Human Services & Restorative Justice
About this program
You want a career that really matters, one that enriches the lives of others and strengthens your community. When you work in the growing field of human services and restorative justice, you’ll have a chance to make that happen. Study theories and methods then apply them through extensive hands-on experiences. From direct care to the administrative side of human services, the options are diverse and far-reaching. Select courses that focus on specific areas of interest such as mental health, criminal justice, or administrative positions. For those who want to keep the momentum going, this program can seamlessly transfer into the bachelor's program.
Join the Penn College Human Services & Restorative Justice Community 
Ethical Standards, Background Checks and Clearances
The Human Services and Restorative Justice program abides by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) ethical standards, which can be found here . Additionally, field experiences and internship sites may require background checks and clearances. Learn more.
Careers
- Entry-level positions in youth & aging programs
- Drug & alcohol counseling programs
- Child care development agencies
- Correctional facilities
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- HSJ115Introduction to Human Services & Restorative Justice
- PSY111General Psychology
- SOCANTSelect One Course: SOC111 or ANT113
- HSJ120Introduction to Interviewing Skills & Intake Processes
- HSJ212Diversity & Inclusive Practices
- HSJELCHuman Services and Restorative Justice Appl Elec
- HSJ223Assessment, Case Management & Crisis Intervention
- HSJ263Criminal Justice
- HSJELCHuman Services and Restorative Justice Appl Elec
- PSY203Developmental Psychology
- HSJ225Counseling Theories & Techniques
- HSJ255Internship I
- HSJ275Serving & Surviving in Human Services
- HSJ261Families in Crisis
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
- SCIELCScience Elective
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
Maker Profiles
Student
Jerome Frazier
Human Services & Restorative Justice
Jerome's writing a better future for himself by helping others succeed.
Faculty
Sarah Moore
Human Services & Restorative Justice
Compassionate and caring, Sarah leads by example, inspiring tomorrow's agents of change.
Student
Colin Browne Jr.
Human Services & Restorative Justice
He knew from a young age that he was destined to make a difference. The Human Services & Restorative Justice program at Penn College was the perfect fit.
Industry
Central PA Food Bank
Accounting & Business Administration
Human Services & Restorative Justice
Information Technology
Facilities
Mentoring Lab
Reserved for Human Services and Restorative Justice students, this lab is the premier location for our mentoring program. All incoming students are paired with current students. Together they design a study plan for their time at Penn College. The lab can also be used for study sessions and peer-to-peer advising.
Facilities
Counseling Lab
Also reserved for Human Services and Restorative Justice students, this applied learning space is used for mock one-on-one and group counseling sessions—all of which are captured for the future review and can be used as part of a resume. Upper division students play the role of the clients while students taking lower level courses act as counselors.
Featured Video
Leadership challenge course
The challenge course is designed to enhance problem-solving, leadership, teamwork and communication skills for students.
Immersive Learning
Selfcare is vital to the success of human services professionals. As part of a class activity, student Natalie Schrader, led a guided meditation with a focus and peacefulness and mindfulness. Students participating in the activity shared their take on being a Human Services & Restorative Justice major.
Helping Others
“We need to really make time for ourselves. All of us want to help other people, and that's what this activity is centered around, taking care of ourselves so we can help other people.”
– Natalie Schrader
Impactful Moments
“When I first got here, I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do. Dr. Winder sat me down one day and she just said, “tell me your story.” And that was the first time I actually told my story. I believe those were the most impactful moments, just knowing that the faculty cares as much as I do.”
– Jerome Frazier
Experienced Faculty
"One of the real-life scenarios that's really impacted me is crisis intervention. I've really gravitated towards that aspect of this major - learning how to respond to individuals who are in crisis. Some of the professors have had jobs that deal with counseling and they share their experiences with us."
– Skylar Bartholomew
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Feb 21
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, February 219 AM - 3 PM
Apr 26
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 269 AM - 3 PM
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Career Fair Connections
Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Related Programs
Follow your passion
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
National Human Services Organization
The National Human Services Organization has established a code of ethics, which is designed to protect the rights and dignity of human service professionals and their clients. Students are introduced to this early in their coursework and it is reinforced through the internship experience.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Cross-curricular collaboration explores poverty
Monday, February 17, 2025
Building meaningful professional connections
Friday, December 13, 2024
Restorative justice circles boost students' skills
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.
Internship
Your knowledge in practice
Internships are key for career preparation. As part of this curriculum, you’ll participate in two in-depth practical learning internships including 30 hours of observation in the community and a 175-hour internship.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Human service students see firsthand example of civic impact
At Penn College, learning often goes beyond textbooks and into the real world.
More Information
Students must complete all HSJ-designated courses and ENL-designated courses with a grade of 'C' or above. Failure to achieve a grade of 'C' or above in a course after the maximum attempts allowed by College policy, results in withdrawal from the major. Students should work closely with their academic advisors and program faculty to ensure that they are meeting all criteria for satisfactory progress in the program.
Continued progression in the program, to include eligibility for internship courses and graduation, is predicated not only upon satisfactory academic performance, but also upon satisfactory demonstration of professional and ethical responsibility, personal responsibility, and satisfactory demonstration of skills and abilities prerequisite to the ethical delivery of services in the field. For more specific information about the criteria used to evaluate students' progress, a copy of the program manual can be obtained from the School of Business, Arts & Sciences.
The following grading system applies to all HSJ-designated courses for students in the
Human Services & Restorative Justice major:
A= 90-100%
B= 80-89.99%
C= 70 –79.99%
F= Below 70%
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page in our Course Catalog for general requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
The Human Services and Restorative Justice program abides by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) ethical standards, which can be found here . Students in this program are required to complete a 30-hour supervised field experience and a 175-hour internship. Depending on work site requirements, some of the placements may require some or all of the following background checks: completion of standard basic health appraisal form and receipt of Children's Services Protection Act 33 clearance, State Police clearance, and FBI clearances. Please note that we do not assume responsibility for the requirements of any external organization, and we cannot guarantee placements if the necessary clearances are mandated but cannot be secured by the student.
- Ms. Robin Dadzie, Case Management Supervisor, AIDS Resource Alliance
- Mr. Christopher T Kriner, Detective Sergeant - Criminal Investigations, Old Lycoming Township Police Department
- Ms. Amber B Morningstar, YWCA Program Director, YMCA Northcentral PA
- Mr. Zane R Pardoe, Supervisor of Education, USP Lewisburg
- Ms. Penny L Sines, Social Worker II, DOC SCI-Muncy
- Karey Snook, Counselor, Lycoming County Pre-Release Center
- Nicole J Spring, Esquire, Chief Public Defender, Lycoming County Public Defender
- Ms. Rachel Thompson, Workforce Specialist, CareerLink
- Mr. Joseph J Weber, Permanency Services, Unit Supervisor, Lycoming Children & Youth Services
- Mr. Jeffrey P Wheeler, Assistant Clinical Director, White Deer Run - Allenwood
- Ebony Young, Talent Acquisition Manager, Diversified Treatment Alternative Centers