Associate of Applied Science in Human Services

Description and Outcomes

The Associate of Applied Science in Human Services program draws from multiple disciplines, such as health services, psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice, to help prepare you to meet the complex challenges of the twenty-first century in the growing field of human services.

The program is designed to help you gain the introductory skills, knowledge, and attitudes to assess the situations of the most vulnerable in our society in order to provide services that respond to the needs of clients. Blending theory and practice, the curriculum teaches you how to critically evaluate your social world as you explore the public and private policies that drive the day-to-day operations of human service agencies in this country, and how you can best intervene on behalf of the clients you will serve. The program is designed to provide a solid foundation in human services principles that can be applied in areas such as mental health, social services, education, rehabilitation, and group and community work, and workplaces including nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics.

Refer to the Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams section for important program disclosure information.

Program Length

The Associate of Applied Science in Human Services program consists of a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded an associate of applied science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

  1. Knowledge and Skill Base: Identify foundational knowledge of the theoretical bases, best practices, and historical and current trends related to the human services profession.
  2. Planning and Evaluation Skills: Apply theory and skills to identify, plan, and implement interventions involving client needs and delivery systems in the human services profession.
  3. Values and Ethics: Explore the professional, ethical, and legal values, standards, and practices of the human services profession.
  4. Information and Systems Management: Apply information and skills appropriate to the delivery of human services to individuals in the community.
  5. Diversity and Global Awareness: Discuss the importance of culture, gender, diversity, and global perspectives in the delivery of human services.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

Optional certifications may be available, such as the Human Services - Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) credential. You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

This program is a member of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) and adheres to their curriculum standards.

The coursework in this program fulfills the requirements to sit for the exam to become an HS-BCP. Please note that you must meet post-degree experience requirements in order to earn the optional HS-BCP credential.
 

The Center for Credentialing & Education can be contacted at:

3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, NC 27403-3660
Tel: 336-482-2856