Major code AA5201
Office of Regional Higher Education
Ohio University Southern
1804 Liberty Avenue
Ironton, OH 45638
Phone: 740.533.4600
nelsond@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/southern
David Nelson, contact person
Program Overview
The human services technology (HST) program offers a two-year course of study leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program offers a generalist approach, which provides knowledge and skills applicable to the provision of help to diverse people in various settings (e.g., mental health, social services, corrections, etc.).
The HST practicum courses provide the opportunity for first-hand experiences with a wide range of human needs and problems. Placements are available in a variety of settings and programs such as: mental health, chemical dependency, social services, domestic violence, adult and juvenile corrections, prevention services, children services, Goodwill, and community action programs.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
This program will require that students participate in a BCI background check in addition to the Ohio University admission requirements.
Change of Program Requirements
No selective or limited admission requirements are required of human service technology majors.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements and a BCI background check, unless one has been done for another institution. Students are encouraged to meet with the human services technology program coordinators to discuss the transfer of coursework from another institution.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
The human services technology program (HST) offers a two-year course of study leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program offers a generalist approach, which provides knowledge and skills applicable to a diversity of settings (e.g., mental health, social services, corrections, etc.). Students may be eligible to apply for a Social Work Assistant certification in the State of Ohio and/or a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant license in the State of Ohio dependent upon current licensure or certification laws, practicum work experience, and supervision specifications.
Secondly, by supplementing technical training with a broad academic background in the traditional liberal arts areas, students are well prepared to pursue various various four-year degree options, some of which can provide the necessary academic background for graduate study in human service-related fields such as counseling or social work. The HST curriculum allows graduates to further their education by complete a bachelor’s degree in communication, criminal justice, technical and applied studies (B.T.A.S. in a social service track) or in specialized studies with as few as two additional years of full-time study. Students are also encourage to progress to either a Master of Education degree majoring in counseling or a Master of Social Work degree.
Graduates may find employment in areas such as human service worker, case manager, chemical dependency counselor assistant, social work assistant, community support worker, mental health technician, prevention specialist, community outreach worker, life skills counselor, childrens advocacy worker, or gerontology aide. The social service agencies in which our graduates may expect to find employment are too numerous to list (i.e., wide ranging from child protection services, mental retardation case management services, mental health centers, adoption and foster care services).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the human service technology major, students will have:
- Learned skills applicable to diverse settings, including mental health facilities, prisons, social service agencies, and nursing homes.
- Completed a practicum that demonstrates the development of their professional and ethical helping attitudes, values, and beliefs.
- Gained a greater understanding of the culture and diversity of clients.
- Learned how to help, educate, and interact with clients using intervention techniques and strategies.
- Developed the necessary academic skills to pursue additional degrees and certifications.
Requirements