In addition to the General Education requirements that the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Human Services, the program offers specific courses fully relevant to the profession. The following is a description of a sample of these courses. Please note that some courses may be elective. Students should always consult with their academic advisor before registering for specific courses. For further information about other courses, please consult the University Bulletin for Undergraduate Degree Programs.
RHS 100: Introduction to Disability Culture. Social and cultural contexts of disability on both a micro and macro levels will be examined.
RHS 300: Introduction to Rehabilitation and Human Services. Disability, public and private rehabilitation agencies, case management; resources for training; observations in rehabilitation settings. Prerequisite: 6 credits in psychology sociology human development and family studies and/or crime law and justice.
RHS 301: Introduction to Counseling as a Profession. Overview of the counseling theories that are often used in human service and rehabilitation practices.
RHS 302: Client Assessment in Rehabilitation and Human Services. Provides a practical understanding and skills to utilize assessment in the helping process.
RHS 303: Group Work in Rehabilitation Practice and Human Services. An overview of essential elements and dynamics for conducting groups and various team-related activities will be the major focus.
RHS 400W: Case Management and Communication Skills. Principles and practices of obtaining, recording, evaluating, and utilizing case data in rehabilitation planning; implementation of rehabilitation plans.
RHS 401: Community Mental Health Practice and Services. Community mental health roles, historical points, current trends, and ethical standards; funding and impact on service provision.
RHS 402: Children and Families in Rehabilitation Settings and Human Services. Contemporary family issues, child development, legal considerations, cultural and familial factors within rehabilitation and human services practice will be addressed.
RHS 403: Medical Aspects of Disability. Common disabling illnesses, injuries, and congenital defects; their symptomatology, prognosis, and treatment; implications for personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
PSYCH 100: Introductory Psychology. Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications.
PSYCH 212: Introduction to Developmental Psychology. Developmental principles; physical growth; linguistic, intellectual, emotional, and social development from infancy to maturity.
PSYCH 270: Introduction to Abnormal Psychology. Overview of assessment, causes, and treatments of psychological disorders.
SOC 001: Introductory Sociology. The nature and characteristics of human societies and social life.
SOC 119: Race and Ethnic Relations. Historical patterns and current status of racial and ethnic groups; inequality, competition, and conflict; social movements; government policy.
RHS 495A: Internship. The Rehabilitation and Human Services program culminates in a 15-credit (600-hour) internship that is typically taken during the last semester of study. This Internship helps students to put in to practice what they have learned at a facility, agency or other employment setting approved by the Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator and Penn State Wilkes-Barre Career Services will help students with locating and securing internship placements.
This internship is critical to the development of important professional and interpersonal skills. In particular, the 10 personal qualities that employers seek in new college graduates according to the National Associate of College and Employers (NACE) are:
- Communication Skills
- Motivation/Initiative
- Teamwork Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Academic Achievement
- Interpersonal Skills
- Flexibility/Adaptability
- Technical Skills
- Honesty/Integrity
- (tie) Work Ethic
(tie) Analytical/ Problem-Solving Skills
