SC School Of Human Services Earns National Accreditation
May 12, 2004SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 12, 2004--Robert J. Willey, dean of the Springfield College School of Human Services (SHS), today announced that the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) has awarded accreditation to the school, commending it as "an outstanding and innovative human services program."
CSHSE, the only national organization accrediting human service education programs in the United States, establishes standards for educational programs and provides services for human services educators and professionals.
The School of Human Services offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in human services at Springfield College’s main campus and at nine satellite campuses around the country. Its educational programs are designed to build the leadership skills of human services professionals while they are serving their communities. Most students are adults who work in human services, and so classes are scheduled on weekends throughout the year.
According to Willey, "We hold our programs to high standards for academic quality and relevance to the human services workplace, and are pleased that the CSHSE has commended the education that we provide. Accreditation reaffirms to our students and applicants that the Springfield College School of Human Services provides them with the latest knowledge and techniques in their field, taught by highly qualified educators in a respected institution. It assures employers that our graduates are well-prepared for careers in human services."
A hallmark of the SHS education is that students identify a community need and design and implement a project to address it. Such projects are usually in partnership with various community organizations. Most of the school’s campuses are partnerships with the YMCA. Recently, Springfield College and the YMCA of the USA signed an agreement to continue to offer degree programs for middle and senior level YMCA professionals and volunteers.
The school accepts transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. It also offers a process for undergraduate students to claim academic credits for college-level learning gained through life and work experience. Most students complete their degrees in 16 to 24 months.
Other campuses of the Springfield College School of Human Services are located in Boston, Massachusetts; Los Angeles and San Diego, California; Wilmington, Delaware; Tampa, Florida; Manchester, New Hampshire; Charleston, South Carolina; St. Johnsbury, Vermont; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
