The Human Services Associate program trains students to provide information, support, care, and advocacy in a human service setting. Students acquire the skills needed to work with individuals, groups, and communities. They learn to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. General education courses included in the program teach students to better understand social problems. During the second year of the program, students receive fieldwork placement in a human service setting.

  • Overview
  • Is This Program for You?

    Do you have an interest in working with people in need, have effective communication and interpersonal skills, and an appreciation of cultural diversity? Human Services may be a rewarding career choice.

    Students entering the Human Services Associate program should:

    • Have a genuine interest to work with people in need.
    • Have effective communication and interpersonal skills.
    • Be psychologically and emotionally healthy.
    • Be able to think critically.
    • Be tolerant of different lifestyles, beliefs, and values.
    • Be able to maintain confidentiality.

    Program Basics

    Students must achieve a "C" grade or better in all courses within the curriculum to be eligible to progress.

  • Curriculum & Costs
  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,932
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,305
    Books and Supplies $1,463
    Personal Expenses $3,065
    Transportation $4,103
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $700
    Loan Fees $85
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $24,653
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,327

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Admissions & Requirements
  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
    • Admissions Preference Policy
      Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

    Academic Preparedness Requirements

      Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:

    • Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Career Assessment Plan
      Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
    • Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
      Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
  • Outcomes
  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Model a commitment to cultural competence
    • Uphold the Ethical Standards and Values for Human Service Professionals
    • Demonstrate professionalism
    • Utilize community and agency resources
    • Apply human services interventions and best practices
    • Cultivate professional relationships

    Technical Skill Attainment (TSA)

    This TSA scoring guide will be used to document your attainment of technical program outcomes for the Human Services Degree. To meet the requirements on the scoring guide, you will be asked to draw upon the skills and concepts that have been developed throughout the program and are necessary for successful employment in your field. Results will be used to inspire continual improvement of teaching and learning in Wisconsin Technical College System. In addition, this assessment will provide feedback to you about your performance.

    If you are unable to access documents here, please contact Technical Skill Attainment Team (tsa@swtc.edu, 608.822.2464)
  • Career Opportunities
  • Graduates from the Human Services Associate program are employed in county human service agencies, community-based organizations, residential treatment programs, schools, inpatient facilities, and other settings that assist people in need. Depending on their area of interest, graduates work with elders, teens, families, people with disabilities, people in the criminal justice system, domestic/family violence, community development, and prevention.

    Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning
  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

    Human Services Associate Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-520-101Introduction to Human ServicesYes
    10-520-102Ethics for the ProfessionYes
    10-520-103Issues In ATODAYes
    Wisconsin AODA Certificate or Portfolio
    10-520-104Community Resources and ServicesYes
    10-520-105Interviewing and Counseling TechniquesYes
    10-520-106Issues of GerontologyYes
    10-520-107Disability StudiesYes
    10-520-108Methods of Social CaseworkYes
    10-520-109Professional Documentation in Human ServicesYes
    10-520-112Children, Youth, & FamilyYes
    10-801-136English Composition 1Yes
    CLEP Test - College Composition
    10-804-123Math w Business AppsYes
    10-809-188Developmental PsychologyYes
    CLEP Test - Human Growth and Development
    10-809-196Introduction to SociologyYes
    10-809-198Introduction to PsychologyYes
    CLEP Test - Introduction to Psychology