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Human Services

Put your heart into your work. Chemeketa offers credentials to prepare you for a career helping people. Scholarships are available for this program.

topics Service Professions

Skills & InterestHelping People

CareersSocial Sciences

  • Chemeketa International Students
  • Poised Woman at Table
  • Graduation student with family

Why choose Human Services?

The Human Services degrees are limited enrollment programs that admit students fall term. An application for admission to the program is required. 

You can apply for our post-baccalaureate addiction counselor certification at any time. The National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors identifies our addiction studies program as an education provider.

What will you learn?

You will have the opportunity to gain the skills and credentials necessary for this caring profession. Instruction takes place in the classroom and in practice with clients. By completing the AAS degree and the ACCP certificate you should be able to –

  • Describe the nature of human systems: individual, group, organization, community, and society and their major interactions
  • Describe the conditions that promote or limit optimal functioning in the major human systems
  • Identify and select interventions that promote client growth and goal attainment
  • Plan, implement and evaluate interventions
  • Select interventions that are congruent with the values of ones self, clients, the employing organization, and the human services progression
  • Use process skills to plan and implement services 
  • Adapt assessment skills and interventions to a variety of settings
  • Comprehend and recognize the worth and uniqueness of the individual, including race, culture, ethnicity, gender, religion, learning style, abilities, sexual orientation, age, social class and other expressions of diversity

If you complete the Addiction Studies degree and the Addiction Counselor Preparation certificate should be able to –

  • Describe, identify, assess and treat substance use disorders 

What will you do?

Graduates are employed in occupations such as –

  • Services to seniors
  • Department of Human Services
  • Adult and juvenile corrections
  • Employment services
  • Crisis intervention services
  • Services to people with physical and/or emotional challenges
  • Addiction studies graduates are prepared to work in public and private agencies treating chemically dependent people and their families
  • Addiction Studies Associate of Applied Science

    The Addiction Studies degree program prepares students to sit for the Addiction Counselor Certification Board examination. Learn more about the addiction studies field and career opportunities at the Northwest Frontier Addiction Technology Transfer Center

    The two-year program combines academic work with twenty-five credits of field work practicum. The Addiction Studies option requires 15 of the 25 practicum credits to be completed in the addiction area. The total number of credits for the two-year professional technical program is 99.

    If interested in getting started, please complete the interest form, and we will reach out to you with your next steps. 

    See Course Sequence for more information. 

  • Direct Support Professional Associate of Applied Science

    The Direct Support Professional degree prepares graduates to work in support and leadership positions in public and private agencies serving people with cognitive disabilities. These agencies work within communities to provide direct support and advocacy to their clients. The curriculum includes courses in human development, leadership, and case management. An Associate of Applied Science Degree is awarded upon successful completion of 96 credits. Twenty-five credits of practicum are required.

    If interested in getting started, please complete the interest form, and we will reach out to you with your next steps. 

    See Course Sequence for more information. 

     

  • Social Services Associate of Applied Science

    The two-year program combines academic work with twenty-five credits of field experience to prepare graduates to work at entry-level social service jobs. The Social Services option requires 25 practicum credits (field experience) to be completed in the area of social services. The total number of credits for the two-year professional technical program is 94.

    Fieldwork (Practicum) 

    You will have two different practicum sites, or client populations, to work with during your two years of study. Two terms in one agency count as one practicum site. Depending upon the number of practicum credits, you take each term, you may spend three terms at one site and then two terms at the second site or vice-versa. Review your responsibilities as a practicum student and visit our field work tab for more information. 

    If interested in getting started, please complete the interest form, and we will reach out to you with your next steps. 

    See Course Sequences for more information.

  • Post-baccalaureate Addiction Counselor Certification
    Human Services Addiction Counselor Certification

    If you have a bachelor's or master's degree and wish to work in the field of addiction treatment, you may enroll in the Addiction Counselor Certification Preparation program. This one-year certificate program will prepare you to sit for the Oregon Level 1 Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam.

    Students recovering from chemical dependency must have a minimum of two years continuous sobriety in an unrestricted environment before they will be referred to practicum.

    Field Work (Practicum)
    You will work with one practicum site to complete 15-25 credits of practicum. Review your responsibilities as a practicum student and visit our field work tab for more information.

     

    See Course Sequence for more information. 

     

  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Use our searchable class schedule to see classes we are offering or view the printed class schedule. A complete list of course descriptions and program curriculum is provided for additional information. Registration for classes begins two months prior to the first day of the upcoming term. To navigate the searchable class schedule –

    • Select HS - Human Services from the Class Subject menu
    • Choose the other options that fit your needs
    • Click the Search Classes button
    • Select the "i" next to the class listing for more information

    For practicum placements, please review our practicum notebook.

  • Program Re-entry

    Are you considering returning to the Human Services program? 

    For more information, please call the Behavioral Health and Health Promotion Department at 503.399.5258 to be directed. 

     

  • Field Work (Practicum)

    Involving you as an active member of a helping agency integrates academic and practical experience. Practicum is literally instruction in the field. You will be placed in a human service agency under the direct supervision of agency personnel. Each practicum placement will reflect your interests, ability and educational goals.

    Students with criminal histories may be prevented from obtaining the necessary field experience required for program completion.

    Visit our practicum notebook to learn about our practicum sites. 

    Practicum Objectives
    • System Skills
      • Develop an awareness of the philosophy, activities, and practices of the agency
      • Develop a capacity to work with agency staff in establishing and maintaining your place in the agency
    • Service Skills
      • Develop and practice the skills necessary to work with clients served by the agency
    • Personal Skills
      • Develop, practice, and evaluate the values, attitudes, and skills that you possess and/or acquire as a human service worker
    • Practicum Sites
      • We collaborate with the leading agencies in the area. Follow the link and click on an agency’s name for a description of what you can expect from your practicum at each site.
    Practicum Credits
    • HS 284 = 4 credits - 11 hours per week at agency for 10 weeks = 110 hours/agency/term
    • HS 285 = 5 credits - 14 hours per week at agency for 10 weeks = 140 hours/agency/term
    • HS 286 = 6 credits - 17 hours per week at agency for 10 weeks = 170 hours/agency/term
    • HS 287 = 7 credits - 20 hours per week at agency for 10 weeks = 200 hours/agency/term
    • HS 288 = 8 credits - 23 hours per week at agency for 10 weeks = 230 hours/agency/term

    *Adjust weekly hours for summer term (8 weeks)

    Ask about your responsibilities as a practicum student.

  • CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK & DRUG TESTING

    This program does not require background checks or drug screening before entering into the program. However, you might want to familiarize yourself with how future employers might use these procedures. Whether you are hired or promoted for a job may depend on the information revealed in a background check. Job applicants, existing employees, and volunteers may be required to submit to background checks and/or drug screens by federal or state law. For more information, visit privacyrights.org