Human Services

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

If you are not already an active Tri-C student, you must first apply to the college. If you are interested in more than one health careers program, you must submit a separate health careers application for each program.  You may only apply to three programs at one time.

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 associate 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 Dependency 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, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
• The Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Option of the Human Services program meets the requirements for the Social Work Assistant Certification, and most of the requirements for the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDC II) licensure, as specified by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. 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. Graduates of the program receive a significant number of board recognized hours towards the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II requirements established by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, and are prepared for the licensure exam for the LCDC II.

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 of 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.