Course descriptions index


Human Services


HUMS F101 Introduction to Human Services

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Provides an overview and orientation for individuals who have either started or are exploring human service careers. Designed for entry level behavioral health providers with an emphasis in understanding social service systems in rural and frontier Alaska. Learners will consider the theoretical foundations of the helping process both personal and external-driven while setting a career path that builds on individual strengths. Students should come away knowing their current worker competencies and those yet to be developed. Recommended: Should be taken within the first academic year when possible. Strongly encourage students to be accepted into the Human Services Degree Program. (3+0)


HUMS F102 Standards of Practice

2 Credits

Designed to provide an integrative approach for ongoing development of critical thinking skills, best practices evaluation, and application of skills based competencies. Students will be challenged to integrate their learning from any previous human service or related training and education, past and present work settings as well as life experiences. This process will be facilitated through the development of a professional portfolio, collaborative group learning, class discussions and the use of blended learning approaches. Recommended: This course should be taken as soon as possible upon acceptance into the Human Services Program. (2+0)


HUMS F105 Personal Awareness and Growth

2 - 3 Credits

Interpersonal and intrapersonal communication explored. Personal growth process presented from a holistic perspective. Focus will identify opportunities for personal enrichment through increased awareness of self and others. (2 - 3+0)


HUMS F117 Math Skills for Human Services

1 - 3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Computation involving percentages, estimation, problem- solving, reading and creating graphs and tables, data organization and interpretation. Applications of computational skills will be emphasized. (Cross-listed with ECE F117.) (1 - 3+0)


HUMS F120 Cultural Diversity in Human Services

3 Credits     Offered Spring

The impact of culture on the delivery of human services including Alaska Native cultures; examination of relationship of multicultural and multi-ethnic concepts. Issues of age, class, disablement, race, gender and sexual orientation will also be discussed. Student exploration of personal values and cultural world view included. (3+0)


HUMS F125 Introduction to Addictive Processes

3 Credits

Focus on gaining knowledge of the psycho-social aspects of addiction. Historic and behavioral approaches, disease concept and current trends relating to addiction presented. Twelve step and self-help approaches explored. Also available via Independent Learning. (Cross-listed with JUST F125.) (3+0)


HUMS F130 Introduction to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Overview of the history, philosophy and identification of the mental health and developmental disability population. Basic introduction to service principles and suitability for a career in this field. Recommended: PSY F101 and PSY F240. (3+0)


HUMS F140 Family Empowerment I

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Introduction to the concepts of the empowerment approach, with application to families. Concepts include respect, focus on strengths and needed system changes. Prepares and supports workers in applying skills to families. (3+0)


HUMS F150 Workforce Development I

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Introduction to the profession of workforce development, including career development theory, relevant helping skills, diverse populations, and ethics and consulting. First of two courses required to become certified as a career development facilitator. (3+1)


HUMS F170 Residential Child Care

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Reviews general knowledge and specific skills required to become a competent child care worker in a residential setting. Knowledge and skills in child development, healthy relationships, attachment and separation, treatment and case planning, creating a healthy treatment environment, crisis and suicide intervention, and engaging families will be introduced. Recommended: PSY F101. (3+0)


HUMS F202 Standards of Practice II

1 Credit     Offered Spring

Examine the historical evaluation, conceptual framework, practical realities of community development and prevention in rural Alaska. Surveys various approaches to addressing community needs. There are examples from developing countries and throughout the United States. A multiplicity of approaches are offered for consideration when designing and implementing effective and culturally sound community projects. Collecting data to ascertain which needs exist, skills on how to build community consensus as well as exposure to the community readiness model are also covered in this course. Evaluation of efforts in terms of their success and effectiveness will be introduced. Prerequisite: HUMS F102 or departmental approval. (1+0)


HUMS F205 Basic Principles of Group Counseling

3 Credits     Offered Spring

Concepts and techniques of working with small groups, including establishing group goals, effective group interaction, termination and evaluation. Development of therapeutic group activities presented. (3+0)


HUMS F210 Crisis and Grief Counseling

3 Credits     Offered Fall

Helping people in crisis from a theoretical and experiential perspective. Understanding how people feel, think and behave during periods of crisis and grieving. Suicide, violence, life transitions and AIDS explored. (3+0)


HUMS F215 Individual Interviewing

2 - 3 Credits

Introduction to interpersonal communication skills. Focus on gathering client information through the interviewing process. Emphasis on development of one to one interviewing, behavioral observation and documentation. (2 - 3+0)


HUMS F232 Human Service Practicum I

3 Credits

Integration of human service theory with skill-based training through a professional, supervised experience in a human service agency. Practicum requires 100 hours. Seminar also meets one hour per week; student-shared learning, peer support and documentation, including progress notes, social history, mental status and case planning. Prerequisites: Human Services major or minor; permission of instructor. (1+8)


HUMS F233 Human Service Practicum II

3 - 6 Credits

Continuation of HUMS F232. Course may be repeated once for credit to meet program requirements. Prerequisites: HUMS F232. (1+8)


HUMS F240 Family Empowerment II

4 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Designed for family workers to learn empowerment skills which will help them work more effectively with families. Concepts and skills include family development assessment and planning, home visiting, referrals, special services needed and how to assess them, family conferencing and cooperation and collaboration skills in working with other agencies. State and national policies affecting families and family empowerment are considered. Prerequisites: HUMS F140. (4+0)


HUMS F250 Current Issues in Human Services

1 - 4 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Selected current issues of importance to the human service field. Emphasis on issues impacting Alaskan communities. Repeatable for credit by Human Services majors to a maximum of 9 credits. (1 - 4+0)


