Human Services

Human Services

Associates of Applied Science

Program educates students to provide human and social services including information, resources, support, and advocacy for those in need or crisis. Mostly online course work with minimal in class meetings and field experience are used to equip students with the opportunities to acquire skills needed to work with diverse groups of youth and adults facing challenges such as poverty, addiction, or abuse. Students develop necessary ethical and legal standards for human and social service settings and learn the importance of providing quality care to clients and patients.

  • counseling session
  • Patient in session with counselor

    Program Outline

    Term 1
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1052010100 Introduction to Human Services
    Description

    Coursework introduces the typical roles and duties of human services workers. Students assess their own motivations, attitudes, and interests. In addition to the regular classroom hours students will complete an interview with a Human Services worker. Students must complete or have on file current, valid Background Information Disclosure (BID) and Caregiver Background Check (annual Wisconsin and Minnesota) forms, as part of this course.

    3.00
    1055020100 Understanding Substance Use
    Description

    Explore the bio-psych social dynamics of substance use. Examine treatment approaches, models, and screening criteria. Examine substances of abuse, history of SUDs, and their impact on the individual and society.

    3.00
    1055020600 Introduction Interviewing and Counseling Skills
    Description

    Description Analyze foundational skills in the counseling relationship. Analyze the stages of the helping processes and the roles professionals play in the processes. Analyze the importance of establishing therapeutic relationships. Apply basic counseling techniques. Apply interviewing and counseling skills through mock counseling sessions and personal experience reflections. Examine issues of boundaries and ethics.

    3.00
    1080919800 Introduction to Psychology
    Description

    This introductory course in psychology is a survey of the multiple aspects of human behavior. It involves a survey of the theoretical foundations of human functioning in such areas as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors, and social influences. It directs the student to an insightful understanding of the complexities of human relationships in personal, social, and vocational settings.

    3.00
    1080119500 Written Communication
    Description

    Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments is designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.

    3.00
    Term 2
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1052015000 Special Populations
    Description

    Students will examine theories and modalities frequently used in the field of case management. Students will learn the foundation of practice by exploring Evidence Based Practices such as Person Centered Planning and Recovery Oriented Care. This course will also focus on the special needs of different populations and how to encourage change. Systemic barriers with different populations will be identified along with a solution focused approach to care.

    3.00
    1055020200 Foundations of Case Management
    Description

    Introduction to case management techniques and processes. Incorporates intake assessment techniques, service planning techniques, referral processes, coordination of care, and discharge processes determined by a multidisciplinary team approach. Includes client self-determination and autonomy. Incorporates clinical documentation requirements and processes. Prerequisite: 1055020600 Introduction to Interview and Counsel (C or better).

    3.00
    1055020400 Group Facilitation
    Description

    An introduction to theory and practice of group dynamics and processes. Includes ethical considerations, effective group leadership, and stages of group development. Also includes demonstration of group facilitation skills, clinical documentation, co-facilitation strategies, reflective practitioner techniques, and group formation. Prerequisite: 1055020600 Introduction to Interview and Counsel (C or better).

    3.00
    1055021000 Boundaries and Ethics for the Helping Profession
    Description

    Evaluate the ethical codes of the helping professions. Examine professional boundaries related to the helping professions. Incorporate ethical standards into decision making processes. Examine ethical considerations related to professional standards for the helping professions. Examine ethical considerations related to state and federal regulations for the helping professions. Examine the ethical considerations related to professional self-care. Prerequisite: 1055020600 Introduction to Interview and Counsel (C or better).

    3.00
    1080119700 Technical Reporting
    Description

    Teaches preparation and presentation of written, oral, and multi-media technical reports. Prerequisite: 1080119500 Written Communication (C or better) or 2080121900 English Composition I (C or better).

    3.00
    Term 3
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1055020000 Intro to Substance Use Disorder Profession
    Description

    Explore characteristics that are incorporated into substance use counseling and practice. Determine personal values, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses. Analyze the eight practice dimensions used to effectively treat substance use disorders: Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Referral; Service Coordination; Counseling; Patient, Family and Community Education; Documentation; and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities. Evaluate legal and ethical issues surrounding substance use counseling. Evaluate Information about Wisconsin licensing for substance use counseling. Prerequisites: 1055020600 Introduction to Interview and Counsel (C or better) and 1055020200 Foundations of Case Management (C or better) and 1055021000 Boundaries Ethics for Helping Profession (C or better). Corequisite: 1055021100 Clinical Experience 1.

    3.00
    1055020300 Overview of Mental Health Disorders
    Description

    Provides an overview to the history, diagnosis, treatment strategies, legal and ethical considerations, and documentation of mental health conditions. Focus is on understanding the mental health conditions that co-occur with substance use disorders. Prerequisite: 1055020600 Introduction to Interview and Counsel (C or better).

    3.00
    1055020500 Counseling Theory
    Description

    Summarize the history of, and explore the primary concepts within, the major approaches to counseling. Explore the empirical foundations of each theory. Examine application of theories to counseling. Review specific techniques of each theoretical approach. Examine the role of the counselor within each theoretical approach. Explore the role of the counselor, the scope of practice, and the ethical implications in counseling. Prerequisite: 1055020400 Group Facilitation (C or better).

