Human Services

Go to nashuacc.edu/programs for even more details about this and other NCC programs and certificates.

Certificate Overview

Where Theory Meets Practice:

Deeply rooted within the communities and surrounding areas where the program is offered
Students move beyond the classroom by participating in internships available in many of the community-based agencies

Why study Human Services here?

Small class size
Internships
Affordable
Diverse career opportunities in Autism
Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health
Real-world Professors
Ease of Transfer

Career Options

Graduates of the Human Services program may be employed in;

Human services agencies that deal with developmental disabilities
Mental health
Residential treatment
Hospice care
Abuse prevention, and substance abuse

Graduates will be prepared for employment in positions such as;

Service coordinator
Group home manager
Job coach
Vocational instructor, and trainer
Residential living counselor
Community living instructor
Program manager
Site supervisor,
Supported or independent living specialist coordinator
Family support coordinator

Related Programs

Addiction Recovery Support Worker Certificate – Psychology Degree

Program Outcomes

Upon the completion of the degree in Human Services, graduates will be able to:

Communicate effectively, including speaking, writing, and listening to express, transmit and interpret knowledge and ideas.
Research and plan to search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs.
Use interpersonal skills for resolving, conflict, relating to and helping people, such as empathy, genuineness, self-awareness, patience, etc.
Be competent in formal/informal assessment practices to understand the needs and interests of the participant.
Be competent in defining, discussing, and performing the five basic case management functions: assessment, planning, linking, monitoring, and advocacy.
Identify both personal and professional strengths and weaknesses and engage in appropriate self-development activities.
Describe the roles of the various human service professionals in providing services.
Summarize the history of human services in America and identify important persons and movements.
Conduct both directed and non-directed interviews to obtain personal historical information, determine eligibility for services, and conduct a mental status evaluation.
Be able to demonstrate an understanding of ethical principles and apply them to professional practice.
Knowledgeable of the requirements for documentation in the organization and be able to manage these requirements efficiently.
Understand theoretical bases for different interventions as well as initiate, develop and terminate interventions in a manner that enables continuous client growth.

In addition, the graduate will be able to demonstrate competency in the general education outcomes.

Admissions Requirements

A State Police criminal check is the responsibility of students and may be required for clinical fieldwork and/or employment upon request of an agency.

Applicants who have had difficulty with the law depending on the nature of the problem may not be employable or even eligible for fieldwork. Applicants need to discuss these matters in an interview with the Department Chair to determine future direction.

Compliance

A student may be terminated from a course, program, or campus due to major or repeated violations of the Student Code of Conduct (NCC Student Handbook) or standards of professionalism. Students who have failed a field placement course because of evidence of unsafe practice involving actions or non-actions are not eligible for reapplication to the Program. The student may exercise their right to appeal the decision as outlined in the NCC Student Handbook.

Technical Standards

Ability to communicate verbally as a student in classes, and later as a professional in individual and group counseling situations
Sufficient verbal skills and language to: Collaborate with a wide variety of helping professionals in clinical, societal and professional areas; deliver accurate and required information; and to search for information, e.g., questioning
Sufficient writing ability to formulate written assessment, charting notes, reports, etc.
Ability to sustain cognitive integrity in areas of short and long-term memory, areas of written documentation and follow- through of responsibilities
Ability to concentrate on the execution of treatment plans, assigned skills and tasks as well as the integration and communication of this work for both short and long-term periods of time
Ability to work in settings that may lend themselves to frequent interruptions and immediate crisis response management
Ability to cope with a variety of stressors, including people- place occurrences, and demonstrate safe and required care for groups and individuals
Ability to secure transportation to practicum sites and classes
Ability to consistently attend and participate in classes
Ability to demonstrate and maintain organizational skills, time management and professional respect. Ability to adhere to and practice the Human Service Department’s ethical guidelines
A State Police criminal check is the responsibility of students and may be required for clinical fieldwork and / or employment upon the request of an agency. Applicants who have had difficulty with the law depending upon the nature of the problem may not be employable or even eligible for fieldwork. Applicants need to discuss these matters in an interview with the Department Chair to determine future direction.

Additional Program Information

Program Goals

Prepare students for direct service occupations in human service agencies.
Prepare students for further studies through transfer leading to advanced academic degrees and special certifications.
Provide educational opportunities for personal and professional growth to current human services employees.

Program Highlight

Our two internship courses integrate experiential learning opportunities and form the cornerstone of the NCC Human Services program. Students begin to experience success in a different environment using organization, team building, and communication skills. These experiences can be the defining moment for many students as they see the importance of what they are studying and why it is important to continue their education. Students have been able to obtain part-time to full-time positions as a result of their internship training and experience.

Internships -Fieldwork I and Capstone Experience

Students can explore career options working with children, seniors, people with physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities, homeless, domestic abuse, and other populations in need of services.