By: Kaecen Paden

Casper College could begin offering a bachelor’s degree in human services in the fall of 2027, but students cannot sign up to pursue the bachelor level yet. The college is taking early steps towards offering the program but still needs final state approval and accreditation before it can become an official degree program.   

In August of 2026, The Wyoming Community College Commission authorized CC to begin the formal process of developing two Bachelor of Applied Science degrees: one in human services and another in agribusiness. Both degrees still need to receive final approvals.    

“For right now, they’re still in the planning process,” said John Ordiway, a psychology instructor and department chair at Casper College.  

The idea behind the human services degree comes partly from a need Ordiway sees in his work outside of the classroom. He and CC Addiction Studies Instructor Kristi Hann have spent years working in mental health and substance use treatment. Ordiway said finding enough providers is a continuing problem, especially when someone needs care quickly.  

“There’s always a need for more providers,” Ordiway said. “There’s always wait lists for people to get into treatment or counseling.”   

Ordiway said that a wait can matter when someone decides they are ready to seek help.  

He said, “If we tell people to wait, then they decide that they don’t need that help later.”  

Ordiway explained that Wyoming’s rural nature is a part of the challenge. People seeking treatment may not have many providers nearby, and existing providers may have waiting lists.   

He said he hopes the proposed program will eventually help increase the number of people prepared to work with mental health and substance use services across the state.   

CC already offers associate degree programs in areas such as addiction studies and social work. The proposed bachelor’s degree would give students another way to continue their education after they complete their associate degree. The human services BAS would be one of the first bachelor’s degree programs awarded by CC. Before moving forward with the proposal, the college surveyed students about their interest in the potential degree. Ordiway said the survey received 291 responses from across the campus. Nearly 60% of those who responded said they would be somewhat or very likely to enroll in a program like the proposed human services degree.   

The survey results show interest among the students who answered, though the feedback cannot establish how many people would actually apply if the program opens. The responses were not limited to just students already studying in the social sciences, Ordiway said.    

Incoming CC freshman Chris Mikels is one student interested in having more options to continue his education at the college. Mikels plans to study psychology, and he chose CC because the institution offers online classes that make it easier for him to work while earning a degree.  

Mikels said, “I would absolutely stay at Casper College through the entire process if it was offered.”  

For Mikels, being able to earn a bachelor’s degree without transferring somewhere else would make continuing his education easier.  

Mikels said, “Not having to relocate and reestablish in a new environment is very helpful.” 

If the degree is approved, students will be able to complete it remotely. Although this means that they would not work entirely online. Ordiway said some classes would meet over live video, and others would require students to take part in discussions with other classmates. Such interactions matter to Ordiway. A person preparing to work with clients should communicate with other people while learning how to do the job. He questioned the idea of earning a degree in a field centered around people without having those conversations in school.   

Ordiway said, “It just seems weird that you could get a degree in counseling and actually never have spoken to people.”    

Completing the degree alone, however, would not complete every requirement for a professional credential. Students pursuing certification would still need to meet Licensing Board Requirements. The proposed degree would also require a practicum and an internship. Ordiway said students could complete that requirement within their own communities. For someone living elsewhere in Wyoming, that could mean building connections with local organizations while still in school.   

Ordiway said, “You’re going to stay where you live within your community.”   

Many students enter human services because they have seen a need close to their home. Giving them a way to study and gain experience remotely where they live could help them continue working in those communities after graduation.   

The human services proposed start date is the fall semester of the 2027 school year. But the next decisions belong to state reviewers and the college’s accreditor. Students may be interested, and faculty members may see a need, but the program cannot move forward as a degree until the approvals are complete.