Human Services

The Human Services Associate in Science degree is designed to prepare students to enter the highly demanding field of human services to provide quality care and support. Students will gain knowledge of human service delivery systems; intervention strategies and case management techniques; communication skills for working with individuals, groups, and diverse populations; ethical and legal standards of practice; and personal and interpersonal skills needed to manage stress and increase wellness. This degree is designed to prepare students for employment as Human Service counselors, workers, and aides in areas of social services, vocational rehabilitation, mental health, child and family services, support services for seniors and people with disabilities and educational facilities, and to provide additional training and skills for career advancement to currently employed paraprofessional human service workers.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate communications skills [verbal, non-verbal, and written] that insure they can work effectively with clients and other professionals within the community.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior in a variety of challenging situations.
• Demonstrate respect and inclusivity with people from diverse backgrounds and communities, including, but not limited to, cultural elements, gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation/identification, religion, ability/disability, and socio-economic status.
• Demonstrate skills and abilities and appropriately apply knowledge to work settings and situations.

Required Courses for Major

†To earn an Associate degree, students will complete at least 60 units of degree-applicable coursework, including required courses for the major (listed above), General Education, and Graduation Requirements.