The Human Services degree is designed for students who wish to work in a wide variety of settings with a focus on helping others. The Human Services associate degree is articulated for transfer to the Social Work degree at New Mexico Highlands University.
The Human Services degree provides for diverse learning based upon student’s interests to include: substance abuse counseling, child development, family studies, sociology, psychology, and criminal justice.
Students can take specified electives to become a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) or obtain a certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling to satisfy program electives. The LSAA provides individuals with the entry-level licensure required to work in the field of Substance Abuse Counseling to gain required supervised internship hours for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) license.
The associate degree in Human Services and the certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling meet the requirements for becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) through the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Board after completing internship hours and passing the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level 1 exam. For questions regarding specific requirements for the LSAA and the LADAC certification, contact the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (NMCTPB) at www.rld.state.nm.us or (505) 476-4610.
An associate degree in Human Services is often required for obtaining a position as a social services assistant. Social workers are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) or higher. A master’s degree in social work (MSW) can provide opportunities for advancement into human services management. Graduates from the program may transfer to designated four-year institutions that grant bachelor’s degrees in Human Services. The Human Services concentration is specifically articulated for transfer to New Mexico Highlands University’s (Rio Rancho and Albuquerque) bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Many of our courses are transferable to four-year degree programs, and CNM currently has transfer agreements with many colleges and universities in New Mexico and elsewhere.
Employment Information
Students pursuing a degree in Social Work have the opportunity to work with many types of people in a variety of settings. They may work with children and families, older adults, or people with mental illnesses. They often work in hospitals, nursing homes, substance abuse centers, and government agencies. The duties of a social worker or social services assistant may include planning group therapy, assisting clients with applying for social programs such as Medicare and welfare, and maintaining accurate client records.
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