Program Details
Associate of Applied Science in Human Services
Associate of Applied ScienceNew River Community College
The Associate of Applied Science in Human Services is designed to prepare highly skilled graduates for employment in a wide variety of human services settings, to update and enrich the capacities of those persons presently employed in the human services field, and to prepare students for transfer to a bachelor degree program in human services, social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, or other related field. Graduates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for professional work in community service agencies and organizations and informed by the National Organization for Human Services.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Human Services program is about people working with people. The program is designed to provide about one-third of its requirements in general education and the remainder in human services related courses. To get the most benefit from the program, students should work closely with their faculty advisor in planning curriculum and their field experiences. The student will spend a minimum of 450 hours working in supervised internships in social service settings, approved by the program head. Application for internship should be made the semester prior to placement. Students should note that agencies may require a criminal background report and/or a child abuse central registry search and/or a TB test as a prerequisite to beginning the internship experience. An agency may deny participation for findings on the reports. Affliliation agreements prevent the placement of a student who is denied internship participation at one facility into an internship agreement at another agency. Inability to meet the internship requirements prevents the student from satisfactorily achieving the course objectives resulting in failure of the course. Students are required to go through an oral interview at the conclusion of the program for assessment purposes. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college after completing A.A.S. degree requirements should inform their academic advisors at the beginning of studies to determine the appropriate courses to meet transfer requirements.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | In determining transfer credit, course work applicable to the program at NRCC will be accepted if the courses were taken at another college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency. Other course work taken at instutions which are appoved by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia may be considered on an individual basis. At least 25% of the credits for a program must be earned at NRCC. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://catalog.nr.edu/content.php?catoid=36&navoid=2647#credit-for-prior-learning |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | New River Community College (NRCC) is a comprehensive community college located in the New River Valley of Virginia which includes Giles, Floyd, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and the city of Radford. NRCC is part of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), a statewide system of community colleges. At NRCC students can prepare for the future with any of the various occupational programs or college transfer courses. With NRCC's wide selection of courses, you can explore your interests, prepare for a career, or increase your job skills. At the same time, at New River you'll find small classes and instructors who care about their students, along with a variety of services to help students, from counseling to career planning. NRCC faculty members are well known not just for their academic background, but also for their capacity to work closely and effectively with students. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nr.edu/transfer/vccstransferagreements.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services - Pre Social Work Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Bridgewater College | Psychology Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Human Services Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: Deaf Studies Specialization, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Psychology/Social Work Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Major in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Social Work, Major in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Social Work BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BSW in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
George Mason University | Social Work, BSW | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | Hybrid |
Norfolk State University | Baccalaureate in Social Work | Bachelor | Baccalaureate in Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
Ferrum College | B.S.W. in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | General Studies, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Emory & Henry University | Civic Innovation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science of Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mental Health Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Substance Abuse | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Community & Provider Services Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Developmental Disabilities Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Substance Abuse Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Human Services Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Old Dominion University | Human Services-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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21-1014.00 | Mental Health Counselors | Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1011.00 | Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors | Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
11-9151.00 | Social and Community Service Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers. | Management Occupations |
21-1022.00 | Healthcare Social Workers | Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1023.00 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
25-1113.00 | Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
31-1133.00 | Psychiatric Aides | Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies. | Healthcare Support Occupations |
29-2053.00 | Psychiatric Technicians | Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
21-1099.00 | Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | All community and social service specialists not listed separately. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
43-4061.00 | Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
21-1021.00 | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1019.00 | Counselors, All Other | All counselors not listed separately. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1013.00 | Marriage and Family Therapists | Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1092.00 | Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1029.00 | Social Workers, All Other | All social workers not listed separately. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
Cost To Complete
