Human Services A.A.S.

Department: Human Services

Total Credit Hours: 61-62 credits

What Is Human Services?

This degree provides professional preparation for helping careers, understanding human behavior and policy/program development, with intership opportunities that provide real work experience. Through this program individuals learn how to help people overcome obstacles in their lives by developing interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.

Students acquire knowledge of best practice helping strategies to serve individuals, groups and communities experiencing problems related to poverty, abuse, mental and physical illness, disability, crime, unemployment, discrimination, aging and family dysfunction. Students will learn to link people with services such as education or training, financial assistance, child care, shelter, addictions tratment, mental health services and senior services. With this degree students have the educational foundation to succcessfully work in human services positions in both the private and public sectors.

People interested in this program are self-described "people persons". They should possess good verbal and oral communication and problem-solving skills and have a positive attitude about themselves and others.

Occupational Outlook

Because of the multitude of careers in this field, the outlook is varied. Positions that have a bright outlook include child support services worker, family caseworker, patient advocate and youth services specialist. These positions are projected to experience rapid increases in employment with large numbers of job openings over the next several years or are new and emerging occupations in high-growth industries.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook

Salary Outlook

In the state of Missouri, employees working in community and social service occupations earn an average of $39,080 per year, depending on emphasis, education, experience and employer.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, earnings increase significantly as a worker’s degree of education rises.

Student Achievement Indicators

• Annual Human Services Program Evaluation
• Bi-Annual Human Services Program Learning Assessment Report
• Human Services Profile
• Annual Human Services Program Planning Form

Human Services Careers

SCC graduates with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in human services are employed in a broad range of careers including, but not limited to: administrative service manager, camp director, child support services worker, family caseworker, community welfare worker,  patient advocate, social and human service assistant and youth services specialist.

Career options range from working with children and families, people with physical, emotional or intellectual challenges, military veterans, homeless people, struggling communities, law enforcement, as well as many other specific areas of interest to individual students.

Required Courses

Suggested Schedule Planning

Success Stories

Abby Jackson

"I knew from an early age I had a passion for helping others."

Learn More >>

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