Human Services Degree | Gateway Technical College

Gain valuable experience through 300 hours of field work. Train hands-on in youth shelters, resource centers or nonprofits to learn the skills you need and get a feel for your future career.
Get involved by joining Gateway’s Human Services Club and assist with many projects, including Community Awareness Day, a dance for adults with disabilities and fundraisers to help local agencies.
Specialize your education by earning Human Services certificates in Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (AODA), Aspects of Disabilities, Case Management, Child Welfare and Gerontology.
Make a difference by beginning an enriching career in human services. Work as a mental health technician, family advocate, case manager or social work assistant doing what you do best—helping others.
Earn your bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, human services or more by transferring your associate degree credits to one of the many universities with which Gateway has Human Services transfer agreements.

Program Credits

61

LOCATION

Elkhorn Campus, Kenosha Campus, Racine Campus

Financial Aid Eligible

Yes

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST

Tuition & Fees: $10,373
Books and Supplies: $5,033

Start Dates

Fall, Spring

Salary Outlook

$43,202

Career Opportunities:

Caseworker, Social Services Coordinator, Community Outreach Specialist, Family Support Worker, Behavioral Health Specialist

Human Services Associate Career Pathway

Career Pathways are designed to help you reach your educational goals and explore college and career options. Pathways are made up of related certificates, diplomas and degrees that build on common skills and knowledge. You can begin at any point on the Career Pathway and customize your pathway to fit your goals. View the pathway for your area of interest.

There are many opportunities, both in high school and through previous college, work, and/or military experience, to earn credit for prior learning at Gateway.

Associate degrees are typically completed in two years by full-time students and combine hands-on technical skills with general education. Associate degree opportunities in this pathway include:

Human Services Associate

Prepare to enter your exciting new career, or choose to continue your education with another Gateway program or by transferring your credits to a four-year college or university.

Curriculum Sheet:

10-520-3 Human Services Associate Full-Time 2025-26 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Part Time Curriculum:

10-520-3 Human Services Associate Part-Time 2025-26 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Course Number: 103-143Credits: 3.00

This course introduces students to the use of a PC through hands-on practice. Students explore the fundamentals of using digital technologies to connect, learn, and engage. Students will use the version of Microsoft Office software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint) in use at Gateway Technical College. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to use MS Office applications.

Course Number: 801-136Credits: 3.00

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

Course Number: 890-155Credits: 1.00

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

Course Number: 520-101Credits: 3.00

In this course, students examine the scope of the human service field and the principles of the human service profession. They explore human services agencies and delivery systems and the typical roles and duties of human service workers. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain the role of the human service worker and the environments in which they practice.

Course Number: 520-105Credits: 3.00

In this course, students explore concepts related to interviewing and documentation skills as practiced in human services agencies. They analyze and practice skills associated with active listening, proper attending, case planning, assessment, social history, and summary recording. Upon completion of the course, students will develop techniques for conducting an interview and apply case management and documentation skills as practiced in human services agencies.

Course Number: 809-198Credits: 3.00

This course introduces students to some of the major theories and topics of psychology, including the physiological basis of behavior, personality and learning theories, memory, states of consciousness, stress, research methods, intelligence, human development, psychopathology, and social behavior.

Course Number: 520-110Credits: 3.00

In this course, students explore a wide variety of community agencies, resources, and programs. They assess their functions, funding sources, clients served, and eligibility requirements. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify and describe the characteristics of a variety of community agencies, resources, and programs.

Course Number: 520-115Credits: 3.00

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the major counseling theories, their techniques and the applications of these to various situations. The student will be able to practice the use of these counseling techniques in initiating, structuring and terminating a counseling session.

Course Number: 809-172Credits: 3.00

Race, Ethnic, and Diversity Studies is a course that draws from several disciplines to reaffirm the basic American values of justice and equality by teaching a basic vocabulary, a basic history of immigration and conquest, principles of transcultural communication, legal liability, and the value of aesthetic production to increase the probability of respectful encounters among people. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relations in a multicultural context, the topics of ageism, sexism, gender differences, sexual orientation, people with disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are explored. Ethnic relations are studied in global and comparative perspectives.

Course Number: 804-134Credits: 3.00

All college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts.

