Associate Degree in Human Services

The Human Services AS degree program prepares students to provide information, support, care, and advocacy in a variety of Human Services settings. As part of the learning experience, students explore the Human Services generalist roles as they advocate and help individuals, families, and communities.

Quick Facts

Overview

Students in the Human Services AS program gain foundational experience in the Human Services field through a variety of classes, including Basic Counseling Skills, Multicultural Awareness in Human Services, Crisis Assessment and Intervention, Group Processes, and more. In addition to the broad coursework, students will have experiences with Human Services agencies and clients through classes and an internship.

Delivery Method: In-person, Hybrid

Important Links

Human Services AS Curriculum PDF

Human Services Course Outlines and Descriptions

Human Services Weekend College Course Rotation Schedule PDF

Free College Tuition - North Star Promise Scholarship

Time to Complete

The Human Services AS degree program can be completed in four semesters. Transferring credits into NHCC may result in the program taking less time. Taking classes on a part-time basis will require additional semesters.

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Costs

Tuition & Fees:
$210.86 per credit (60 credits)
$220.48 per fully online credit

Tuition Details

What You Will Learn

• Use skills and concepts related to the work of a Human Services Professional such as assessment, interviewing, documentation, and group facilitation.

• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and aptitude when working with clients.

• Acknowledgement of the systems that influence and impact an individual's circumstance such as family dynamics, mental health, and socioeconomic status.

• Building relationships with clients and service providers through Service Learning and Internship opportunities.

After NHCC

After completing the Human Services AS degree, students can pursue work in the field, or continue their education. This degree has an articulation agreement and transfers seamlessly to Metropolitan State University for their Human Services BS Program.

What is Human Services?

Human Services professionals have a significant impact on society. They provide for the basic needs of a person, family or community. These needs range from finding resources, such as food and shelter, to assisting with mental health, addictions, or simple life skills such as setting and achieving goals. Human service professionals help their clients attain self-sufficiency in a professional, service-oriented manner.

Human Services Program Highlights

The program prepares students to provide information, support, care, and advocacy in a variety of human service settings.
Hands-on learning includes facilitating educational groups, service learning opportunities, and internship experiences.
Students have the option to enter the workforce or continue their education through a seamless transfer to Metro State.

Career Outlook

After completing the Human Services program, students will have the skills necessary to enter the workforce or increase their career options by continuing their education with a bachelor’s or master's degree.

Potential Job Titles

Associate degree:

Case Manager
Program Coordinator
Youth Worker
Resource Specialist
Employment Counselor
Advocate

Bachelor's & master's degree:

Program Manager
Group Home Director
Substance Abuse Counselor
Social Worker
Human Services Program Rep
Behavioral Specialist

Where NHCC Grads Work

Avenues for Youth
Hennepin County Teen Hope Pathway
Integrity Living Options
Lutheran Social Services of MN
Mentor Network
Methodist Hospital
Shelter Care for Kids
The Retreat

Student Perspective

Studying at NHCC has helped me understand that crises affect people of all races and cultural backgrounds at any time. I’ve also learned Human Service professionals do not fix anyone’s problems, rather they assist people facing those problems in a manner that respects their culture and religious beliefs.

Isaac - Human Services Student

“I have learned an enormous amount about human services and working with people, and I feel confident in my abilities to do so, whether it’s working with victims of trauma, elderly, or those dealing with family problems. The instructors are extremely supportive, pushing us to go out of our comfort zones for us to see what we are truly capable of.”
– Melissa, Human Services Student

NHCC's tuition is among the most affordable in Minnesota.

Graph showing the costs of various colleges with NHCC as the lowest cost

Financial Aid

Scholarships are money you don't have to repay
Grants are money you don't have to repay

Free College Tuition

The North Star Promise scholarship program provides free college tuition to eligible students. Find out if you might be eligible.

Program Roadmaps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Human Services Curriculum

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Curriculum

Print Curriculum

Program Courses: Science Foundation
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
BIOL 1130	Human Biology with a Lab	View-BIOL 1130	n/a	4

Program Courses: FYE
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
FYE 1020	First Year Experience: How to College	View-FYE 1020	n/a	2

Program Courses: Human Services Core Curriculum
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
HSER 1100	Introduction to Human Services and Social Work	View-HSER 1100	n/a	3
HSER 1200	Multicultural Awareness in Human Services	View-HSER 1200	n/a	3
HSER 1300	Crisis Assessment and Intervention	View-HSER 1300	n/a	3
HSER 1400	Basic Counseling Skills	View-HSER 1400	n/a	3
HSER 1500	Group Processes	View-HSER 1500	n/a	3
HSER 1700	Family Functions and Interactions	View-HSER 1700	n/a	3
HSER 1800	Mental Disorders Through the Life Span	View-HSER 1800	n/a	3
HSER 1900	Current Human Services Topics	View-HSER 1900	n/a	3
HSER 2100	Human Services Seminar	View-HSER 2100	n/a	1
HSER 2101	Human Services Internship	View-HSER 2101	n/a	3

General Education Courses
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
COMM 1310	Intercultural Communication	View-COMM 1310	n/a	3
PHIL 1220	Health Care Ethics	View-PHIL 1220	n/a	3
PSYC 1160	Introduction to Psychology	View-PSYC 1160	n/a	4
SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology	View-SOC 1110	n/a	3
ENGL 1200	Gateway College Writing or	View-ENGL 1200	n/a	4
ENGL 1201	College Writing I	View-ENGL 1201	n/a	4
ENGL 1202	College Writing II or	View-ENGL 1202	n/a	2
ENGL 1203	College Writing II with Workshop	View-ENGL 1203	n/a	2

MnTC Electives
7 credits from MnTC Goal Areas 4, 6 10

NHCC Residency and GPA
15 Credits must be earned at NHCC

Electives
Additional credits, if needed, to reach 60 credits

Total Credits Required

Program Overview

2024-2025

This degree has an articulation agreement to Metropolitan State University for their Human Services BS Program.

Program Maps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Career Opportunities

Information on careers, including career descriptions, salary data, and employment outlook is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and O*Net Online website.

Transfer Information

If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information

Degree Information

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is intended for students whose primary goal is to complete the credentials for a specific career and/or prepare for transfer to complete a bachelor's degree at a college or university with whom North Hennepin Community College has an articulation agreement. The A.S. degree provides a balance of general education courses and the required scientific, professional or technical courses in the degree program.

A student shall:

Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits as required in the program, with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College. Specific programs may have additional requirements or a higher minimum grade point average.
Earn a minimum of 15 semester credits at North Hennepin Community College. A student must complete at least 50% of career specific courses at North Hennepin Community College.
Earn 30 credits in at least 6 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) goal areas.
Earn 30 professional/technical credits.
Have four years to complete the graduation requirements as published in the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog published during the four year period preceding their graduation.

Completion of an A.S. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Developmental Courses Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.

Accreditation

North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
1-800-621-7440

Minnesota Human Services Background Check

Completion of a current Minnesota Human Services Background Check including fingerprints is required for this program. If an applicant has been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offense, they should investigate the impact that the charge or conviction may have on their chances of employment and the student's chances to obtain federal, state and other higher education financial aid ( by Minnesota Statute 135A. 157). If the applicant refuses or is disqualified as a result of the background study, the applicant will be unable to successfully complete the requirements of the program.

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