Human Services, Pre-Social Work Specialization, AAS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

PURPOSE: This two-year degree prepares students for jobs in human services. Graduates will be prepared to work in the fields of mental health and social services. This specialization is intended for students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.

CREDENTIALS: An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a major in a career-technical area that takes two years for full-time students to complete. Although the purpose of an AAS degree is to gain skills for employment, some transfer institutions may accept some or all of the courses from an AAS major.

TRANSFER INFORMATION: This program is designed for transfer. Students should consult with their advisors to ensure that they select general electives that best prepare them for the specific requirements of their intended transfer college or university programs of study. More information can also be found at www.jtcc.edu/academics/transfer/

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Students must meet JTCC admission requirements. Students may need to complete placement tests in English and mathematics. Visit www.jtcc.edu/placement for all course placement options. If students have deficiencies in English and/or mathematics, JTCC offers developmental and prerequisite courses to prepare students for the curriculum. New students should visit the Advising Center and returning students their faculty advisor for more information.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an intermediate level of competency in the following skills:

Describe human services theory, vocabulary, and skills needed in the field.
Identify the purpose of human services and its ongoing role in working with individuals, families, groups, communities and society.
Integrate human services theory and skills into practice.
Recognize the various types of addictions and the differences among them.
Exhibit the skills needed to function as a mental health worker, including problem-solving, goal-setting, and implementation of strategies and evaluation techniques to interact with a variety of clients.

Required Courses

SDV 100 - College Success Skills 1 credit
ENG 111 - College Composition I 3 credits
MTH 154 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 credits
HMS 100 - Introduction to Human Services 3 credits
HMS 251 - Substance Abuse I 3 credits
PSY 200 - Principles of Psychology 3 credits
ENG 112 - College Composition II 3 credits
BIO 101 - General Biology I 4 credits
HIS 101 - History of Western Civilization I 3 credits Additional Course Options: HIS 102 , HIS 111 , HIS 112 , HIS 121 , HIS 122
MEN 101 - Mental Health Skill Training I 3 credits
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology 3 credits
CST 100 - Principles of Public Speaking 3 credits Additional Course Option: ENG 210
MEN 102 - Mental Health Skill Training II 3 credits
MTH 245 - Statistics l 3 credits Additional Course Option: BIO 102 (Meet with faculty advisor)
PHI 220 - Ethics 3 credits
SOC 200 - Principles of Sociology 3 credits
ENG 241 - Survey of American Literature I 3 credits Additional Course Options: ENG 242 , ENG 243 , ENG 244 , ENG 251 , ENG 252
SPA 101 - Beginning Spanish I 4 credits Additional Course Options: FRE 101 , ENG 251 , ENG 252 , FRE 102 , GEO 220 , HIS 111 , HIS 112 , PLS 241 , REL 230 , SPA 102
MEN 190 - Coordinated Practice 3 credits
MEN 196 - On-Site Training 3 credits
SOC 211 - Principles of Anthropology I 3 credits

Total Minimum Credits to Complete: 62-64

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements can be found in course details.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete their ENG, MTH, and SDV requirements first.

It is strongly recommended that students complete all developmental coursework in English before enrolling in HMS 100.

Students should regularly meet with their faculty advisor and check their advisement report by accessing the Student Information System (SIS) through the myTyler portal.

Students who plan to transfer to VCU or VSU must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better to transfer to their respective BSW programs. Students must also maintain a grade of “B” or better in the following courses: HMS 100, MEN 101, MEN 102, MEN 190 and MEN 196.

The coordinated practice courses, MEN 190 and MEN 196, are co-requisites and must be taken in the same semester. Students engage in practical hands-on training consisting of 100 hours in outside agencies. All coordinated practice placements must be pre-approved by the course instructor and Program Head. Students are expected to interview for and be accepted into a practicum prior to the first day of their MEN 190 and MEN 196 classes.

Students entering the public or private sectors of human services will be subjected to criminal background and sex offender registry checks and a TB screening as a condition of their placement in a training/practicum site. Students will be expected to cover any costs incurred for these procedures. Depending on the training/practicum site, additional tests may be required.

Students who are convicted felons or are on the sex offender registry in any state will not be able to secure internship sites. They will be unable to complete the requirements of this Human Services degree.

Students who are 18 years of age or younger will be unable to secure the required internship. They will be unable to complete the requirements of this Human Services degree.

Additional Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Transfer Requirements:

Students who plan to transfer to VCU School of Social Work will require one of the following Humanities courses: Religion (REL230), or ENG 241, ENG 242, ENG 251 or ENG 252 or PHI 101.

Students who plan to transfer to VCU School of Social Work must take ENG 210 Advanced Composition.

Students who plan to transfer to VCU School of Social work must take a foreign language. VCU does not accept Language course CLEP. Students should consult with their faculty advisors about appropriate language courses. Sign Language is an acceptable elective for VCU.

Additional Virginia State University (VSU) Transfer Requirements:

Students planning to transfer to the VSU Department of Social Work must take CST 100 Principles of Public Speaking.

Students planning to transfer to VSU must take an English Literature course.

Students who plan to transfer to VSU Department of Social Work may take a global studies course in place of a foreign language. Global Studies course options: HIS 111, HIS 112, ENG 253, 254, PLS 241, REL 230, GEO 220.

Students planning to transfer to VSU must complete a 3 credit, SOWK 260: History of Social Welfare (1600 to the present) course as a prerequisite to admission into the Department of Social Work at VSU.