HUMS F255 Workforce Development II

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Continuation of HUMS F150. Emphasis on labor market information, assessment, employability skills, public relations, program management and useful technology. Successful completion of HUMS F150 and HUMS F255 qualifies student for the certification as a career development facilitator. Prerequisites: HUMS F150. (3+1)


HUMS F260 History of Alcohol in Alaska

1 Credit

Significant historical forces, events and consequences related to alcohol and other drug use in Alaska. Includes current impact and trends. Prerequisites: HUMS F125 or permission of instructor. (1+0)


HUMS F261 Substance Abuse Assessment: ASAM PPC II

1 Credit     Offered As Demand Warrants

Treatment begins with assessment of need and intensity of services required. Students will understand criteria of ASAM: PPC II and have the skill to apply it to specific cases. Prerequisites: HUMS F125 or permission of instructor. (1+0)


HUMS F262 Pharmacology of Addictions

1 Credit     Offered As Demand Warrants

Pharmacological overview of the significant drugs of abuse in today's society. Prerequisites: HUMS F125. (1+2)


HUMS F263 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

1 Credit

Identification of alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (fetal alcohol syndrome/effect), understanding of developmental differences, secondary problems and development of intervention strategies leading to best practice. (1+0)


HUMS F264 Cultural Considerations in Providing Chemical Dependency Services to Alaska Native People

1 Credit     Offered As Demand Warrants

The importance of culture to recovery and the impact of cultural diversity on counseling and service delivery. Meets requirements for certification as substance abuse counselor in Alaska. Prerequisites: HUMS F125. (1+0)


HUMS F265 Substance Abuse and the Family

1 - 2 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Basic understanding of family dynamics and roles related to addictions. Prerequisites: HUMS F125 or permission of instructor. (1 - 2+0)


HUMS F266 Dual Diagnosis Intervention and Treatment

1 - 2 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Theories and skills related to counseling the mentally ill substance abuser. Includes diagnosis, treatment planning and approaches, and special considerations. Prerequisites: HUMS F125. (1 - 2+0)


HUMS F270 Adolescent Issues and Therapeutic Interventions

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Basic knowledge of adolescent development and culture for the human services residential care worker. Includes communication and intervention strategies, and life skills assessment with case planning. Prerequisites: HUMS F170 or permission of instructor. (3+0)


HUMS F271 Managing Aggressive Behavior

1 Credit     Offered As Demand Warrants

Basic knowledge and skills required to prevent and intervene in the aggressive behavior of children and youth, primarily in a residential setting. Includes interaction model of crisis intervention, the importance of blending in crisis intervention, the appropriate use of non-physical and physical intervention techniques, and effective limits and consequences. Prerequisites: HUMS F170. (1+0)


HUMS F272 Attachment, Separation, and Loss

1 Credit     Offered As Demand Warrants

Understanding of the components of the attachment cycle and effects on children when the cycle is disrupted by abuse, neglect, separation and placement. Includes strategies to deal with the losses. Prerequisites: HUMS F170. (1+0)


HUMS F280 Foundations of Community Development and Prevention Practices for the Human Service Professional

3 Credits     Offered Fall

Examine the historical evaluation, conceptual framework, practical realities of community development and prevention in rural Alaska. Surveys various approaches to addressing community needs, with examples from developing countries and the lower-48 as well as offers a multiplicity of approaches which can be considered in designing and implementing effective and culturally sound community projects. Collecting data to ascertain which needs exist, skills on how to build community consensus as well as exposure to the community readiness model are also covered in this course. Evaluation of efforts in terms of their success and effectiveness will also be introduced. Prerequisite: HUMS F101 and HUMS F102 or departmental approval. (3+0)


HUMS F290 Case Management

3 Credits     Offered Fall

Challenge and broaden students' understanding, thinking and conceptualizing of case management. Investigate the case management model emphasizing its useful application to various client groups with an emphasis on Alaska and rural communities. The different roles and aspects of effective case management will be explored and students will practice case management skills both at the individual level and as part of an interdisciplinary team. The role of the community in supporting such efforts as well in providing resources such as natural supports will be emphasized. Use of and knowledge of local, regional and statewide and national resources will be highlighted. Several specific functions of case management will be specifically emphasized, including that of advocate and broker. Prerequisite: HUMS F101 and HUMS F102 or departmental approval. (3+0)


HUMS F301 Ethics in Human Service

3 Credits     Offered Spring

Professional and ethical issues related to the helping professions. Ethical concerns in multicultural and rural human service delivery. Ethics and legal issues related to substance abuse counseling in Alaska. Prerequisites: PSY F101 or SOC F100X. (3+0)


HUMS F305 Substance Abuse Counseling

3 Credits     Offered Spring

Introduction to the basic principles of substance abuse counseling. Application of counseling modalities to intervention and treatment of individuals, families and groups experiencing alcohol and drug abuse or dependence. Cross-cultural issues addressed. Prerequisites: HUMS F125. (3+0)


HUMS F310 Management of Complex Cases

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Concepts, policies, skills and techniques required for competence and confidence in effective case management in the human services. Includes assessment tools, advanced skills and treatment planning for complex cases, community resource identification, documentation, consultation, advocacy, building alliances with multi-agency treatment teams, and management of conflict and confrontation. Strength-based, empowerment approach. Prerequisites: HUMS F215 or RHS certificate. Recommended: PSY F101, HUMS F125. (2+2)