Human Services
Patience, understanding, and a strong desire to help others are valued characteristics of people working in the human services and social work fields.
Human services workers and social workers usually work in a variety of fields such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation, social work, human services, agencies, corrections, health services, military, residential services, individual and family services, substance abuse treatment, case management, community outreach, life skills coaching, state agencies, and education. They provide direct and indirect client services. They assess clients’ needs and help them obtain services. Populations include, but are not limited to, persons with physical disabilities, emotional and behavioral problems, mental retardation, learning disabilities, substance abuse problems, legal concerns, and mental illness. They may also organize and lead group activities, assist clients in need of counseling or crisis intervention. They may work with adolescents with substance abuse and/or behavioral problems.
MCC’s Human Services & Social Work Emphases
With MCC’s Human Services and Social Work Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree, you can choose a career in a human services agency, health care center, correctional or rehabilitation center, school system, gerontology-centered organization, family therapy or counseling center, or substance abuse treatment and prevention center. Our human services courses prepare you to step right into an entry-level human services position with knowledge that sets you apart from other applicants. You will find that your MCC education is relevant and applicable in the current job market. Plus, you will have an opportunity for an internship in a human service agency. Our social work courses prepare you to transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college.
If you choose to continue your education at a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree, you will be ready for junior and senior level courses because your MCC credits will transfer seamlessly.
- A two-year Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree for those who want to transfer their MCC credits and complete a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree at a university.
The link under Degrees Awarded (below) specifies our course requirements.
Admissions Partnership Program with Iowa State, UNI and Iowa
MCC participates in the Admissions Partnership Program with Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa to enable MCC students to transfer credits seamlessly to any of the state universities. Participants are dual-enrolled at MCC and the university with access to academic advising and student services at both institutions. The universities guarantee admission into the desired degree program, provided all requirements are met. Ask the MCC Admissions Office for more information!
Human Services & Social Work Job Outlook
Social work is currently among the most rapidly growing occupations. Job prospects vary greatly, depending on your experience, academic preparation, and the local job market. Follow these links to find additional up-to-date information on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook web pages:
- Health Educators & Community Health Workers
- Social & Community Service Managers
- Social & Human Service Assistants
- Social Workers
