Human Services Leadership B.P.S.

Prepare to lead.

The SUNY Morrisville Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) degree in human services leadership will provide the skills and knowledge to prepare students for careers in organizational leadership or graduate studies in business or public administration, social work or nonprofit management. The degree can also give students the tools to design their own social entrepreneurial enterprises or charitable organizations.

With an emphasis in leadership throughout the curriculum, this unique degree program, offered at the Norwich Campus, prepares students to lead nonprofit agencies at the executive, supervisory and managerial levels.

The interdisciplinary program offers courses in human services, psychology, and business and entrepreneurship. Throughout your course of study, you will develop a professional portfolio to prepare for employment or graduate study, including applied learning opportunities tailored to your professional interests through both coursework and a full-semester internship experience.

The human services leadership B.P.S. degree also allows seamless transfer into the program for students currently pursuing a SUNY Morrisville human services Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree or either of our business administration Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs, or our individual studies associate degree programs.

Learning by Doing

Students in the program have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by devoting their last semester of study to a full-time, 12-credit-hour internship. Leadership opportunities are available through partnerships with nonprofits, governmental agencies, public service organizations and local businesses. Students may also take advantage of the opportunity to design their own internship experience with the support and guidance of SUNY Morrisville’s Human Services Institute. Students are encouraged to take advantage of placement sites across the Central New York region, while distance learning options also support placement for students living outside the region.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the human services leadership B.P.S. program, a successful graduate will:

• Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and solve problems in professional practice.
• Develop effective professional communication and relational skills.
• Utilize data to develop effective business plans around marketing, finance, management, program development and operations.
• Recognize and promote ethical and responsible business practices in nonprofit, government and private agencies.
• Utilize strategic planning in decision-making around program growth and development.
• Develop effective leadership and supervisory skills to impact, influence and inspire others.
• Comprehend social welfare policy and its impact on individuals, families, groups and organizations.

Continuing Education

Should you wish to continue your studies following completion of the program, the human services leadership B.P.S. degree prepares you to pursue a graduate degree in social work, business or public administration.

Career Outcomes

This Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) degree in human services leadership provides opportunities for careers in supervisory and management of human service and social service agencies. According to the Department of Labor, the projected growth rate for careers as program supervisors, case managers, social service directors, program directors and executive directors over a 10-year period in the Central New York region — including Madison, Chenango, Oneida and Onondaga counties — is 20.6%. The educational requirement for 7 out of 10 openings in these jobs is a bachelor’s degree.