Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Benefits Program Specialist

Career Studies Certificate
Virginia Peninsula Community College

This career studies certificate is designed to provide human service specific content and practical experiences within various organizations and agencies. This curriculum requires students to take courses rooted in critical thinking, historical perspectives of human services, professional skills, effective communication strategies, family structure and dynamics and a human services internship experience. This career studies certificate falls under the Associates of Applied Science in Human Services.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for details
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Peninsula Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

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.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

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.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Benefits Program Specialist
16
Career Studies Certificate in Benefits Program Specialist
16
Plan GPA 221-480-14
16
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 12 credits may be applied to this program.
HMS 100
3
HMS 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HMS 161
3
HMS 161
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HMS 162
3
HMS 162
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HMS 226
3
HMS 226
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HMS 290
3
HMS 290
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals.
Credit for Prior Learning https://catalog.vpcc.edu/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=2654
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Peninsula Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?

Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) offers accessible education and workforce training to Virginia Peninsula residents. VPCC offers excellent educational programs developed in collaboration with other educational and industry partners, offered at affordable tuition, convenient locations, and flexible schedules. VPCC faculty deliver high-quality instruction and the small class sizes allow for more personalized attention for students. VPCC prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions or to gain employment in in-demand careers. VPCC offers scholarships, internships, and is nationally recognized for serving military members and their families. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/admissions/why.html

Transfer Student Catalog Year The student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance and program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance and program placement
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Virginia's community colleges offer students more than the opportunity to earn a degree or certificate; they provide a gateway to the Commonwealth's four-year colleges. Through system-wide negotiated agreements, students who graduate from a Virginia community college with an associate degree and the minimum grade point average required by the four-year college are guaranteed admission to many of the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. Students should review the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for the four-year institution they wish to attend to learn more about the process: https://www.vpcc.edu/services/advising/transfer.html
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science of Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services - Pre Social Work SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Human Services-Early Childhood Development SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science with a major in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mental Health DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science in Substance AbuseAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Community & Provider Services MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Developmental Disabilities MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Substance Abuse MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Human Services MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Old Dominion UniversityHuman Services-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
21-1099.00Community and Social Service Specialists, All OtherAll community and social service specialists not listed separately.Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1093.00Social and Human Service AssistantsAssist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.Community and Social Service Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 16 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Career Studies Certificate in Benefits Program Specialist at Virginia Peninsula Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 1 semesters or 0.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $165 Per Credit $2,640 $0 $2,640
Fees
Safety/Parking Fee $2 Per Credit $32 0 $32
Student Activity Fee $2 Per Credit $32 0 $32
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.