Compare and Contrast Programs Report

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two other graduate counseling programs to the Bellevue University Masters of Science in Human Services program. There are many graduate counseling programs throughout the United States that are worthy of being compared and contrasted to Bellevue University’s program, but only two can be chosen. The programs that will be compared to Bellevue University’s human service program are the University of Baltimore’s human services program and Southeastern University’s human services program. In order to determine which graduate counseling program is most affective, four key points that will be compared and contrasted for each program will include the programs description, the learning platform, the requirements needed to qualify for the program as well as the classes needed to complete the program, and the internships. A conclusion will be drawn by the author on which graduate counseling program is the most beneficial to future students based on the criteria collected to compare and contrast.

Compare and Contrast Programs Report
Obtaining a Master’s of Science in Human Services can provide a person with the ability to help others improve their lives. The first step is finding the right program that fits with the individual’s wants and needs. Although most the graduate counseling programs are striving for the same outcome, the process of getting there can be very different. Each program can have similar or different descriptions, learning platforms, requirements and internships. Three graduate counseling programs that embody these similarities and differences are Bellevue University’s human service program, University of Baltimore’s human service program, and Southeastern University’s human service program.

Bellevue University’s Human Service Program
Program Description Bellevue University (2008) describes their graduate counseling program as followed:
Bellevue University equips its human services graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve. Our "real learning for real life" philosophy means we bring real world experiences and knowledge to your educational experience. From research to role play, we believe the more career relevant our curriculums are the more success our students will have in the future (Bellevue University, 2008). Bellevue University’s program stresses the importance of being able to use what the program teaches the student in real life situations. The school does not want to send the student out into the real world without the proper tools and experiences.
Learning Platforms Bellevue University’s graduate counseling program is a non-licensure degree available to take online or in a classroom setting. Bellevue University is one of the first universities to offer online degrees. Based on Bellevue University being a trendsetter for online learning, Bellevue University was chosen by the United States Distance Learning Association to be the 2007 recipient of the prestigious 21 Century Best Practices Award (Bellevue University, 2008).
Requirements
Admission Standards. In order to be accepted in the Bellevue University’s graduate counseling program, a person needs to have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better from the most recent 60 credit hours, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for prior graduate work. Prerequisites. Candidates must satisfy prerequisite requirements of 6 credit hours in behavioral sciences and 3 credit hours in elementary statistics. Graduate Classes. Bellevue University’s graduate counseling program consists of 36 credit hours.
Internship
The internship course is for students to apply their knowledge in a human service setting. Students will clock 300 hours working in an appropriate professional setting. The internship can be started when seventy-five percent of the course requirements have been completed. The internship is three credit hours.

University of Baltimore’s Human Service Program
Program Description The University of Baltimore’s graduate counseling program allows for students to explore a wide range of topics, including: negotiations and conflict management, recreation for the disabled, and entrepreneurship and gerontology. Students with the degree will find opportunities in corporate, government, nonprofit, and community settings. Learning Platforms The University of Baltimore’s graduate counseling program is only available in the classroom setting. The college joins forces with Coppin State University to strengthen the resources of faculty members who are leaders in learning. Classes are taken on both campuses and students will receive a joint degree from both institutions.

Requirements Admission Standards. Students applying to the University of Baltimore’s graduate counseling program require a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a GPA of 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university. Students also will need to submit a statement of personal interest and resume. Prerequisites. Students must complete 18 credit hours in six core classes before moving on the graduate counseling program. These classes include: History and Foundations of Human Service Systems, Contemporary Issues in Human Service Administration, Strategies for Human Services Program Planning, Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Human Services Leadership and Supervision, and Administrative Decision- Making in Human Service Agencies. Graduate Classes. The University of Baltimore’s graduate counseling program consists of 36 credit hours.
Internship
The University of Baltimore (2011) describes the internships as follows:
During your final year of study, you’ll have two internships (along with related course work) and learn to apply your administrative knowledge in such areas as addictions, rehabilitation, health care, and family and mental health. Past internship sites include the Workforce & Technology Center, the Baltimore City Housing and Community Development Program, the House of Ruth and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake (University of Baltimore, 2011).

Southeastern University’s Human Service Program
Program Description Southeastern University (2004-2011) describes their program as followed:
The Master of Arts in Human Services is a 39-semester-hour degree that will provide a theoretical and experiential understanding of the human services profession. This program will be grounded in a core of specialized courses with additional course work in an administrative specialization. Graduates of this program will be prepared to assume leadership positions in a variety of settings including: social services, education, behavioral health management, counseling related organizations, and healthcare. (Southeastern University, 2004-2011).
Learning Platforms The graduate counseling program at Southeastern University is available in the classroom setting only in the evenings.
Requirements
Admission Standards. Students are eligible to apply to Southeastern University’s graduate counseling program if a bachelor’s degree is completed in the fields of human services, psychology, social work, history, ministry, or education. Prerequisites. The prerequisites required for the graduate counseling program are Introduction to Human Services and Program Planning and Evaluation. If a student does not have these requirements, they are available to take online, but need to be completed prior to completing 12 hours of the graduate program. Graduate Classes. Southeastern University’s graduate counseling program requires 39 credit hours.
Internship
The graduate counseling program contains two internships, both three credit hours. The student can pick between a faith-based or non-faith-based agency. There will be 350 hours that need to be completed. With comparing and contrasting all three graduate counseling programs, I believe Bellevue University is the best pick. Bellevue University has the most flexible schedule for working adults because of their online learning. Bellevue University’s program only requires one internship while the other two programs require two internships. This being a graduate program, many students have full-time jobs so it would be difficult working and doing two internships. Bellevue University doesn’t specify what bachelor’s degrees you have to have in order to get into the graduate program. All they ask for is three basic classes that can be easily taken to get into the program. The other two programs required a student to have a bachelor’s degree in specific areas or they would not meet the requirements for the program. Bellevue University’s graduate counseling program would be the best fit for any person trying to have real life experiences with their schooling.

References

Human Services Degree. (2008). Bellevue University. Retrieved December 16, 2011, http://www.humanservicesdegree.com/learning-opportunities/default.aspx.

Human Services Administration (2011).University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs. Retrieved December 18, 2011, http://ubalt36.reachlocal.net/cpa/graduate-programs-and-certificates/degree-programs/human-services-administration/index.cfm.

Master of Arts in Human Services (2004-2011). Southeastern University. Retrieved December, 18, 2011, http://www.seu.edu/graduate/mahs.php.