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How do I get an Associate's Degree in Human Services?

Jodee Redmond
Jodee Redmond

To get an associate’s degree in Human Services, an individual will need to complete a two-year program offered by a college. Many programs include an internship component, which allows students to gain practical experience before they complete the requirements for the degree. Human services refers to the field of people providing assistance to others in need. Graduates from this program can find work in entry-level positions as social worker assistants or social and human services assistants. Graduates can find work with agencies dealing with clients with mental health issues or developmental disabilities. They can also work with welfare departments and community service agencies.

Prospective students interested in completing an associate’s degree in Human Services can choose to study onsite or remotely. The advantage of studying on a college campus is that the student has a structured program to follow. He or she benefits from interacting directly with instructors and fellow students while working through the courses required to graduate.

A mortarboard and diploma for an associate's degree in human services.
A mortarboard and diploma for an associate's degree in human services.

A person who chooses to work online on an associate’s degree in Human Services has the flexibility to work on his or her studies at any time that is convenient for them. With this option, a student can work full-time and still progress toward getting a degree. The courses are similar to the ones that are on a college campus, and a degree received through an online program is recognized by employers in the same manner as one bestowed by a brick and mortar institution.

Required courses include ones in psychology, sociology and counseling. Abnormal psychology, girst aid, and crisis intervention are also included in the curriculum for an associate’s degree in Human Services. Courses in English composition and mathematics must also be taken in order to graduate.

Before choosing a specific program, a prospective student should consider his or her choice carefully. The Internet can help provide information about the institutions offering this program, both online and on campus. The individual will need to consider whether he or she would learn best in a classroom setting or remotely.

Cost is another factor that should be considered when choosing an associate’s degree in Human Services. Studying remotely will be the less expensive choice, but this method of getting an education requires a high degree of discipline to stay on track. Prospective students should also ask about available financial aid to help them pay for their education, as well as the placement rate for graduates before making a decision.

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    • A mortarboard and diploma for an associate's degree in human services.
      By: Matthew Benoit
      A mortarboard and diploma for an associate's degree in human services.