Human and social services

To enroll in this program, you’re required to undergo a criminal background check.

[Bulleted list of all the certificates that stack into the degree that link to their Course Leaf pages]

When you finish your associate degree in human services, you’re eligible for employment as an assistant to a social worker. In the human services field, students are strongly encouraged to transfer their associate degree to a bachelor’s degree program in social work.

You might be employed in any agency working with the elderly, mental health, adult or juvenile criminal justice, substance abuse, homelessness, crisis intervention, or any other area where social services are needed.

After you successfully complete your associate degree program, you’ll be eligible to apply to be registered as a social work assistant through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. In Ohio, licensed social workers must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. Social workers might even have a doctoral degree. Different states have different licensing requirements.

Stark State has transfer agreements with several four-year universities, including Youngstown State University, that offer social work programs at the bachelor’s degree level. Your advisor can help you determine your best path to a bachelor’s of social work degree.

Salaries vary based on individual agency standards, education and experience. Salaries tend to increase with advanced education and credentialing, and Stark State’s associate degree can smoothly transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. Salary ranges are estimates which can vary due to a number of factors and may change over time.

You can transfer certain classes you’ve taken at other colleges or universities. Contact admissions at info@starkstate.edu.

While you can’t be licensed in Ohio as a social worker with an associate degree, you can apply to be a registered social worker assistant. For more information, contact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board at 614-466-0912 or at cswmft.ohio.gov.

You can enroll as a full-time or part-time student. Part-time enrollment increases the time you need to complete course requirements. Also, your placement scores may indicate additional remedial course work is needed. Classes are offered on days, evenings and weekends. You’ll need to attend main campus for some of your classes.

The National Association of Social Workers is a professional organization for those employed in the human services field.

Yes, you could qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships. Contact the Financial Aid Office about your eligibility at studentservices@starkstate.edu.

There also are scholarship opportunities for this program.

You’ll be required to complete observation hours at a community agency in addition to completing 210 hours of a practicum experience.

Stark State also offers an associate degree of applied sciences with a major in gerontology or chemical dependency, along with certificates in gerontology and chemical dependency.