Human Services

Human services is an interdisciplinary field of study with the goal of meeting basic needs through an applied knowledge base, identifying service gaps, focusing on prevention, facilitating change and maintaining an ongoing commitment to improving the overall quality of life and strengthening our communities.

Career

You will learn to support and empower children, youth, adults, families, groups and communities. You will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of industries including community organizations, government and nonprofit agencies focusing on youth services and programs, senior services and care of the elderly, refugee and immigrant services, substance abuse prevention and treatment, victim advocacy, mental health, rehabilitative services and more.

Coursework is highly interactive and includes field-based internships. Your experience at Highline will help you discover the work that is the best match for you.

Graduates will learn specific job skills as well as communication skills, computational skills, applied sciences, human relations and social science. The AAS can be completed in two years with full-time attendance. A Direct Transfer (AA) degree, with an emphasis in Human Services, is also an education option. Please see a faculty adviser for details.

Bachelors Degree

Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services (formerly Youth Development)

Members of human services agencies throughout our area work together to improve the overall quality of services and programs. Students who graduate with a four-year degree will be better equipped to help design and manage quality programs for individual clients and families. You can be part of this growing and changing field.

View in Catalog

PDF Program Map

Human Services, BAS (coming soon)

Department/Program URL:

https://pathways.highline.edu/education-human-services/human-services/

GPA Requirement:

2.0

Number of Credits:

180

Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:

n/a

Top Transfer-To institutions

University of Washington – Tacoma/Seattle
Central Washington University
Washington Governors University

Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate

Not all internships have the same requirements but human services/behavioral health agencies will require you to complete a criminal history background check before offering you an internship or employment. For students without prior direct service experience, it is recommended they do their internship after completing two-thirds of their degree.

Key Advisors

Fred Capestany

Associates Degrees

AAS Human Services

If you have a passion for helping others and you are a good listener, then this may be the career for you. This rewarding and challenging career field provides you with the opportunity to support individuals of diverse backgrounds, assessing their needs and connecting them with appropriate services.