Numerous employment opportunities exist for individuals trained in helping professions to work with clients and patients in a variety of mental helalth-related facilities. The Associate in Applied Science degree in Human Services provides students with a broad array of general education studies along with specific skills in either the generalized human services curriculum or in substance abuse counseling. Completing the A.A.S. degree in Human Services will automatically qualify the student for a certificate in one of these sub-specialties. Most degree completers will be able to transfer to certain bachelors programs in the human services, where desired.

The degree program provides students, who may wish at some future time to pursue graduate study in social work or clinical/counseling psychology, an opportunity to be certified for paraprofessional work in the field, to be employed in the field, and to test their own level of sustained interest.

In addition to the Human Services A.A.S. degree, Oakton offers a 34-credit-hour Human Services certificate and a 25-credit-hour Substance Abuse Counseling certificate.

For more information, contact the coordinator, Lana Medow (847) 635-1845