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Hello!

Human Services is a distinct field of study just like Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work are.  Many people do not realize that Human Services is a field that is similar to but different from the field of Social Work just like the field of Psychology is similar to but different from the field of Sociology.  The field of Human Services is one of many different types of "helping" disciplines and has its own unique professional code of ethics which can be found through one of its national organizations, the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS).

Students enrolled in the Human Services Technology Program are in the process of earning 73-75 hours worth of college credit toward an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Human Services Technology.  Students take courses that are offered in traditional, hybrid, and online formats.  A significant portion of the contact hours required for this degree can be earned at a distance.

According to the National Organization for Human Services and the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (2006), Human Services is a broadly defined field that focuses on meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, prevention and remediation of problems, commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations, improving service delivery systems by addressing the quality of direct services, and improving accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery.  In earning this degree, students undergo generalist training to assume a diverse range of entry-level professional positions in the human/ social services arena. 

The program emphasizes the practical application of theory, skills training, and the development of a professional self within the context of broad theoretical exposure.  Students will be able to perform several of the functions that social services professionals typically perform, including Social Workers, although they are not earning a degree directly in “Social Work”.

Students learn professional theory, skills, ethics, and values by taking coursework in counseling, interviewing, crisis intervention, group processes, case management, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, the sociology of the family, anatomy and physiology, critical thinking, public speaking, computers, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, psychopathology, diversity, professional standards/ laws/ ethics, and Social Work/ social welfare—among others.

The program’s students are of varied ages and backgrounds.  They come not only from the Asheville-area but also from throughout Western North Carolina.  Many have a successful history of previous work experience-- outside and/ or inside of the human/ social services arena.  A few are bilingual.  They sincerely desire to help others with their problems.

Although the degree is not designed as a transfer degree, some students will go on to pursue advanced academic degrees-- often in one of the following disciplines: Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or Counseling.

The program’s students have a wide range of professional interests, including, but not limited to, health, mental health, substance abuse, developmental delays and disabilities, public assistance/ welfare, case management, civil and criminal justice, domestic violence, homelessness/ housing, grief, death and dying, trauma, abuse and neglect, immigrant-based service delivery, religious-based service delivery, school-based service delivery, recreation-based service delivery, veteran’s issues, women’s issues, vocational training and placement, the elderly, children and families, teens, adults, entry-level counseling, social services management, and outpatient, residential, and inpatient service delivery.   Upon graduation, they should qualify for entry-level employment with local, county, state, federal, nonprofit, for profit, and public social service agencies.

Several of the program’s courses have been pre-approved by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board as ongoing continuing education credit trainings.

If you are interested in learning more about the Program, please contact Megan at 254-1921 x 465. 

We appreciate your interest!