Human Services

College of Rural Alaska
Bristol Bay Campus (907) 842-5109
Chukchi Campus (907) 442-3400
Interior-Aleutians Campus (907) 474-5439
Kuskokwim Campus (907) 543-4500
Northwest Campus (907) 443-2201
Tanana Valley Campus (907) 455-2800
Human Services Program (907) 455-2842

A.A.S. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 60 credits

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Students in the human services program receive skills-based training based on a foundation of theory. After completing foundation courses, students select an area of concentration (addictions counseling, mental health and developmental disabilities, residential care, supervision and management in human services, or workforce development). They learn interviewing and assessment, case management, crisis intervention, group counseling and specific skills needed within their concentration area.

The program prepares students for entry-level positions in human services agencies. Persons with a strong desire to help others, a sincere respect for mankind and a commitment to their own personal growth may find this field rewarding. They must be emotionally stable, flexible and interested in working with people of diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds. Recovery from life traumas and addictions can be a positive attribute if the student has successfully worked through specific issues and is willing to continue personal growth.

Students completing a concentration will receive a credential from the human service program. Those who complete an addictions concentration are eligible for certification as substance abuse counselor technicians through the Alaska Commission for chemical dependency professionals certification board. A credential in family empowerment is also offered to students who complete specific classes.

Each concentration is available to B.A. degree students as a minor. The B.A. degree student must complete the concentration and six HSV elective credits. Concentrations provide students with skills needed for employment. See minor requirements.

Major—A.A.S. Degree

Concentrations: Addictions Counseling, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Residential Care, Supervision and Management in Human Services, Workforce Development

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements (As part of the A.A.S. degree requirements, complete: PSY 101 for the social sciences requirement.)
  3. Complete the following:*

    HSV 120—Cultural Diversity in Human Services 3 credits

    HSV 125—Introduction to Addictive Processes 3 credits

    HSV 215—Individual Interviewing 3 credits

    HSV 232—Human Service Practicum I 3 credits

    HSV 233—Human Service Practicum II 3 credits

    HSV 301—Ethics in Human Service 3 credits

    PSY 240—Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3)
    —Child Development (3) 3 credits

    SWK 103—Introduction to Social Work (3)
    or JUST 110—Introduction to Justice (3) 3 credits
  4. Complete 1 of the following family courses:*

    ECE 342O—Family Relationships 3 credits

    HSV 140—Family Empowerment I 3 credits

    RHS 120—Family Systems I 2 credits

    SOC 242—The Family: A Cross-Cultural Perspective 3 credits
  5. Complete 3 credits from the following:*

    HSV 205—Basic Principles of Group Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 210—Crisis and Grief Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 310—Management of Complex Cases 3 credits
  6. Complete 1 of the following concentrations:*

    Addictions Counseling

    HSV 205—Basic Principles of Group Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 305—Substance Abuse Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 105—Personal Awareness and Growth 2-3 credits

    HSV 260—History of Alcohol in Alaska 1 credit

    HSV 261—Substance Abuse Assessment: ASAM PPC II 1 credit

    HSV 262—Pharmacology of Addictions 1 credit

    HSV 263—Service Delivery—ARND (FAS/E) 1 credit

    HSV 264—Cultural Considerations in Providing Chemical Dependency Services to Alaska Native People 1 credit

    HSV 265—Substance Abuse and the Family 2 credits

    HSV 266—Dual Diagnosis Intervention and Treatment 2 credits

    Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

    HSV 130—Introduction to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (3)
    or HUMS 135—Introduction to Mental Illness (PWSCC) (2)
    or HUMS 183—Community Services for People with Disabilities (PWSCC) (3)
    —Introduction to Recovery and Mental Illness (2) 2-3 credits

    HUMS 205—Introduction to Human Exceptionality (PWSCC) 3 credits

    HUMS 231—Applied Behavioral Analysis I (PWSCC) 3 credits

    b. Complete 3 credits from the following:

    HUMS 252—Employment Support Services (PWSCC) 3 credits

    HUMS 253—Positive Behavioral Supports (PWSCC) 3 credits

    HUMS 255—Assistive Technology (PWSCC) 3 credits
    Or other approved course 3 credits

    Note: This concentration is offered in collaboration with Price William Sound Community College through distance delivery.
    Note: For course descriptions of PWSCC courses see current Prince William Sound Community College catalog.


    Residential Care

    HSV 170—Residential Child Care 3 credits

    HSV 263—Service Delivery—ARND (FAS/E) 1 credit

    HSV 270—Adolescent Issues and Therapeutic Interventions 3 credits

    HSV 271—Managing Aggressive Behavior 1 credit

    HSV 272—Attachment, Separation and Loss 1 credit

    b. Complete 3 additional approved elective credits. 3 credits

    Note: Not guaranteed to be available via distance delivery.

