Human Services Degree (HS)

This program is for those who wish to build a rewarding career helping others who are experiencing personal and socialization problems. Opportunities in this field are excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, human services is one of the fastest growing fields. The Human Services Degree program will prepare you for entry-level positions in social services or for transfer to four-year colleges or universities to pursue human services, psychology, social work, sociology, or other related majors.

Campus/format: This degree can be completed during the day or evening at the Gardner or Leominster Campus. Ninety-five percent of this program can be completed online.

Helpful hints: Volunteer opportunities, service learning, and civic engagement components are suggested as ways of enhancing classroom learning.

Transfer options: Joint Admissions agreements exist with state colleges and universities including Fitchburg State, Mass College of Liberal Arts, and UMASS Amherst and Boston. Articulation agreements exist with Cambridge College, Charter Oak State College, Hesser College, and the University of Phoenix. Other popular transfer choices include Anna Maria College and Worcester State College. Consult with the transfer adviser early to maximize your transfer options. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

Special requirements: A Criminal/Sexual Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) check is required for student interns. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: Mental health assistant, case manager, intake specialist, community organizer, counselor, domestic violence worker, residential staff and house manager, advocate, substance abuse worker, social service aide, and a wide variety of related careers.

Earning Potential: $19,220 - $30,900 per year.

*PER130 is recommended for transfer
Elective courses by abbreviation

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*PSY105 strongly recommended, may be taken concurrently
**Note: PER130 is recommended for transfer
***Electives: ANT111, ASL101, 102, CHC101, 105, 108, 110, 220, CJU131, 232, 250, 254, 260, DSI109, 113, ECE101, 102, 103, 104, 114, 124, HST142, 145, 147, 245, 250, PSY143, 244, 246, 280, 290, SOC212, 129, 206, 208, 210, SPA109, 110, 209, 210.
†45 credits earned toward the Human Services Degree including ENG102, HST101, 140, PSY105, 110, 240, SOC103.

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from this program students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Advocate for people with whom you work through knowledge of community resources in the human services network.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of a variety of populations including individuals who are chemically dependent, mentally disabled, developmentally disabled, or abused.
3. Communicate effectively in interviewing and counseling situations.
4. Explain and evaluate the functions of the various levels of professions in human services; know the organizational structure and funding sources of human services at the federal, state, and local levels.
5. Analyze major social issues, social problems, and current events that affect human services.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic methods used to evaluate people with mental health and developmental disabilities diagnoses.
7. Explain, analyze, and evaluate common treatment approaches, including key concepts, goals of therapy, unique contributions, and limitations of various treatment/supportive modalities.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts of normal and abnormal development and descriptions of different types of abnormal behavior, theories of causation, and treatment approaches and supportive models.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical roots of human services.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of how major physical, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental patterns create issues, problems, and personality characteristics in people with whom you work.
11. Demonstrate awareness of one’s individual strengths and potentials from both a personal and professional level, and analyze personal and interpersonal values, respect for rights, privileges, and motives.
12. Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical standards in human services.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate information either in spoken, printed, signed or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze and draw conclusions from data.
4. Comprehend the spoken word.
5. Perceive and differentiate individual behaviors.
6. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
7. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.