    3.00
    1055020800 SUDC Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment
    Description

    Explore the core components of substance use disorder treatment. Apply the core practice dimensions of Substance Use Disorder Counseling. Evaluate process for SUD clients for the purpose of developing treatment plans and documenting the treatment process. Prerequisite: 1055021000 Boundaries Ethics for Helping Profession (C or better).

    3.00
    1055021100 Clinical Experience 1
    Description

    Immersive experience with an agency including supervised practice in the 12 core functions. Integrates the knowledge, theory, skills, and professional behaviors learned in the two previous semesters of coursework. Emphasis on gaining first-hand knowledge and refine previously acquired skills to gain a greater understanding of self and the helping professions. Prerequisites: 1055020100 Understanding Substance Use (C or better) and 1055020600 Introduction to Interview and Counsel (C or better) and 1055020200 Foundations of Case Management (C or better) and 1055021000 Boundaries Ethics for Helping Profession (C or better). Corequisite: 1055020000 Intro to Substance Use Disorder Profess.

    3.00
    1080918800 Developmental Psychology
    Description

    Study of human development throughout the lifespan. Explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

    3.00
    Term 4
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1052014300 Crisis Intervention Strategies
    Description

    This course provides strategies for handling crisis situations in the field of Human Services. Student will identify varying theories to assist in the intervention of handling a crisis situation and be required to apply a theory in order to demonstrate competency. Students will evaluate signs and symptoms specific to a myriad of different crisis situations. Students will identify ethical issues resulting in dealing with crisis and apply professional’s ethics to the scenario. Learners will be able to incorporate these ethical standards into a thinking cycle to promote positive solution focused decision-making skills to assist in deescalating a crisis situation. Students will also be introduced to a multicultural perspective when dealing with individuals in crisis.

    3.00
    1055012200 Across the Lifespan
    Description

    This course introduces and assists students to evaluate problematic issues found in development across the lifespan. Development areas range from birth to death and includes topics such as sexuality, sexual behaviors, child maltreatment, and AODA/substance abuse issues. This course is designed to encourage understanding of healthy development in humans and provide a foundation of therapeutic interventions and knowledge of development across the lifespan. Students will assess ethical and boundary issues that are common when working in a helping profession. Prerequisite: 1055021100 Clinical Experience 1 (C or better).

    3.00
    1055020900 Family Systems
    Description

    Provides a broad understanding of family systems theory and practice relevant to the human services field. Focus is on evaluating the communication and interaction patterns and applying interventions and strategies. Prerequisite: 1055020100 Understanding Substance Use (C or better).

    3.00
    1055021200 Clinical Experience 2
    Description

    Immersion experience with an agency including supervised practice in the 12 core functions. Integrates the knowledge, theory, skills, and professional behaviors learned in previous courses and refined in Clinical I immersion experience. Emphasis on applying previously acquired knowledge and skills and gaining a greater understanding of self and the helping professions through first-hand experience. Prerequisites: 1055021100 Clinical Experience 1 (C or better) and 1055020500 Counseling Theory (C or better).

    3.00
    1080917200 Introduction to Diversity Studies
    Description

    Introduces learners to the study of diversity from a local to a global environment using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach. Encourages self-exploration and prepares the learner to work in a diverse environment. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relations in a multicultural context, the primary topics of race, ethnicity, age, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and religion are explored.

    3.00
    1080413400 Mathematical Reasoning
    Description

    An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. This course is not designed for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) students and/or others who require calculus. Prerequisite: 7785478000 Principles of College Math (C or better) or Accuplacer Algebra score >=35 or UW Math Placement Basic Math Skills score >=250 or ACT Mathematics score >=18 or Tailwind Math College Math Fund score >=16.

    3.00

    At A Glance

    How You'll Learn

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    OnLine

    Term Start Dates

    Spring 2025: January 13Summer 2025: May 19Fall 2025: August 25

    Start dates represent the beginning of a new term. Certain programs or courses may not be available to start every term. Please view the course schedules for a list of upcoming classes or contact the Welcome Center at 715-365-4493.

    Program Tuition*

    $10,425

    Books & Supplies*

    $2,225

    *Total cost for degree completion is estimated by current course requirements, books, and supplies. Tuition and fees are set by the Wisconsin Technical College System and subject to change.

    Financial Aid Eligible

    You may experience these additional costs, not charged by Nicolet, estimated based on length of program.

    Transportation
    $4,600
    Food/Housing
    $4,576
    Personal Expenses
    $4,584

    What You'll Learn

    • Model a commitment to cultural responsiveness
    • Uphold the ethical standards and values for Human Service professionals
    • Demonstrate professionalism
    • Utilize community resources
    • Apply Human Services interventions and best practice
    • Cultivate professional relationships

    Transfer Opportunities

    Take a look at our transfer agreements to seamlessly transfer your degree to a 4-year university.

    Your Potential Careers

    • Case worker
    • Community outreach/support worker
    • Income maintenance worker
    • Human Services/Information
    • Substance Abuse Counselor (with supervision)
    • Residential Manager
    • Social Services Assistant
    • Human Services Technician

    Median Annual Salary

    $48,138 $42,429 $39,169
    Local State National

    Lightcast 2023.1

    Get Started

    Your application can be submitted online, it takes just a few minutes to complete.

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