Human Service Degree Program

The Human Service program prepares students to work effectively and knowledgeably with individuals and systems in need of direct care, assistance and personal support. Students will develop skills and competencies in interviewing, counseling, case management and crisis intervention, and will be able to network clients with needed community resources and services. In addition, the program prepares and serves for the student as a basis to transfer on to complete a baccalaureate degree.

Two practica courses provide students with 250 hours of professional experience in the human service field. Students are involved in the selection of the sites in which to fulfill the desired practica requirements. Each practicum enables students to apply what they have been learning in class to practical, hands-on situations.

The degree of Associate in Science with a major in Human Service is awarded upon successful completion of the program. The degree offers students opportunities which may lead to employment in human service agencies, youth and group homes, community service councils, health care facilities, hospitals and school systems.

The Human Service Program holds national program approval with the national accrediting body for Human Service Degree Programs, the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).

Students may elect to focus their educational direction in the human service, mental health or gerontology field by pursuing two practica that are focused specifically in the chosen area of concentration. The student's placement will be in an approved facility.

A dual admission program is available with Granite State College for those interested in continuing their education.

Information about transferring to other institutions

Specific Admission Requirements

1. Candidates may be required to have a personal interview with a department faculty member;
2. Please refer to starred* statement at the bottom of the table to the right for mathematics graduation requirement.

Sobriety Statement

The Human Service Department abides by the accepted national standard that recommends a minimum of two years of sobriety for any prospective trainee in the field of alcohol and other drug abuse counseling.

Health, Character and Technical Standards

The college must ensure that patients/clients are not placed in jeopary by students during learning experiences. Therefore, students in practica, service learning and clinical experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and changing circumstances that characterize patient/client care responsibilities. Furthermore, the student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with employees, customers and/or patients/clients and their families.

Character Expectations

• Human Service and Addiction Counseling students work closely with individuals of all ages in the field. Many of the Practicum sites and potential employers will perform a background check through the New Hampshire Department of Safety as well as police and potential FBI checks. A student's driving record will also be examined and considered prior to acceptance of some practicum and employment opportunities. The student may be called upon to pay for the previously mentioned background checks, etc;
• Applicants who have been in difficulty with the law, depending upon the nature of the problem, may not be employable or even eligible for practica. Applicants need to discuss these issues in an interview or meeting, so that future goals will not be compromised.

Health Consideration

• All Human Service majors will receive Institute Health forms following acceptance. These forms must be completed and along with requested health physical exam, TB testing, prior to the start of classes. Each student is required to obtain NHTI Liability Insurance, starting in each academic year. The students will be billed directly. Students are also eligible to purchase Health Insurance through NHTI for their own health needs.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards have been established as guidance tools to inform program applicants of skills and standards necessary for successful completion of the Human Service programs. Any applicant who has concerns or questions regarding the Technical Standards is encouraged to contact the Department Head to discuss their individual issues. Students in the Human Service programs must be able to demonstrate:

• 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, and 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, immediate crisis response and role responsibility exchange;
• Ability to cope with a variety of stressors, including people-place occurrences, and demonstrate safe and required care for individuals and the workplace as a whole;
• 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 and conduct as a human service student, either at a practicum site, or in the community.
• Ability to adhere to and practice the Human Service Department's ethical guidelines.

Human Service/Mental Health Practicum Sites

Boscawen Elementary School, Boscawen, NH
Bow School System, Bow, NH
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Concord, NH
CASA, Manchester, NH
Child and Family Services Group Home, Concord, NH
Child and Family Services of New Hampshire
The Children's Place, Concord, NH
Community Bridges, Bow, NH
Community Services Councils - Concord and Laconia, NH
Concord Boys and Girls Club, Concord, NH
Concord City Human Services
Concord Hospital - Therapeutic Activities Center, Concord, NH
Concord Housing Authority, Concord, NH
Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Recovery
Fellowship Housing Opportunities, Concord, NH
Greater Manchester Mental Health
Havenwood Heritage Heights, Concord, NH
Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Center, Concord, NH
Laconia Housing Authority, Laconia, NH
Merrimack County Adult Diversion Program, Concord, NH
Merrimack County Juvenile Diversion Program
Merrimack County Visitation Program, Concord, NH
Merrimack Valley Middle School and High School
New Hampshire Brain Injury Association, Concord, NH
New Hampshire Department of Corrections
New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families, Concord, Rochester, Nashua
New Hampshire Division of Health and Human Service, Concord
New Hampshire Hospital, Concord, NH
New Hampshire Mediation Program, Concord, NH
NH State Prison for Women, Goffstown, NH
New Horizons Shelter, Manchester, NH
Odd Fellows Home, Concord, NH
Penacook Community Center, Penacook, NH
Pine Haven Center for Boys, Allenstown, NH
Pleasant View Eldercare, Concord, NH
Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Concord, NH
Riverbend Community Mental Health, Concord, NH
Rochester Parent Child Center, Rochester, NH
Rolfe and Rumford Home, Concord, NH
Second Start, Concord, NH
Spaulding Youth Center, Northfield, NH
Speare Memorial Hospital - Social Work Department, Plymouth, NH
The Friends Program, Concord, NH
Tobey School, Concord, NH
Walker School, Concord, NH
Wedico Center, Windsor, NH
West High School, Manchester, NH
Whole Village Child Care, Plymouth, NH
WIC Program, Concord, NH