Oakton's Human Services Program can prepare you for a profession where your ability to support others individually meets systemic changes needed to make society more equitable for all. Skills in facilitating conversations, leading groups and working within a team are a focus in our human services courses and can benefit you in every workplace. Our programs will train you in a multitude of interpersonal and communication skills so that you can start a new paraprofessional job or even change your existing career.
Are you considering a bachelor's or master's degree in social services or social work? Our academic advisors can help you start planning your transfer as soon as you're ready. Starting with a foundation at Oakton will give you the chance to get ahead with the core concepts of human services at a fraction of the cost of a four-year school. Courses in our curriculum can help students develop skills in the following and more:
Counseling and interviewing
Leading and facilitating groups
Psychosocial screening and assessments for various work settings
Case management for social determinants of health (SDOH)
Developing service and aftercare plans
Understanding professional ethics and legal issues
Degree and Certificate
Our program for an associate degree in human services is composed of 60 semester hours, including general education. Completing the degree is an automatic qualification for a certificate and transfer to certain bachelor's programs. Refer to the IAI General Education Courses list for guidance in selecting general courses.
If you do not wish to pursue degree studies you may complete a human services certificate to prepare for entry-level positions at many social service agencies. The certificate program is 34 semester hours.
Employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 346,900 jobs. Most projected new jobs in this occupational group are in counselor and social worker occupations, as their services will continue to be needed in areas such as drug abuse counseling and rehabilitation counseling, and also for school and career counseling. In addition to counselors and social workers, this group includes religious workers.
The median annual wage for community and social service occupations was $47,520 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
• Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers • Marriage and Family Therapists • Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists • Counselors • Social and Human Service Assistants • Social Workers • Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Meet Your Faculty and Experts
Our faculty is committed to guiding you down a path toward success with their years of varied experience. In addition to classroom learning, students receive support from our panel of expert advisors.
Bakahia Madison, LCPC Chair and Professor M.A. Roosevelt University Psy.D. Illinois School of Professional Psychology bmadison@oakton.edu 847.635.1845 Office: 2727, Des Plaines
Meet our part time faculty:
Anthony Bertram, LCSW, CADC, CODP Lecturer B.C.J. Marian University M.S.W. Loyola University, Chicago abertram@oakton.edu 847.635.1910 Office: B206, Skokie
Richard Lyon, M.A., LCPC, CADC, CAMS-II Lecturer B.A. Wheaton College M.A. Wheaton College rlyon@oakton.edu 847.635.1910 Office: B206, Skokie
Carolyn Ransom-Champion, Ed.D, CADC Lecturer B.A. National-Louis University Ed.D, Argosy University, Chicago cchampion@oakton.edu 847.635.1910 Office: B206, Skokie
Cathy Willis Lecturer B.A. National-Louis University M.A. Northeastern Illinois University cwillis@oakton.edu 847.635.1910 Office: B206, Skokie
James D. Eaglin, CADC Director Family Behavioral Health Clinic
Edward A. Halverson, CADC Director of DUI Services Arlington Center for Recovery
Dr. Karen White, CADC, NCRS, RCT Chief Executive Officer T.E.E.C.H
Ex-Officio Member:
Bakahia Madison, Psy D, LCPC, CADC Chair and tenured Professor Oakton College
Marc J. Battista, MA Associate Vice President of Workforce Education Dean of Business & Career Technologies Oakton College
What's Next?
We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.
