New B.A. in Human Services

Beginning spring 2012, Bethel University’s College of Adult & Professional Studies (CAPS) adds a new Bachelors of Arts in Human Services degree. The degree will assist adult learners preparing for a variety of careers, including counseling, health education, and crisis intervention.

“The deans at the College of Adult & Professional Studies saw a need to prepare folks for entry-level positions in human services areas, as well as graduate study,” says Sue Yonker, marketing specialist at Bethel. Upon completion of the degree, adults may go on to Bethel’s Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology program, Marriage and Family Therapy degree program at Bethel Seminary, or another graduate program.

The College of Adult & Professional Studies/Graduate School (CAPS/GS) began in 1988, and since then more than 5,000 adults have graduated from its varied programs. CAPS/GS specializes in helping adult students earn their degree, even with a busy full-time work schedule.

“Our programs are offered evenings when most adults are available, and meet one night a week, online, or as a combination of face-to-face and online classes,” says Yonker. The average CAPS adult learner is 37 years old. CAPS strives to take out the “hassle factor” of going back to school by having a set schedule for the months ahead, providing an online book service, and offering an internal registration process.

Two years ago, CAPS added a Healthcare Leadership degree. With the new B.A. in Human Services, it now offers a total of seven undergraduate degrees. Adult learners choose Bethel’s CAPS programs for many reasons, says Yonker. “They go back for personal enrichment, to increase their income, to advance within their current jobs, to prove they can do it, to change careers, or to be role models for their families,” she explains. The first Human Services cohort will begin this spring, and in fall 2012 the program will go online.