    Supervision and Management in Human Services

    ABUS 179—Fundamentals of Supervision 3 credits

    ABUS 232—Contemporary Management Issues 3 credits

    HSV 310—Management of Complex Cases 3 credits

    RD 250—Grant Writing for Community Development 1-3 credits

    RD 351—Strategic Planning for Rural Communities 3 credits

    ABUS 231—Introduction to Personnel 1-3 credits

    HSV 233—Human Service Practicum II (repeated for credit) 3 credits

    Workforce Development

    HSV 150—Workforce Development I 3 credits

    HSV 255—Workforce Development II 3 credits

    HSV 310—Management of Complex Cases 3 credits

    b. Complete 3 HSV elective credits. 3 credits

    Note: Not guaranteed to be available via distance delivery.
  7. Minimum credits required 60

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

For holders of the rural human services certificate

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements (As part of the A.A.S. degree requirements, complete: PSY 101 for the social sciences requirement.)
  3. Complete the rural human services certificate.
  4. Complete the following:*

    HSV 301—Ethics in Human Service 3 credits

    SWK 103—Introduction to Social Work (3)
    or JUST 110—Introduction to Justice (3) 3 credits

    PSY 240—Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3)
    or ECE 245—Child Development (3) 3 credits
  5. Complete 1 of the following:*

    ECE 342O—Family Relationships 3 credits

    HSV 140—Family Empowerment I 3 credits

    SOC 242—The Family: A Cross-Cultural Perspective 3 credits

    RHS 120—Family Systems I 2 credits
  6. Complete 6-9 credits from 1 of the following concentrations: *

    Addictions Counseling
    a. Complete the following:

    HSV 205—Basic Principles of Group Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 260—History of Alcohol in Alaska 1 credit

    HSV 305—Substance Abuse Counseling 3 credits

    b. Complete at least 2 credits from the following:

    HSV 105—Personal Awareness and Growth 2-3 credits

    HSV 261—Substance Abuse Assessment: ASAM PPC II 1 credit

    HSV 262—Pharmacology of Addictions 1 credit

    HSV 263—Service Delivery—ARND (FAS/E) 1 credit

    HSV 264—Cultural Considerations in Providing Chemical Dependency Services to Alaska Native People 1 credit

    HSV 265—Substance Abuse and the Family 2 credits

    HSV 266—Dual Diagnosis Intervention and Treatment 2 credits

    Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
    a. Complete the following:

    HUMS 205—Introduction to Human Exceptionality (PWSCC) 3 credits

    HUMS 231—Applied Behavioral Analysis I (PWSCC) 3 credits

    b. Complete 3 credits from the following:

    HSV 130—Introduction to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (3)
    or HUMS 135—Introduction to Mental Illness (PWSCC) (2)
    or HUMS 183—Community Services for People with Disabilities (PWSCC) (3)
    or RHS 275—Introduction to Recovery and Mental Illness (2) 2-3 credits

    HUMS 252—Employment Support Services (PWSCC) 3 credits

    HUMS 253—Positive Behavioral Supports (PWSCC) 3 credits

    HUMS 255—Assistive Technology (PWSCC) 3 credits
    Or other approved course 3 credits

    Note: This concentration is offered in collaboration with Prince William Sound Community College through distance delivery.
    Note: For course descriptions of PWSCC courses see current Prince William Sound Community College catalog.

    Residential Care
    a. Complete the following:

    HSV 170—Residential Child Care 3 credits

    HSV 263—Service Delivery—ARND (FAS/E) 1 credit

    HSV 270—Adolescent Issues and Therapeutic Interventions 3 credits

    HSV 271—Managing Aggressive Behavior 1 credit

    HSV 272—Attachment, Separation and Loss 1 credit

    b. Complete 3 approved elective credits. 3 credits

    Note: Not guaranteed to be available via distance delivery.

    Supervision and Management in Human Services
    a. Complete the following:

    ABUS 179—Fundamentals of Supervision 3 credits

    ABUS 232—Contemporary Management Issues 3 credits

    HSV 310—Management of Complex Cases 3 credits

    Workforce Development
    a. Complete the following:

    HSV 150—Workforce Development I 3 credits

    HSV 255—Workforce Development II 3 credits

    HSV 310—Management of Complex Cases 3 credits

    b. Complete HSV elective credits. 3 credits

    Note: Not guaranteed to be available via distance delivery.
  7. Minimum credits required 60

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.
Note: Certificates of Completion (Credentials) awarded by the Human Services Program for each concentration completed.

Minor

  1. Complete 1 concentration in human services 12 credits
  2. Complete HSV elective credits 6 credits
  3. Minimum credits required 18

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification by the State of Alaska

  1. Complete the following:*

    HSV 125—Introduction to Addictive Processes 3 credits

    HSV 205—Basic Principles of Group Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 210—Crisis and Grief Counseling 3 credits

    HSV 215—Individual Interviewing 3 credits

    HSV 260—History of Alcohol in Alaska 1 credit

    HSV 301—Ethics in Human Service 3 credits

    HSV 305—Substance Abuse Counseling 3 credits

    * The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Review Board has approved the following courses for 45 training hours each toward certification or recertification of Substance Abuse Counselors in the state of Alaska.
    Note: Currently certified Substance Abuse Counselors are eligible for transfer credit toward the human services degree. Contact the human services program coordinator at (907) 455-2842 for more information.