Program Description

The Human Services Associate Degree program trains learners to provide education, support, care, advocacy and/or crisis intervention in a human service agency. Learners acquire the skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities. Key components of this degree include: cultural awareness and an understanding of diverse cultural groups, a responsible attitude, commitment to serve others and effective communication skills. Learners will gain occupational experience through Field Experience 1 and Field Experience 2.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$11,374
Tuition & Fees: $10,721
Books & Supplies: $653

Starting Salary

$26,104–$44,200
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

Available

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An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

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at Wausau
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at Antigo
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at Medford
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at Phillips
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at Spencer
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at Wittenberg
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at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Cultivate professional relationships
  • Apply human services interventions and best practices
  • Utilize community resources
  • Demonstrate professionalism
  • Uphold the Ethical Standards and Values for Human Service Professionals
  • Model a commitment to cultural competence

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Youth Behavior Specialist
  • Direct Support Professional
  • Youth and Adult Worker
  • Mental Health Support Worker

Courses

The Human Services Associate Degree is a 66 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

Intro To Interviewing & Counseling Skills 3.00
Intro To Psychology 3.00
Introduction To Human Services 3.00
Boundaries & Ethics - Helping Professions 3.00
Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00
College 101 1.00

Second Term

Understanding Substance Use 3.00
Foundations Of Case Management 3.00
Developmental Psychology 3.00
Group Facilitation 3.00
Professional Readiness 1.00
College Mathematics 3.00

Third Term

Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00
Speech 3.00
Overview Of Mental Health Disorders 3.00
Introduction To Diversity Studies 3.00
Issues In Child Maltreatment 3.00
Crisis Intervention And Stress Management 3.00
Field Experience 1 2.00

Fourth Term

Introduction To Gerontology 3.00
Exceptional Person 3.00
Intro To Sociology 3.00
Human Sexuality 3.00
Family Systems 3.00
Field Experience 2 2.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Human Services Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2024–2025 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semesters — Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Expenses Student Living With Parents (Home) Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $3,008 $9,147
Books / Supplies $1,465 $1,465
Transportation $4,017 $4,017
Personal Expenses $3,608 $3,608
Loan Fees $85 $85
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance
In-State
$17,027
Out-of-State
$19,310
In-State
$23,166
Out-of-State
$25,449

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647
financialaid@ntc.edu

Additional Information

Scholarship Opportunities

Collaboration of Wisconsin Rural Investment in Community Healthcare (COW RICH) Grant (for students graduating by Spring 2024)

Additional funding may be available to assist with your training through external sources.

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Before you apply, you should know

  • This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record. Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record, however, a check may be required for placement at clinical sites or field experiences.
  • Locally located internship sites cannot be guaranteed. Students may have to move or drive a distance in order to complete internship courses. Scheduled internship attendance days and times for which students must be available vary by agency. Program faculty select, assign, and maintain college contracts with internship sites.

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The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

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What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.