Program Overview
Northwest State’s human services program is a 2-year, associate degree program that includes both classroom and hands-on learning experiences. Graduates who successfully complete the program are qualified to apply for the Registered Social Work Assistant credential, which prepares them for entry-level employment in the human services field. Graduates may also choose to transfer their credits into a bachelor’s degree program.
Students in NSCC’s human services program gain a strong foundation in social and behavioral sciences in the classroom before heading into the field for supervised practical experiences at local social service agencies. Because graduates will work with fragile populations such as children and the elderly, students must meet all program requirements outlined in the human service student handbook.
Employment Outlook
Employment in the human services field is expected to grow faster than average through 2022 due to an increase in the elderly population and an increased demand for social, mental health and substance abuse treatment. Graduates of the human services program may seek work as social workers, social and community service managers or substance abuse/behavioral counselors. Those who continue their education to earn a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree will find more opportunities within the human services field.
Program Standards
NSCC’s program meets the standards for the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board Certification as a social work assistant.
About Human Services Workers
What do human services assistants do?
What do social workers do?
Social Work Assistant Endorsement
The Human Services program is endorsed by the Ohio Coalition of Associate Degree Human Service Educators (OCADHSE)
With this endorsement, each student who completes the approved curriculum classes and graduates with an associate degree in human services from the Northwest State Community College will meet the requirements set forth by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
This makes graduates eligible to be licensed as a Social Work Assistance in the state of Ohio.