Human Services employees are called upon to provide a wealth of services to people at every stage of life, from infancy to senior adulthood. The Human Services field encompasses hundreds of different careers in both public and private organizations. Common to all of these Human Services careers is one underlying goal: to help those in need overcome obstacles, and learn to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives. At GCC, students can choose to specialize in a particular field within Human Services, such as: • Alcohol and substance abuse • Gerontology • Developmental disabilities

Many GCC students experience valuable internship field placements in the areas advocacy, youth, adolescent and family services, government agencies, legal services, recreation and rehabilitation. Upon successful completion of the AS Human Services program, the graduate will be able to: • Analyze critical thinking skills required for transfer institution level learning. • Evaluate fundamental helping skills necessary for practice in the human service field. • Assess theories/models that impact best practice standards. • Evaluate intrapersonal competencies that influence quality of internship outcomes. • Appraise verbal and written skills essential for collaboration with supervisors, colleagues, and clients. • Analyze culturally competent techniques for effective engagement with diverse populations. • Examine human service ethical standards within the profession. • Explain social policy that drives human service practice (client care, community resources available and roles of human service helpers).