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Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Counseling

Program

The Human Development and Counseling (HDC) program is a campus-based, full-time undergraduate degree program that offers students an innovative approach to education. It includes interactive and experiential courses taught by certified and experienced professionals.

During freshman and sophomore years, students develop foundational knowledge by studying humanities, social sciences, writing, biological sciences, math and research methods. Students also complete six required courses focusing on human development, foundations of behavioral health care and careers in behavioral health. During the junior and senior years, students select from a broad variety of electives based on their career interests.

Students also apply their knowledge and skills learned during the program via community-based learning opportunities and via Drexel University's state-of-the-art Center for Inter-professional Clinical Simulation and Practice. Inclusive representation, supportive structures, connection and authenticity are incorporated across the rigorous curriculum.

The major also offers a co-op experience in a clinical setting that greatly enhances the student’s preparation for employment after graduation and for graduate study.

Admissions

For Entering Freshmen

To review admission prerequisites, visit the Admission Prerequisites page. 

To find admissions deadlines, apply online, check out financial aid information, and find the current schedule for open houses, visit the Undergraduate Admissions site.

For Transferring Students

Our transfer policies are specifically designed to accommodate students applying from other colleges. Transfer students may enter the program at any point and transfer a maximum of 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits). The courses and credit values show how many general education credits can be transferred in at the discretion of the program.

(Please note: This program is offered in quarter credits, not semester credits. One semester credit is equal to 1.5 quarter credits; therefore, a bachelor's degree worth 120 semester credits is equal to 180 quarter credits.)

To review transfer instructions, visit the Transfer Instructions page.

For International Students

To review transfer instructions, visit the International Instructions page.

Tuition and Fee Rates: 
Please visit the Tuition and Fee Rates page on Drexel Central

COMPLIANCE

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.

Visit the Compliance pages for more information.

Curriculum

Human Development and Counseling Co-op

Drexel University has long been known for its co-operative education programs, through which students mix periods of full-time, career-related employment with their studies. Co-op employment is a part of the Behavioral Health Counseling curriculum.

Co-operative employment experiences are directed toward activities that will expose students to the various work environments of behavioral health professionals. These work settings provide students with the opportunity to observe mental health and addictions professionals at work, while assessing their own potential and individualized interests in undertaking careers in behavioral health. In the past year Co-op students in the Behavioral Health Counseling major have been selected to work at a psycho-social rehabilitation center, a methadone clinic, and a psychiatric inpatient unit.

The Drexel co-op is paid and unpaid employment selected from a variety of clinical settings that match the interests, abilities, and aptitudes of the student.

For more information about the Drexel Co-op visit the Steinbright Career Development page at http://www.drexel.edu/scdc/

Accreditation

MSA: Accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

Program Level Outcomes

At Drexel University we believe that a well-formulated set of Program Level Outcomes [PLO] that support and are consistent with the institutional mission and goals are the building blocks of an effective assessment program.

  • Listen, communicate and collaborate effectively; establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship
  • Recognize differences in age, culture, ethnicity, religion, ability, gender and sexual orientation; incorporate the person's frame of reference when developing and delivering services and supports
  • Conduct a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment and collaboratively develop treatment plans based on client choice and need
  • Assess the characteristics of behavioral health disorders across the lifespan; facilitate the recovery process by using client-centered, strengths-based approaches, motivational enhancement strategies and stage-wise interventions
  • Explain current evidence-based and emerging best practices in the treatment of behavioral health disorders and the importance of advocacy for continuing improvements
  • Identify the goals and methods associated with various types of groups; provide effective facilitation of group process to achieve therapeutic goals
  • Summarize the value of crisis prevention; assess the potential for a crisis and respond appropriately, including seeking assistance as needed
  • Evaluate the unique needs of caregivers of people with serious behavioral health disorders; engage and support families in the recovery process
  • Describe the role of agencies and programs across systems of care; advocate and facilitate utilization of the service system and natural community supports
  • Work collaboratively with other professionals to support an integrated treatment approach
  • Explain the basic ethical standards and practices associated with community support work; analyze personal abilities and limitations and identify personal values and biases; cultivate awareness of self in the counseling relationship
  • Adhere to the standards of APA style for professional writing; recognize the content and organization of the clinical record; make concise, grammatically correct and legible entries into the client record

Career Opportunities

Students confidently enter the workforce immediately upon graduation or go on to graduate school, in areas such as social work, counseling, or psychology, knowing that the quality of their education is well-recognized by leading universities throughout the United States.

Graduates easily find employment in behavioral health settings because they are widely acknowledged by the region's employers as being among the best prepared job applicants. This is particularly noteworthy given the increased employer demand for well-trained behavioral health care professionals.  Graduates typically find immediate employment in areas such as:

  • Psychiatric rehabilitation
  • Family and child support services
  • Addictions counseling
  • Case management and services coordination
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Forensic mental health services
  • Crisis intervention

The behavioral health care field has significant demographic breath and encompasses far more career opportunities than listed. Career choices exist at all levels of service—from direct care to administration and policymaking. Students will find tremendous benefit both in the employment listings and outreach offered by Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center and in the diverse professional career experience our faculty brings to our students.