Human Services

The Virginia Western Human Services Program gives you the skills and experience you need to start a successful career in human services and mental health. This program is designed to provide you with the education and hands-on training necessary to make an immediate impact in the field with in-classroom training and an internship program that provides real-world experience. If you’re committed to helping those in need and serving your community, then take the first step toward a meaningful and impactful future in human services.   

Why choose Human Services?   

Earning your Human Services degree gives you the opportunity to support your community and work with several different public and private organizations, including:   

• Local social services agencies  
• Community services boards  
• Private community mental health agencies 
• Mental health clinics 
• Public health departments 
• One-on-one and/or group in-home support 
• Substance use disorder clinics 
• Peer support groups  

What skills will I learn?  

Human services professionals are in high demand, and the need for qualified workers is growing. With this program, you’ll learn how to empower individuals to overcome challenges and promote long-term self-sufficiency. This program focuses on helping others build resilience and independence rather than just providing short-term solutions. You’ll not only develop professional expertise throughout the program but also key personal skills. Learn soft skills integral to human services like active listening, critical thinking and empathy. These abilities are essential for helping others whether in crisis situations or in ongoing support roles.  

Completion of this degree program provides Didactic Educational qualifications that meet the requirements to be licensed as a “Qualified Mental Health provider-Trainee”.

Learn more: Watch the WDBJ7 Hometown Jobs report on Human Services at Virginia Western!

Related Programs

• Human Services: Foundations (Career Studies Certificate)
• Human Services: Advanced Skills (Career Studies Certificate)

Admission to Internship (MEN 290)

The Human Services program requires completion of a 180 hour internship with a local human services agency. Admission to the MEN 290 (Coordinated Internship) class is selective and must be approved by and coordinated with the Human Services Program Head. Eligibility for internship is based upon the following criteria: minimum GPA of 2.0, completion of course prerequisites (MEN 100, MEN 101 and MEN 102), faculty recommendations, expected graduation date and any relevant internship site requirements. Please note that completion of the course prerequisite classes alone is not guarantee of admission to the internship class. In addition, any student who does not meet the professional standards of Virginia Western Community College, the Human Services program and/or the participating clinical agency may be refused admission to the internship or withdrawn from the internship class and the Human Services program. Students who are terminated by the internship site, fail the internship course or are removed from the class will not be allowed to repeat the class and will therefore, be unable to graduate from the Human Services program. Students who are removed or withdrawn from the internship for inappropriate conduct may be referred to the college’s disciplinary committee.

Transferring

If you’re considering an AAS program and interested in transferring to a four-year college or university, contact a program advisor upon entry to the program to discuss your plans.  

Virginia Western has entered into the following agreement specific to the Human Services program. This list is subject to change, and the most current agreements can be found on our Transfer Agreements page. 

• Old Dominion University: Human Services to BS in Human Services (PDF)