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Associate of Science in Human Services
The Human Services Degree is a two-year program that prepares you to work as a paraprofessional in the field of social services. The program helps you develop the ability to provide basic social and human services in a variety of fields and enables you to cultivate skills at the technician level to assist professional delivery of social services to individuals, groups, and communities. The Human Services program also offers certificates in the areas of Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Gerontology, and a minor in gerontology.
Admission Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements for admission to the program:- Regular admission to the university
- Completion of at least 12 credits beyond high school, including the required exploratory course, SWK S141 Introduction to Social Work, (must receive a grade of C or above)
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale, (In special cases, you may be admitted with a grade point average under 2.3.)
- Evidence of personal qualifications required for education in human services. Such evidence will be derived from application materials, letters of reference, performance in completed courses, and a personal interview.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of 65 credit hours in the required and elective courses of study
- Attainment of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Attainment of minimum grade of C (2.0) in each of the seven human services degree requirement courses listed above
- Attainment of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 (or its equivalent) in all seven degree requirement courses listed above
Relation to the Bachelor of Social Work Program
If you have completed the requirements for the Associate of Science degree, you may continue your education toward the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree. Most courses taken at this level are transferable to the B.S.W. program.
- General Education Requirements (5 courses)
- ENG W131 English Composition (1 course)
- Arts and humanities (2 courses)
- Biological Sciences, either Human Biology, Biology of Mental Illness, Biological Sex Roles, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology of Addiction, or Behavioral Neuroscience (1 course)
- Mathematics and physical science (1 course) or computer literacy
- Supportive Area Requirements (6 courses)
- At least two courses from any two of the following disciplines: economics, H106 American History II (3), or political science/american government
- At least three additional courses in Behavioral and Social Science, including General Psychology (P103), Introduction to Sociology (S100), and one additional social/behavioral course.
- Human Services Degree Requirements (7 courses)
- S100 Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society (3)
- S141 Introduction to Social Work (3)
- S200 Special Topics in Human Services (3)
- S221 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)
- S231 Generalist Social Work Practice I (3)
- S232 Human Service Skills (6)
- S251 Emergence of Social Services (3)
- Electives
- Selection of specific courses should be made in consultation with your Human Services Advisor, and should make up the remaining balance of required credits.
Certification in Gerontology & Drug Abuse
The Human Services Program offers certification in two areas: gerontology and alcohol and drug abuse. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, are a professional seeking continuing education, and/or are interested in focused studies in either topic, you are open for certification. Each certification provides two options: students currently enrolled in a degree program and professionals employed in the field are eligible for the four course Gerontology Certificate and the five course Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse; individuals not in degree programs and not working in the field are eligible for the seven course Certificates in either Gerontology or Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Certification in either field benefits you by providing a practice-oriented knowledge base through teaching both concepts and applications.
The four and five course certificates require attainment of a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each required human services course.
The seven course certificate requires attainment of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, attainment of a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each required human services course, and attainment of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 in all required human services courses.
Gerontology Certificate
Major objectives of this program are to prepare you for employment in community-based settings which provide services to older persons; increase your awareness of the needs of older adults and the implications of an aging population in American society; provide current information on gerontology policy and practice issues; and facilitate you in their efforts to gain or increase skills and upgrade knowledge in gerontology.
- Four Course Certificate Course Requirements
- H204 Introduction to Gerontology (3 cr.)
- B354 Adult Development and Aging (3 cr.)
- H301 Service Needs of Older Adults (3 cr.)
- H303 Counseling Needs of Older Adults (3 cr.)
- Seven Course Certificate Course Requirements
- General Education Requirement (5 courses)
- ENG W131 Composition I (3)
- Arts and Humanities (SPCH S121 and 1 other course) (6)
- Computer Literacy (2 courses and at least 2 cr.)
- Supportive Area Requirements (5 courses)
- PSY P103 General Psychology (3)
- SOC S100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
- SWK S141 Introduction to Social Work (3)
- At least 2 additional courses in Behavioral and Social Sciences (6)
- Gerontology Courses (7 courses)
- H204 Introduction to Gerontology (3)
- B354 Adult Development and Aging (3)
- H301 Service Needs of Older Adults (3)
- H303 Counseling Needs of Older Adults (3)
- H304 Basic Counseling Skills (3) OR
- H402 Integrative Seminar in Gerontology (3)
- P462 Field Experiences in Human Development (3)
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certificate
Major objectives include the following: prepare you for employment in substance abuse treatment settings; increase your awareness and understanding of alcohol and other drug abuse in American society; provide current information on alcohol and other drug abuse practice and treatment; and gain or upgrade knowledge and skills in working with substance abusers and their families.
Five Course Certificate Course Requirements
- H202 Introduction to Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- H203 Introduction to Alcohol and Drug Abuse II (3)
- H304 Basic Counseling Skills (3) OR
- S231 if an HS/BSW degree student
- Select three courses from the following:
- H205 Treatment Issues in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- HRSV211 Dynamics of Group Behavior (3)
- H302 Psychological Aspects of Alcohol & Drug Abuse (3)
- H323 Social Systems Aspects of Alcohol & Drug Abuse (3)
- HRSV360 Counseling Substance Abusers & Their Families (3)
- H401 Treatment Seminar in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
Seven Course Certificate Course Requirements
- General Education Requirement (5 courses)
- ENG W131 Composition I (3)
- Arts and Humanities (SPCH S121 and 1 other course) (6)
- Computer Literacy (2 courses)
- Supportive Area Requirements (5 courses)
- PSY P103 General Psychology (3)
- SOC S100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
- SWK S141 Introduction to Social Work (3)
- At least 2 additional courses in Behavioral and Social Sciences (6)
- Alcohol and Other Drug Courses (7 courses)
- H202 Introduction to Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- H202 Introduction to Alcohol and Drug Abuse II (3)
- H304 Basic Counseling Skills (3)
- Select four of the following:
- H205 Treatment Issues in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- HRSV211 Dynamics of Group Behavior (3) OR
- H302 Psychological Aspects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- HRSV360 Counseling Substance Abusers and Their Families (3)
- H323 Social Systems Aspects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- H401 Treatment Seminar in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (3)
- P462 Field Experience in Human Development (3)
