Program Details
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services
Associate of Applied ScienceVirginia Western Community College
The Human Services program prepares students for entry-level positions in the helping fields and/or for transfer to a bachelor degree program in social work or human services. Through courses and an internship at a local human services agency, students develop skills and knowledge in working with people who have physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, adolescents, the aged, people who abuse substances, and the child or adult in crisis. Employment opportunities are varied and include
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Do you have a passion for helping people? Do you want to help individuals recover from substance abuse and/or mental illness? Would you like to help people find hope and direction in times of crisis? Do you want to help children and families improve their relationships? Do you want to help link people with much needed resources? Do you want to learn to use your own experience to help others on their path? Do you want to help others but are not sure how? |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
MEN 101* is only offered in the fall semester and is a prerequisite for many classes. Students entering the Human Services Program should make this their first class selection. Admission to Internship: Admission to MEN 290* (Coordinated Internship) is selective and must be approved by the Program Head. Eligibility is based upon the following criteria: A minimum GPA of 2.0, Successful completion of course prerequisites, Expected graduation date. Students will be required to submit to a background check that includes The State of Virginia Criminal History & Sex Offenders Records Check (SP-167) and the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. Positive findings on the background check may limit and/or prohibit internship placement. It is recommended that students discuss any concerns about background checks with the Program Head no later than their first semester in the program. Students are responsible for all fees associated with background checks. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from placement sites. Students who do not meet the professional standards of the Human Services Program and/or the participating clinical agency may be withdrawn from the internship experience. Inability to complete the above will disqualify the student from the course and from completing the program. The internship application process begins the semester prior to taking the class. Students planning to take MEN 290 in a fall semester should contact the Program Head for an application in February. Those planning to take it in a spring semester should request an application in September.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | The Human Services program requires completion of a 180 hour internship with a local human services agency. Admission to the MEN 290 (Coordinated Internship) class is selective and must be approved by and coordinated with the Human Services Program Head. Eligibility for internship is based upon the following criteria: minimum GPA of 2.0, completion of course prerequisites (MEN 100, MEN 101 and MEN 102), faculty recommendations, expected graduation date and any relevant internship site requirements. Please note that completion of the course prerequisite classes alone is not guarantee of admission to the internship class. In addition, any student who does not meet the professional standards of Virginia Western Community College, the Human Services program and/or the participating clinical agency may be refused admission to the internship or withdrawn from the internship class and the Human Services program. Students who are terminated by the internship site, fail the internship course or are removed from the class will not be allowed to repeat the class and will therefore, be unable to graduate from the Human Services program. Students who are removed or withdrawn from the internship for inappropriate conduct may be referred to the college's disciplinary committee. |
Doing More With Your Degree | The Human Services AAS degree prepares students for direct employment upon completion of the degree. However, this program may also transfer to a four-year institution. Students interested in transferring should verify program requirements with specific four-year institutions and with the program head for Human Services. Virginia Western has entered into the following agreement specific to the Human Services program. This list is subject to change, and the most current agreements can be found on our Transfer Agreements page. |
Program Successes & Highlights | https://www.virginiawestern.edu/ie/research/student-goals/ |
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 | To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Yes |
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? | Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the Virginia Community College System, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 8,500 students in credit courses and more than 1,200 enrollments in accelerated career training and continuing education courses. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/ |
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 |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, 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 |
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 |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Health Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
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 |
Emory & Henry University | Civic Innovation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
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 |
21-1094.00 | Community Health Workers | Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1091.00 | Health Education Specialists | Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs. | Community and Social Service 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
