Waukesha County Technical College
Human Services Associate

Human Services Associate

Program InformationOptional Program TracksBackground Check Information

Degree Type

60-credit Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Code

10-520-3

Time to Degree

2 years

Start Date

August / January / June

How You'll Learn

Online

Hybrid

8-Week Courses

Daytime

Evening

First, apply to the Human Services program. Once admitted, work with your academic advisor if you are interested in one of these specialized tracks:

Mental Health Track

Train to provide education, support, care, advocacy and/or crisis intervention in a human services agency. Gain skills to work with individuals, groups and communities ranging in age, ability, needs and personal situations. Add a specialty if desired:

Addiction Studies Track

Prepare to counsel clients with substance abuse disorders. This track meets the 360 hours of specialized education required by the Wisconsin DSPS for the Substance Abuse Counselor Certification. Earn industry credentials:

Want it all? Start with the Mental Health track, then continue on to qualify for the SAC-IT and SAC education hours and earn Youth Care Counselor and Developmental Disabilities certificates.

Please note: The safety and well-being of our students is very important to us. If you are recently in recovery from addiction, connect with instuctor Lisa Walz prior to entering this track.

Please note, a caregiver background check ($10) is required before placement in your practicum course.

Acceptance into the program will not be denied based on a criminal background, but certain offenses may prevent you from being able to find a placement and graduate from this program. If you are currently on probation/parole, you will not be eligible for placement.

Program OverviewApplication DeadlinesProgram Cost

Human services professionals provide resources, counsel and assistance to individuals in an effort to improve their quality of life. In this program, develop and practice direct client care, treatment, rehabilitation, education and behavioral direction to individuals or groups. Learn behavioral rehabilitation techniques, counseling methods, ethics and family systems. Those in this field work closely with social workers, psychologists and counselors.

Deadlines To Know*

Fall 2024 Start

  • Application Opens: September 1, 2023
  • Application Deadline: August 5, 2024

Spring 2024 Start

  • Application Opens: April 1, 2023
  • Application Deadline: January 8, 2024

Summer 2024 Start

  • Application Opens: September 1, 2023
  • Application Deadline: June 3, 2024

* Submit all checklist items by the application deadline. Apply early; deadlines are subject to change based on program demand.

Tuition Costs

The cost of your degree depends on a number of factors, including where you live, how your program is delivered, how long it takes to finish your program and the financial aid you receive. Explore current tuition and fees.

Additional Estimated Costs

  • Any computer or tablet
  • Caregiver background check (required annually): $10

How To Apply

  • Apply online and pay the $30 application fee.
  • Submit a copy of one of the following to demonstrate your reading, writing and math skills:
      • High school GPA of 2.60 or above. Transcript must include completed coursework through the 11th grade.*
      • ACT, ACCUPLACER® or GED - 2014 Series (165 or higher).*
      • Prior college coursework may meet this requirement in whole or in part. Courses must be in the specific area(s), and you must have earned a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the courses.*
      • If none of the above apply, sign up for the ACCUPLACER® placement test.

*Unofficial copies of these documents can be sent to admissions@wctc.edu.

Questions on the application process? Visit the Admissions page or contact an Enrollment Counselor.

Apply Online
 

Program Details

Questions? We'd love to help! Connect with our Enrollment team by filling out our online form or by email at enroll@wctc.edu.

If you enjoy helping others solve problems, are detail oriented and a good listener, a career in the field of human services may be right for you. Human services professionals provide a wide range of support in different fields, including psychology, rehabilitation and social work. They work with a variety of populations, among them, the elderly, children and people with disabilities.

  • Case Manager
  • Community Resource Specialist
  • Human Services Technician
  • Residential Aide
  • Youth Care Counselor

Find additional human services career information at the National Human Services Organization.

This program is open to qualified high school applicants. Please note:

  • You must be at least 18 years old to participate in practicum placements. These begin in the first semester of the second year of the program.

Learn more >

$28,900 – $46,400 annually

Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements.

Check the WCTC Graduate Success Report to view our graduates’ entry wages.

As a program student, you are eligible to receive:

  • Financial aid loans
  • Scholarships
  • Other forms of assistance

Learn more about financial aid.

Please note that some internship sites require compliance with various COVID-19 safety protocols and measures as a condition to placement. Required protocols and measures may include, but are not limited to, receipt of COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19.

Reasonable accommodations may be available for students with documented disabilities and/or sincerely held religious beliefs. Students seeking accommodation due to documented disability should contact the Student Accessibility Office. Students seeking accommodation due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact Jonathan Pedraza in the Student Life Office.

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Program Courses

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Program PDF

What Makes This Program Unique?

1

This program provides a foundation in psychology, sociology, social work, counseling and case management with hands-on, real-world experience in an occupational setting through practicum coursework.

2

Both the Mental Health and Addiction Studies tracks transfer easily into several bachelor's degree programs.

3

This program offers courses in daytime/hybrid and online formats. You can take classes "a la carte" from either format.

Similar Programs

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More Credit Opportunities

High School Dual Credit

Dual enrollment offers high school students an opportunity to get a head start in high-demand fields while earning college credits.

Learn More

Credit for Prior Learning

You may have the opportunity to obtain credit for the college-level skills and knowledge you've already acquired through prior coursework, work experience and more.

Learn More

Transfer Opportunities After WCTC

WCTC has credit transfer agreements with many four-year institutions that allow our degree graduates to transfer credits into a baccalaureate program, often at junior-level standing.

College Program Name Credit Awards
Alverno CollegeBSW (Bachelor of Social Work)up to 57
Carroll UniversityBS Psychologyup to 64
George Williams College of Aurora UniversityBachelor of Social Work (BSW)up to 68
Marian UniversityBS Community Health and Human Servicesup to 63, 10% tuition discount
Marian UniversityBS Psychologyup to 63, 10% tuition discount
Mount Mary UniversityBA Sociology: Urban Studies66+electives
Mount Mary UniversityBA Sociology: Healthy Communities63+electives
Upper Iowa UniversityBS Human Services for Social Work Training Certification27+electives
UW-MilwaukeeBS Human Services57-62
UW-WhitewaterBS Social WorkUp to 60
College Program Name Credit Awards
Bellevue UniversityAny Bachelors Degreeup to 60, tuition discount
Franklin UniversityAny Bachelors DegreeJunior Standing
Grand Canyon UniversityAny Bachelors10% tuition discount
Lakeland UniversityAny Bachelors DegreeJunior Standing, Credits Vary, 20% tuition discount
Ottawa UniversityBachelor of Arts or Sciencesup to 80, and 20%+ tuition discount for WCTC grads
UW-Green BayOrganizational Leadership - Bachelor of Applied StudiesBlock of 60 credits
UW-OshkoshBA Leadership & Organizational Studies45 credit block
UW-StoutBS Management (100% online)up to 60
UW-StoutBS Career, Technical Education & Training (100% online)up to 60
UW-WhitewaterBA Arts and Sciences60+
Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeBachelor of Science in Business Management & Leadership50-70

 

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