking as well as the College of Professional and Liberal Studies graduation analyst.
Thematic Studies
Thematic studies focus on significant themes in social, political, and religious history. All College of Professional and Liberal Studies students must complete 6 credit hours of thematic studies courses. These courses are offered on campus and online in many interdisciplinary topics.
Internships
All students pursuing health and human relations concentrations will be required to secure an internship as part of their degree requirements. Successful internships provide valuable learning experiences related to coursework and areas of study under the supervision of a faculty member and an employer in the community.
Prior Learning Assessment
Students who wish to accelerate the completion of their degree may be eligible to earn credit through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) which includes credit earned by CLEP or DSST standardized exams, Experiential Learning Credit, or departmental credit by examination.
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File for Graduation
Undergraduate students who are within two semesters of graduation should review the required process to file for graduation. All parts must be completed by the posted deadline.
Career Development
Students interested in learning more about career options in health and human relations should review information and set an appointment to meet with a Career Specialist in our Career Services Office.
Local and National Organizations
National Organization for Human Services
World Health Organization
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program
Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy (DALTCP)