Human Services Associate
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The Human Services field covers a wide range of areas. Each area has as its primary goal enabling people to find
solutions to the complex social and psychological problems they face in everyday living. The program at South Suburban College (SSC) prepares students for challenging and satisfying work
with individuals, families, groups, and communities so that social functioning may be enhanced and the quality of life improved.
A typical program of study consists of 63 credit hours or coursework that may be taken either on a full-time or part-time basis. The program of study is set up so that all students
enrolled in the Human Services Program complete a common core of courses and choose an area of concentration from one of the five focus areas. These include Social Work, Mental Health,
Substance Abuse, Elder Care or Sign Language. Each focus area has a variety of theory courses and two internship courses in a local human service agency which provides students an
opportunity to develop and hone the practice skills needed to be an effective human service worker. Seminars are included as part of the internship experience.
Program graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
degree. Some graduates find employment opportunities in their area of concentration that may include social service agencies, schools, hospitals, clinics, residential programs and
sheltered care facilities. Using a holistic approach, workers are engaged in assessing the clientx92s psychosocial needs, planning alternative intervention strategies, establishing
personal and social management plans, and evaluating the success of these actions. Some program graduates transfer to senior institutions to complete a baccalaureate degree. Salaries and
responsibilities vary according to the work setting, education and experience.
What will I learn in
class?
Whether you're interested in starting your career in human services or enhancing current knowledge and skills for a job promotion, South
Suburban College's Human Services Associate program can prepare you for the complexities of addressing the psycho-social needs of others. In addition to basic general education
coursework, specialized human services classes will help you to develop entry-level skills in interpersonal and group dynamics, needs assessment, and intervention strategies. In addition,
two internship experiences allow you to apply theory in selected clinical settings. As a student in the Human Services Associate program, you will complete two semesters of core courses.
Then, you can select from one of five option areas to complete your programs. Options include social work, mental health (psychology), substance abuse counseling, elder care, sign
language, and domestic violence counseling. The option you choose should reflect your choice of employment settings after
graduation.
Can I start with just a few courses and work toward a degree or
certificate?
Yes, South Suburban College's Human Services Associate program is
struc
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