Courses and Requirements
This associate in science degree program in Human Services is designed to give students a solid foundation in the principles, theories and skills needed to provide services as a Human Service Practitioner. Graduates have the essential skills to work in a range of settings with both adults and children with mental illness, developmental disability and/or substance abuse. The program prepares graduates to promote and respect the dignity of all individuals and to be sensitive to cultural diversity. Supervised clinical experiences are integral to the program and afford opportunity to grow as a person and as a professional. The program contains the National Community Support Skill Standards and is accredited by the Council for Standard in Human Service Education. A minimum of 63 credit hours are required for graduation.
Courses with an “HUS” prefix are generally restricted to students enrolled in the Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate,the Community Support Human Services Practitioner Certificate, the Direct Support Certificate or the Human Services Associate Degree. HUS 101, the introductory course, is open to any NECC student who meets the proficiency requirements. HUS 171, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, is open to students with a major in criminal justice, as well as those students in the human services programs. Any requests for exceptions to this policy need to be addressed to the course instructor or Program Coordinator.
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all HUS courses in order to graduate.
Starting in the fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.
Additional Admissions Criteria:
Enrollment Services will provide additional admissions criteria for this program. All admission criteria is available on the NECC website (PDF).
CORI/CHRI/SORI:
Students interested in participation in this academic program may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.
Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for their careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.
Courses
Requirements:
| ART100 | Introduction to the Creative Experience | 3 | |
| BIO101 | Human Biology | 3 | Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| GOV101 | American Government & Politics | 3 | |
| HUS101 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 | |
| HUS103 | Community Resources and Client Populations | 3 | |
| HUS170 | Modalities of Treatment | 3 | |
| HUS201 | Group Dynamics | 3 | |
| HUS202 | Behavior Management Principles & Techniques | 3 | |
| HUS250 | Seminar in Human Services | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive Written Communication Intensive |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY207 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
Select ONE of the following: (4 credits)
| HUS291 | Human Services Practicum II | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| HUS192 | HUS Practicum II in Alcohol/Drug Abuse Services | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
BIO101: Transferring students may need to also take BIO102 lab
Courses with Prerequisites: ENG102, HUS103, HUS170, HUS190, HUS191, HUS201, HUS202, HUS250, HUS291, HUS292, PSY207
Courses with Co-requisites: HUS103, HUS250
CORI/SORI/CHRI courses: HUS190, HUS191, HUS291, HUS292
Select ONE of the following: (4 credits)
| HUS190 | Human Services Practicum I | 4 | |
| HUS191 | HUS Practicum I in Alcohol/Drug Abuse Services | 4 | |
Electives:
| Computer Elective |
3-4 |
CIS110-299 |
| Sociology Elective |
3 |
|
| Program Elective |
3 |
ANT101, GEO101, GOV102, HIS121, HIS122, LIT271, LIT272, SPN111, SPN112, SPN201 or any other course approved as Global Awareness Intensive. |
| Free Electives |
6 |
Those students intending to transfer to a 4-year program will benefit from speaking to an academic advisor in regard to elective choices. |
Program Notes
Students are prepared to work as generalists and to address issues related to mental illness, mental retardation, substance abuse, child welfare and homelessness among others. Practicum courses give students the opportunity to gain experience in the field and to integrate that work experience with their academic learning.
Helpful Hints
Students are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator with any questions or concerns about the CORI/SORI/CHRI process. Those with legal issues in their background will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records.
In order to insure the maximum transfer of credits, students who wish to pursue a four-year degree are strongly recommended to consult with the Program Coordinator before selecting any electives.
Recommended Course Sequence Human Services Associate Degree
Year 1
Fall
| BIO101 | Human Biology | 3 | Science Technology Intensive |
| CIS110-299 | Computer Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| HUS101 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 | |
| HUS103 | Community Resources and Client Populations | 3 | |
Spring
| BIO111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| HUS170 | Modalities of Treatment | 3 | |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
Year 2
Fall
| GOV101 | American Government & Politics | 3 | |
| | | |
| HUS190 | Human Services Practicum I | 4 | |
| OR | | |
| HUS191 | HUS Practicum I in Alcohol/Drug Abuse Services | 4 | |
| | | |
| HUS201 | Group Dynamics | 3 | |
| PSY207 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
Spring
| ART100 | Introduction to the Creative Experience | 3 | |
| HUS202 | Behavior Management Principles & Techniques | 3 | |
| HUS250 | Seminar in Human Services | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive Written Communication Intensive |
| | | |
| HUS291 | Human Services Practicum II | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| OR | | |
| HUS192 | HUS Practicum II in Alcohol/Drug Abuse Services | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| | | |
| Sociology Elective | 3 | |
Graduates of the Human Services Associate degree may directly enter the workforce as a beginning professional or they may transfer to a four year program. We do have transfer agreements with a variety of public and private area colleges and universities. The broad-based skills of this program provide a foundation for a wide range of professional pursuits including social work, guidance counseling, labor negotiations, human resources, vocational, mental health or rehabilitation counseling.
Graduates are also eligible to pursue licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a licensed social work assistant (LSWA) and to apply for the credential of Human Services Board Certified Practitioner offered by the National Organization for Human Services.