IWU National & Global is launching a human services associate of science degree program starting in August.
The A.S. in human services program is a comprehensive 60 credit hour, two-year program designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in organizations and agencies where social, community and educational services are provided.
The program is offered online through the School of Service and Leadership in the College of Adult and Professional Studies. Students will complete 30 hours of general education courses before entering into the human services coursework. Courses are five weeks long, and are generally taken sequentially, one at a time.
“These courses are completed quickly and they are full of information—and instructed from a faith-based perspective,” Theresa Veach, PhD, director of the department of behavioral sciences, said.
The integrative studies program introduces students to a wide variety of academic disciplines including social work, addictions counseling, psychology and criminal justice. Previously, the program was offered as an associates in integrative studies with a specialization in human services.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social and human services assistants is projected to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average growth for occupations overall.
“Many people want to enter into the helping or service professions but don’t know what field to enter. With this program, students will not only obtain an associate’s degree in human services—and be ready to serve in entry level positions—but they will know specifically which of the helping professions appeal to them the most,” Veach said.
Graduates of the program who wish to continue their education can enter into one of the bachelor’s completion programs such as human services, social work, psychology or addictions. Graduates will have completed all prerequisites for entry into these programs.
Successful graduates in high standing can apply for the associate to master of arts degree with a major in psychology. This degree ‘skips’ the bachelor’s degree; the student is directly accepted into the master of arts in psychology and can choose between specializing in life coaching or in industrial-organizational psychology.
The goal of the associate in human services program is to give students the knowledge necessary to assist individuals, groups and communities toward the betterment of their lives and livelihoods, and to work with persons of diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.