The field of Human Services is a dynamic and growing profession. Human Services provide assistance for people in all walks of life and in all stages of human development. Services focus on the individual as a whole and stress care in relation to the individual’s circumstances and social environment.

The Program at NVCC offers an Associate Degree that allows students the opportunity, through directed electives, to focus on the areas of child and family services, disability & mental health, or gerontology. In addition, Certificate Programs are offered in these three areas of focus. The degree program curriculum prepares students for entry level, generalist Human Services practice. Examples of employment opportunities for graduates include case aide, case worker, youth worker, home visitor, shelter worker, parent advocate, residential counselor, and community educator. The program is also designed to provide ease of transfer for students continuing their education at a four-year institution in human services and social work.

Admission to The Program and Special Information

A student may enter the Human Services major by either declaring it upon admission to the College or transferring from another program within the College. As a professional preparation / pre-social work program, successful progress in the major necessitates that the student achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each of the three core Human Services courses before proceeding to the next one (HSE* H101 , HSE* H202 , HSE* H281 ). Among the special characteristics of the Program is the coordination of supervised field work experience with academic studies. In the field work experience, students, under professional supervision, engage in hands-on training in the area of their interest at community agencies.

General Education Core course listings and definitions appear on General Education Core . Placement testing will determine the sequencing of courses. Additional courses may be required. Students are encouraged to meet with a Human Services academic advisor to select the appropriate elective courses based on their career and transfer goals.