Opportunities and outcomes
Human services topics covered
- Standards, characteristics, and skills needed for those in human services professions
- Human services theories, goals, and strategies
- Interview skill development and case report writing
- Developing self-awareness and relationship skills for human services trainees
- Administration, planning, and leadership of human services programs
- Assessment and treatment for abnormal psychology
- Social welfare systems, policies, and processes
Student learning outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of content, theory, skills, and values designated by national accreditation standards for human services professionals (Council for Standards in Human Service Education, CSHSE)
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of accreditation standards specific to their professional practice created by the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the State of Nebraska as applicable
- Students will demonstrate competent skills and professional dispositions as an entry-level human services professional in a supervised internship setting
Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN)
Launched in 2023, BHECN Northeast provides career preparation and outreach programming for students in the behavioral health field. Programming includes conferences, workshops, and professional development activities, all geared toward students considering careers in human services and behavioral health.
Human services internships
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find human services internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Behavioral Health Specialists
- Burroughs Counseling & Consultation, LLC
- Department of Health & Human Services
- Good Life Counseling & Support
- Jewish Family Services
- Women’s Empowering Life Line, Inc.
- Youth Crisis Intervention Center
Graduates of the Human Services degree program work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.
Jobs of recent graduates:
- Behavior Specialist – Family Wellness Associates (Sioux City, Iowa)
- Behavioral Technician – Lincoln Regional Center (Lincoln, Neb.)
- Child and Family Services Specialist – Department of Health and Human Services (Columbus, Neb.)
- Family Support Specialist – Good Life Counseling (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Foster Care Specialist – Behavioral Health Specialists (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Life Enrichment Associate – The Meadows (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Program Coordinator – Better Living Counseling Services (Grand Island, Neb.)
- Shelter Manager – Haven House (South Sioux City, Neb.)
- Social Worker – Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Youth and Family Services Director – Behavioral Health Specialists (Norfolk, Neb.)
job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
After graduating from Wayne State College, recent grads pursued advanced degrees at the following schools:
- Addiction Counseling and Prevention (M.A.) - University of South Dakota (Vermillion, South Dakota)
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSE) – Wayne State College
- Neuroscience and Behavior (M.A.) – University of Nebraska Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)
- School Counseling (MSE) – Wayne State College
- Social Work (MSW) – University of Nebraska Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)
- Social Work (MSW) – University of South Dakota (Vermillion, South Dakota)
Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
I love that the Human Services major is flexible and is open to a lot of different careers like counseling and social work. I would love to use my degree to be a social worker. Wayne State is helping me prepare for my career because of my education and the many opportunities they give students to be successful.
Liz Liston
York, Nebraska
Major: Human Services
I love that the Human Services major is flexible and is open to a lot of different careers like counseling and social work. I would love to use my degree to be a social worker. Wayne State is helping me prepare for my career because of my education and the many opportunities they give students to be successful.
Liz Liston
York, Nebraska
Major: Human Services
Counseling Department faculty
Alison Boughn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Alison Boughn is a counseling professor and the chair of the Counseling Department at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include clinical skills and application, practical research techniques, and development of counselor self-awareness. Dr. Boughn's qualifications and responsibilities meet the "core faculty" designation through CACREP's standards.
Katie Hecht Weber, M.S.
Assistant Professor
Katie Hecht-Weber is a counseling professor at Wayne State College. She is a CACREP-certified school counselor, Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) in Nebraska, and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Jeff Peterson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jeff Peterson, LCPC, LPC, NCC, PCC is a counseling professor at Wayne State College. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and counselor supervisor in the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Utah. Dr. Peterson's qualifications and responsibilities meet the "core faculty" designation through CACREP's standards.
Suzanne Scott, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Suzanne Scott is a counseling professor, teaching counseling courses and school counseling courses at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include counseling courses such as professional ethics, foundations of school counseling, counseling children and adolescents, career counseling, consultation, practicum, and internship. Dr. Scott's qualifications and responsibilities meet the "core faculty" designation through CACREP's standards.
Tobin Streff teaches counseling at Wayne State College. His primary focus is the undergraduate human services degree. In addition to the undergraduate program, Streff also teaches graduate classes with a focus on those related to drug and alcohol counseling.
Dr. Tucker's qualifications and responsibilities meet the "core faculty" designation through CACREP's standards.
Student clubs for human services majors
Active Minds - Works to raise mental health awareness
Pi Gamma Mu - An honor society that recognizes excellence in the social and behavioral sciences
Psi Chi - International honor society for psychology
Psychology/Sociology Club - Participates in activities relating to psychology and sociology
Tau Upsilon Alpha - A national honor society for students, professors, and professionals in the field of human services
A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.
A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.
