Human Services 

Area of Study: Human Services (formerly Community Mental Health Technology)  
Degree/Certificate: Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services 
Program Description

Human Service workers are the front-line helpers in any community, making a difference every day for people who need it most. The 2-year Human Services associates degree program prepares students for immediate employment  serving a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens. They address a wide range of social needs, such as:
• chemical dependency
• domestic violence
• physical or mental illness
• homelessness

Types of jobs available: 
• Assessment
• Intake worker
• Case management
• Group work
• Activity and program development
• Direct and indirect services
• Outreach worker
• Chemical dependence counselor

 

Generalist or Chemical Dependency Specialist options
 
The Generalist Option of the Human Services program provides students with competencies to enable them to work with a variety of people with various needs. Career opportunities for graduates are in community-based programs, which emphasize practical approaches to problem solving. All graduates of the Human Services program are eligible to receive certification as a Social Work Assistant from the Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board.

The Chemical Dependency Option meets the requirements for the Social Work Assistant Certification, and most of the requirements for the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II, as specified by the Ohio Credentialing Board for Chemical Dependency Professionals. The Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Option of the Human Services program provides students the competencies that enable them to work with people who are chemically dependent. Career opportunities for graduates include employment in a variety of settings ranging from in-patient programs to community-based outpatient and prevention programs. Students in the program can qualify to be a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant after taking 3 credit hours in Chemical dependency course work. Graduates of the program receive a significant number of board recognized hours towards the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDCII) requirements established by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, and are prepared for licensure exams for LCDC II administered by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services


Hands-on learning and practical experience
You will gain field experience working for a total of 525 hours on-site, with clients, at one of more than 60 practicum sites throughout the Greater Cleveland area, under supervision by licensed agency staff and faculty members. This training will teach you the techniques and skills to be employable immediately upon graduation. Many area agencies hire Tri-C Human Services graduates because they are already well trained.

Flexible course schedules
Many Human Services students work full-time or part-time while attending classes at Tri-C. Daytime and nighttime courses offer maximum flexibility.


To meet financial aid requirements, we recommend that students take Human Services courses concurrently with General Education courses. See below for suggested course sequencing.


This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following program outcomes:
Human Services Degree Outcomes.pdf

Program Requirements

Suggested Semester Sequence

First Semester   Credits 

ENG-1010

College Composition I

3

HS-1100 

Foundations of Substance Abuse and Addiction 

3

HS-1300 

Introduction to Human Services 

3

PSY-1010

General Psychology

3

SPCH-1000

Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication

3

 

Total

15

 
  
  
 
 
 

Select one option from below and complete the group of courses in that option:  
 

(a)   Option A
Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Option

Credits 

HS-1200

Treatment Modalities and Diversity Issues in Chemical Dependency

4

HS-1210

Prevention and Chemical Dependency

2

HS-2200

Ethics in Chemical Dependency

3

(b)   Option B
Generalist Option

Credits 

HS-1110

Crisis Intervention and Child Abuse Issues

3

HS-1220

Diagnostic Tools and Legal Considerations

4

HS-2300

Family Theory and Services

4

Program Total Credits

Program Total for Option a

 69-70

Program Total for Option b

 71-72

Notes 

(1)   MATH-1800-1819/2800-2819 & 1820/2820 may not be used to meet this requirement.

(2)   PSY-2070 recommended for students pursuing generalist option, and PSY-2080 recommended for students pursing chemical dependency option.

(C) = Capstone Course

Program Outcome