Qualifications
- Certificate in Arts
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Sport Coaching
- Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
Overview
Human Services is referred to as the study of the professions. Human Services (HSRV) programmes and courses are now being taught at universities internationally, with human services among the fastest growing fields of employment. At UC, we offer the only Human Services (HSRV) programmes and courses in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Studying Human Services gives you the opportunity to learn research skills and choose courses in particular areas of study, maximising your ability to develop more focused career directions within your degree.
Students majoring in subjects such as Psychology, Criminal Justice, Political Science and International Relations, Health Sciences, Law, Education, Management, and Sociology also have the opportunity to strengthen the human service component of their studies by including HSRV courses.
Why study Human Services at UC?
We offer five exciting study pathways within the Human Services programme at UC:
- Healthy lives/lifestyles, space, and bodies – this pathway offers the opportunity to explore understandings of health, wellbeing, and sport across diverse social, political, cultural, and economic contexts.
- Violence, crime, and deviance – this pathway is designed to encourage critical thinking about various forms of, and responses to, violence, crime, and deviance.
- Local and global communities – this pathway explores how we critically think about ‘community’ space, including how we construct and negotiate belonging, identity, creativity, politics, and resources.
- Work and organisations – this pathway enables you to develop in-depth knowledge about workers and workplaces. Courses critically explore changing contexts and structures of work; how work and the organisation of work impact people and communities.
- Youth/young people and their worlds – this pathway offers the opportunity to explore the social construction of youth and the worlds they inhabit.
Recommended preparation
To participate in Human Services courses at UC, all that is required is an enquiring mind, an openness to diversity, and an interest in what people do to and with each other. Mature students are often able to bring a wealth of life experience to the study of Human Services.
Courses
UC offers a major and a minor in Human Services as part of the Bachelor of Arts.
You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Human Services major
To complete a major in Human Services within the Bachelor of Arts, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
- Two 100-level HSRV courses
200-level
- HSRV 204 Culture, Indigeneity and Citizenship: Critical Debates for the Human Services
- Two 200-level HSRV courses
300-level
- HSRV 301 Change and Human Systems
- One 300-level HSRV course
HSRV 302 Qualitative Social Research or HSRV 305 Quantitative Research Methods for the Human Services is recommended.
Human Services minor
For the Human Services minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
- 75 points in 100 to 300-level HSRV courses, with at least 45 points at 200-level or above
Career opportunities
Human Services courses are designed for students wanting to pursue careers within fields such as education, law enforcement, health, community, and other social service/support organisations including international organisations.
Graduates may find roles in policy analysis, research, administration, management, supervision, community development, youth work, and various types of support work.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Human Services.
Contact us
School of Language, Social and Political Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email [email protected]
Location
Level 1 and 2, Music building – see campus maps
Postal address
College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand