What You Will Learn
If you want to help people live a meaningful life, particularly those in need of assistance and counseling, making changes in lifestyle, habit, relationships and more, consider the rewarding career path as a social worker.
The Associate of Arts in Health Services: Pre-Social Work program at CCM offers an ideal foundation for those considering social work or other related careers. The curriculum’s multidisciplinary, so you can develop theoretical and practical knowledge in areas such as:
- Social Welfare
- Public Policy
- Counseling
- Social and Behavioral Science
- Biological Science
- Multicultural Perspectives
- Humanities
- Economics
This diverse profession has a variety of work options, but above all you can use your dedication to improve social justice, compassionately helping clients and communities cope effectively in today’s complex world.
Curriculum
The 15-credit Human Services core at CCM consists of the following five courses:
- Community Mental Health
- The Family
- Human Needs and Social Services
- Introduction to Social Welfare
- Principles of Economics I
Careers in the Field
Social work lends itself to a plethora of rewarding careers. The program at CCM enables you to directly enter the workforce upon graduation. Here is just a sampling of who you can be!
- Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist
- Foster Care Social Worker
- Gerontological Social Worker
- Human Resources Coordinator/Specialist
- Marriage + Family Counselor
- Medical Social Worker
- Mental Health Counselor
- Occupational Social Worker
- Policy Analyst
- School Social Worker
The associate degree program is structured for seamless transfer to a four-year college or university, furthering your education to earn your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and also a Master of Social Work (MSW).
Students in the Human Services program at CCM frequently transfer to:
- Centenary University
- Montclair State University
- Ramapo College
- Rutgers University
CCM Transfer Services is here to help you with this seamless process.
Why Study Human Services at CCM?
- The Human Services program at CCM provides outstanding instruction and experiential learning to prepare students for advanced study and careers in a diverse and changing world
- A 15-credit core gives every student a broad overview into the profession
- The curriculum is aligned with national Social Work standards and blends academic and professional preparation in a wide variety of courses
- Faculty are dedicated to helping students develop their interests and pursue their goals
- Courses are interactive with small class size
Paying for Your Human Services Education
Earning an associate degree in health services is a powerful investment that will pay off over the course of your life, in both increased earnings and job satisfaction. But what is the upfront cost, and how do you afford it?
There’s good news: Money is available to help you pay for school! Our Financial Aid staff can provide lots of information about the process of finding funds to help pay for your education.
Featured Courses
Introduction to Social Welfare and Human Services
An introduction to the goals, values and philosophy of social work as a profession. Examines the relationship between attitudes and values, economic, political and cultural conditions, and the evolution of social welfare services focusing attention on the historical developments of social services in the United States. Provides understanding of the basic elements of the client-worker relationship.
Human Needs and Social Services
This course presents a conceptual framework through which human behavior is systematically understood. It explores the needs of people as determined by their biological and psycho/social growth and development, and by their special relationship to society and its problems. The means by which these needs can be met by the social welfare system also are presented.
Community Mental Health
A survey of institutional and community-based mental health programs of prevention and treatment, sources of environmental stress, identification of high risk groups, and the role of professionals and volunteers in the field.
Resources
Your Human Services Faculty Advisor
Dr. Jill Schennum Department Chair of Social Science
Email: jschennum@ccm.edu
Office: DeMare Hall, DH 317
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 12:30-2:00
Phone: 973-328-5610
Specialization: Anthropology
Department: Social Science
Richard Reinschmidt Adjunct Professor
Email: rreinschmidt@ccm.edu
Office: DH 300
Office hours: By appointment
Phone: 973-328-5602
Specialization: Sociology
Department: Social Science
