Human Services ConcentrationCollege of Arts and Sciences
Professional Social Work Pathway
Think of the Human Services Concentration as an enhancement to your major – one that opens new doors and additional career paths. Students majoring in Criminal Justice, Sociology, or Psychology can add this concentration to their major in order to later pursue licensure as a Certified Social Worker (CSW).
This versatile, state-approved pathway expands what your degree can do. This concentration is designed for students who are interested in the field of social work. According to the National Association of Social Workers, social work’s mission is “to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty … (by attending) to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living. Social workers promote social justice and social change.”
Wisconsin Social Work Licensure
This concentration has been pre-approved by the State of Wisconsin to provide the education and internship experience needed to obtain the state’s basic social work license. Students from other states should check with their state’s licensing board to determine whether this concentration fulfills the licensing requirements of their state.
Majors with Human Services Concentration
Explore the majors that offer a Human Services concentration and align with your career goals.
Madison, WI
On-campus
24
January 20, 2026
Careers Within Human Services
$61,330
A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Sociology combined with the Human Services Concentration prepares you for a variety of career paths.
- Criminal Justice: Probation/Parole Officer, Victim Advocate, and Community Corrections Specialist
- Psychology: Mental Health Caseworker, Crisis Intervention, and Behavioral Health Specialist
- Sociology: Social Service Caseworker, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Program Manager for Advocacy Organization
Required Courses
Guided by faculty who bring years of professional social work experience, you’ll connect classroom learning to real-world application. The curriculum is purposeful and practice-oriented, helping you develop the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that lead to success in human service professions. Courses are designed using competencies from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and are taught by instructors with MSW credentials. This concentration also includes a supervised internship that bridges coursework to real-world social work practice.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| Human Services 300 | Methods of Human Services I | 4 |
| Human Services 302 | Social Welfare and Policy | 4 |
| Human Services 303 | Advanced Social Change Skills | 4 |
| Human Services 304 | Group Methods in Human Services | 4 |
| Human Services 305 | Human Behavior & Social Environment | 4 |
| Human Services 400 | Human Services Internship | 4-6 |
Internship
Your education extends beyond the classroom through a 400-hour internship with a community-based social service agency. This seminar-style experience integrates classroom learning with professional practice, giving you the opportunity to apply theory, build professional skills, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Madison offers an exceptional setting for this experience, with diverse placement opportunities across hospitals, schools, nonprofit agencies, and community organizations. Internship placements are coordinated individually based on your interests and career goals. While most internships take place in the Madison area, remote or hometown placements can often be arranged.
Students have recently completed internships at organizations such as:
-
- Attic Correctional Services
- Child Protective Services
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
- Journey Mental Health Center
- Maternal and Infant Program
- Oak Park Place Skilled Nursing Facility
- Restorative Justice Program
Program by the Numbers
400
15
90%
Alumni Spotlights
Explore each alumni profile to see how the Human Services Concentration influenced their professional journey.
Faculty Spotlight
PEgan@edgewood.edu
Graduate Pathway Advantage
Edgewood University has an articulation agreement with Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. Students who earn a grade of “B” or higher in qualifying courses may receive transfer credit toward Clarke’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This allows you to begin your graduate studies with advanced standing – saving both time and tuition – while continuing your journey toward professional social work practice. Students taking advantage of this partnership can expect to finish their MSW in approximately 14 months.