Major code AA5201 

Office of Regional Higher Education
Ohio University Chillicothe
Bennett Hall 234
101 University Drive
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: 740.774.7287
Fax: 740.774.7295
mahaffey@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/chillicothe

Barbara Mahaffey, 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.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH, 2008) projected a nearly 34% employment increase by the year 2016 with excellent job prospects (114,000 new jobs over the next 10 years), which is much faster than the average of all occupations (OOH). Three in ten of those workers will be employed in government agencies. According to Occupational Outlook Handbook, qualified applicants should have little difficulty finding employment in many 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). Two examples of job growth within the next 10 years with the highest anticipated demand for workers outside of state or federally funded social service agencies are in the areas of chemical dependency counselors and gerontology workers.
 

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