
Human Services Associate
Associate Degree
60 Credits | 2 Years
Financial Aid-Eligible
Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior
Hybrid instruction
Career Cluster: Human Services
The Human Service Associate program prepares you to provide information, support, care and advocacy within the helping profession. Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to assist in areas such as social work, substance abuse counseling, case management and advocacy. Choose from a multitude of career options in a variety of community-based settings.
Program Overview
In this program, you will acquire the skills needed to support people of diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Work within county human services agencies, community-based organizations, residential treatment programs, schools, inpatient facilities and other settings that help people in need. Assist a variety of populations including youth, families, elders and persons with disabilities. You can choose from multiple careers focused on substance abuse counseling, domestic and family violence, community development, prevention and criminal justice. Once you complete the program, you will have successfully met the required 360 hours of approved specialized education in substance use disorder counseling in accordance with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, added to the Wisconsin Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF) Employee Registry.
Program Outcomes
Human Services Associate graduates will be able to:
- Model a commitment to cultural competence
- Uphold the ethical standards and values for human service professionals
- Demonstrate professionalism
- Utilize community resources
- Apply human services interventions and best practices
- Cultivate professional relationships
Explore the Human Services field through counseling simulations, community-based observation and field experiences within area organizations and agencies.

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Academics
Full program course offerings are now available at Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake and Superior. Take courses online, by web conferencing, and in person in a traditional classroom setting.
Convenient for You
Full program course offerings are available at the Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake and Superior campus locations. Take classes online, by web conferencing and in traditional classroom format.
Community Connections
You'll develop community connections with courses that immerse you in the community. Engage in 300+ hours of supervised community-based fieldwork, network with human service professionals and participate in service-focused activities.
Career-Enhancing Credentials
Graduates will meet the educational requirements for Wisconsin’s Substance Abuse Counselor certification, will be added to Wisconsin’s Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF) Employee Registry.
Curriculum
Coursework addresses the scope, values, and principles of the human services profession. Emphasis is placed on ethical practice, professionalism, individual, group and family counseling/casework and substance abuse assessment and treatment. Learned knowledge and skills will be applied through counseling simulations, community-based observation and field experiences within area organizations and agencies
Featured Human Services Associate Courses
Human Services Associate is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Human Services Associate student at WITC, you can earn credentials each step of the way.
You could take this first and get a credential.
This is the program you’re looking at.
Transfer your credits to obtain your bachelor's degree.
Human Services Associate Transfer Options
Admissions and Tuition
WITC has a simple admission process that can be completed in one visit. To start the process, simply fill out an application form along with a $30 application fee. After you’ve successfully submitted your application, your next step is to schedule an admissions meeting with a WITC counselor to discuss your goals and expectations. That’s it!
Tuition and Fees
WITC breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits and scholarships.
Estimated Total Program Costs 2020-21*
Human Services Associate
60 Credits | 2 Years
$9,216
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the WITC Human Services Associate Program
Upon completion of the program, you will obtain technical diplomas in Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF) Caregiver and Substance Abuse Counselor Education, and an associate degree in Human Services Associate.

Transfer Options
Transfer your WITC credits to a four-year college in Wisconsin to obtain your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
WITC's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
WITC’s Human Services Associate program is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin's licensing criteria. However, WITC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in the state to verify that the WITC program meets licensure or certification requirements.