Course Number: 520-127Credits: 3.00

In this course, students examine characteristics of professionalism and effectiveness as a human service practitioner. They analyze professional ethical codes and standards for the major helping professions, and they practice applying them in a variety of case scenarios. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply the professional ethics of a human service practitioner to social and ethical issues.

Course Number: 550-130Credits: 3.00

In this course, students explore substance abuse disorders. They examine the assessment, counseling, and case management of substance abuse disorders. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain the role of the human service worker in AODA Rehabilitation.

Course Number: 520-102Credits: 3.00

Students will learn about crisis theory and its application to a variety of clientele and contexts. Students will also learn and practice a variety of verbal and non-verbal approaches to working with the client in crisis, steps in maintaining safety and will demonstrate their learning through direct, hands on approaches. Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to obtain a certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention through the Crisis Prevention Institute. This course does not teach CPI restraint methods.

Course Number: 520-140Credits: 3.00

In this course, students examine group dynamics, strategies, and therapeutic processes. They analyze the five stages of group development and explore various counseling approaches and their application to the group. Students engage in simulated counseling scenarios in which individual behaviors and motivations are identified. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain how to lead informational and supportive groups using a solution-focus model.

Course Number: 520-124Credits: 3.00

In this course, students practice applying professional Human Services skills and techniques in a Human Services setting. Under supervision, students will work directly with clients at a human service agency. Students will reflect on the demonstration of their skills with their peers. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to competently apply professional Human Services skills and techniques.

Course Number: 801-196Credits: 3.00

This course focuses upon developing speaking, verbal and nonverbal communication, and listening skills through individual presentations, group activities, and other projects.

Course Number: 520-152Credits: 3.00

In this course, students analyze the history of services and legislative processes involved in provision of services to people with disabilities. They examine various models and therapeutic interventions, and they explore different types of disability. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain medical diseases and disabilities and their impact on disabled individuals and their environments.

Course Number: 520-128Credits: 3.00

This class helps the student examine the economic, social, and political aspects of children's issues. It also addresses the U.S. welfare system, including proprietary, private, voluntary, and governmental agencies.

Course Number: 520-151Credits: 3.00

In this course, students explore the human service professional's role when working with families. They examine family systems theory, communication patterns, rules, and roles that impact how family members interact with each other. Students will explore how the human service worker can apply interventions and strategies to improve family functioning. Students analyze the impact of stressors on family functioning using case studies. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain major family therapy models of practice and strategies for working with families.

Course Number: 520-150Credits: 3.00

Identifies basic theories and facts about the aging process leading toward application of methods and techniques of serving the aged. Student will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the psychological and sociological experience of the older adult population.

Course Number: 520-121Credits: 3.00

The student is given the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of more advanced social work skills and techniques used in the field. This course will meet in a weekly seminar to monitor progress and address concerns.

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Application for Admission & Application Fee
Students must meet one of the following multiple measures: earned a technical diploma or higher,* earned a minimum high school GPA of 2.6, earned a minimum college GPA of 2.0 or submit ACT or Accuplacer test scores. Submit any needed transcripts or test scores. *Please note short term technical diplomas do not fulfill Multiple Measures. These programs include Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT, and Truck Driving.

Gateway Technical College’s Human Services Associate associate degree program is accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education (CSHSE). The program is offered full time on the Racine Campus and part time on the Kenosha and Elkhorn campus and combines classroom instruction with 300 hours of professional field work.

Student Achievement Indicators

Human Services Associate Technical Standards

Students in Gateway’s Human Services Associate associate degree program should be able to meet established technical standards. View the technical standards.

Agency Partnerships

Gateway’s Human Services Associate associate degree program partners with many area organizations and agencies including the YWCA, providing learning opportunities for program students.

“YWCA Southeast Wisconsin’s Employment Services and Dress for Success Racine programs have been working in partnership with Gateway Technical College’s Human Service Department since 2012. During this time we have sponsored many field interns at our organization and also served as advisors on the program’s advisory board. We believe that our organization is a great fit to work with Gateway’s program and look forward to a continued and mutually successful partnership!”

– Meline Grigorian, Program Manager YWCA Dress for Success