Total Semester Hours Required for the Degree: 120 semester hours
Semester Hours Required for Human Services Major: 33 semester hours (24 for all pathways and 9 credit hours specific to each pathway)
Major GPA 2.0
Students may earn up to 9 s.h. of course credit in the major through Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio (PLA). PLA evaluates the college-level knowledge and skills an individual has gained outside the classroom, and determines if and how the knowledge and skills acquired translates to specific college-level courses. PLA awards credit for learning, as well as for experience or time "on the job". Students who wish to earn course credit through PLA must consult with the academic advisor for their academic program and follow the Department of Human Services approved process.
1. Students focusing on early childhood may consider completing the traditional pathway which involves an on-campus practicum experience (HSL 3853: Practicum in Child Development).
2. Early childhood administration pathway. This path requires the completion of a practicum experience at听an early childhood program facility (HSL 4225 - Practicum in Early Childhood Program Administration) rather than HSL 3853. This degree path leads to Gateways ECE Level V.
3. Students choosing an online route may choose the online pathway听which requires the course HSL 4770听(Family Budgeting & Debt Management)听rather than a practicum experience offered under the courses HSL 3853 and HSL 4225. NOTE: Courses outside the major may not be offered online.
(See footnote 1)
OR
(See footnote听1)
Students following the Early Childhood Program Administration Online Pathway will be eligible for the Gateways Level V ECE credential through Gateways to Opportunity.
(See footnote听1)
OR
OR
(This course is required for Human Services Traditional and online pathway students. The only Human Services students who could count this course as an elective are the early childhood program administration pathway students).
OR
(See footnote听1)
1 Check course catalog for prerequisites
Coursework can lead to Gateways Level V ECE credential. Adheres to the requirements of the ECACE Act around the EC AAS Transfer and includes 6 or more semester hours of credit for those students who come in with a CDA (unless that credit has already been provided or the competencies have been met through courses taken).
Major GPA requirement of 2.0 is based on all Human Services听courses taken at EIU.
Depending on Foreign Language and Math Placement, electives may be needed to meet 120 semester hours.
听
Information sourced from the 2026-2027 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.
