"At Western, I have had a lot of opportunities to observe and get involved in my field before going into the workforce."
Bethany Griffith, Birth-Kindergarten Education Major
“My experience in the school counselor program has helped me to grow both personally and professionally."
Paul Jones, School Counseling graduate
"I found that the academic instruction met my expectations for graduate school and challenged me tremendously."
Cindy Jarvis, Region HR Director for Lowes, Inc.
Human Resources Program graduate
"Western provides a very positive environment. You receive support both on- and off-campus that makes it very conducive to learning."
Kasie Setzer, Special Education major
If you’re interested in birth-kindergarten education, counseling, special education, or the challenging world of human resources, you’ll find your home here in the Department of Human Services.
Accomplished Faculty
Our accomplished faculty will give you the skills to work with young children, understand development and variations in student abilities, counsel a variety of audiences and age groups, or improve conditions and solve problems in the workplace.
Accredited Programs
Our fully and nationally accredited programs allow you to specialize in a range of disciplines.
The Birth-Kindergarten (BK) Program will help you work with young children—ages zero through five years, with and without disabilities—and their families. Choose to pursue a B.S. degree with an early childhood concentration or a professional education concentration, which leads to licensure; a minor; or a M.A.T. or M.A.Ed. degree.
The Counseling Program will allow you to help people address the psychological and emotional challenges that are a part of life. Your experiences in our nationally accredited programs will help you earn a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in School Counseling or a Master of Science (M.S.) in Community Counseling. Both degrees make you eligible to take the National Counselor Exam.
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Resources provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals in traditional human resource practice. The program focuses on the strategic aspects of human resources and its impacts on organization performance. All of our courses are now offered solely online.
The Special Education Program prepares future teachers to support the academic, social, and behavioral needs of children with disabilities. Undergraduate students complete the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree and earn initial North Carolina licensure in the General Curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th grade. Graduate students expand their current expertise through either the Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) or the Master of Arts (M.A.T.) degree program and enter the teaching profession with a master's-level North Carolina license.
Online Programs
We offer online programs in birth-kindergarten, human resources, The Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Licensure, and the M.A.T. and the M.A.Ed in Special Education.
Support for Transfer Students
If you're a transfer or community college transfer student, you can get help and resources from the admissions office to smooth your way.
Changing Careers? Already have a degree?
If you’re changing careers or already have a degree, our many graduate or alternative licensure programs may fit the bill. Whether you’re a teacher seeking advancement, a recent grad, a full-time student, or a working professional with an urge to make a difference, we have a program for you.
Please contact us with your questions. We look forward to hearing from you.