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Purpose: The two-year associate degree in Human Services is designed to prepare students to assume entry-level positions in the public, private, and non-profit human services sector.

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following types of employers: childcare agencies, hospitals, mental retardation agencies, rehabilitation agencies, mental health clinics, and probation departments.

Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission

Program Notes: In addition to the general college curricular admission requirements, an interview with the program head is recommended. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for a diverse client and service delivery system.  The program also provides for upgrading the knowledge and skills of persons already employed in human services. Students should consult their faculty advisor or a counselor to discuss educational goals and objectives, employment, course electives, internship requirements, and potential sites for internships.

All students in the program should take the core curriculum courses in sequence as listed in the catalog. Students who receive a final grade lower than "C" in any of the core courses should repeat the course before taking further courses in the core curriculum. Students who are having academic difficulty should discuss their academic progress with a counselor or faculty advisor.

A coordinated internship in a human service agency is a required in the fourth semester of the curriculum. Students will select and interview in a human services agency that is compatible with their specific interests and complete a 130-hour internship.  Students are expected to provide their own transportation to these agencies.

The purpose of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree curriculum is to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Four-year college and university transfer opportunities for Associate of Applied Science degrees, if existing, are usually very specific in nature. Students may, however, substitute some courses in the AAS degree curriculum with courses that generally transfer to senior institutions. Students should consult their advisor at the earliest possible date for further guidance and are advised to get assurances in writing in advance from the institution to which they wish to transfer.

Computer Competency Requirement: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 115. Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 115. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.