Human Services

Program Statement

The Human Services program attracts a diverse student population who share a common desire to work with and help people. The Human Services program provides the academic coursework and field experience necessary for successful, entry-level careers in human services, as well as a strong foundation for transfer to colleges and universities with bachelor's programs in social work, human services or other related majors. Combining coursework in general education, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities with human services courses, students gain knowledge of the field and develop professional skills and engage in learning opportunities to help them develop as culturally competent and ethical practitioners. Graduates are trained as generalists to work with communities, families, seniors, adults, adolescents and children in a variety of settings with a commitment to social justice. This 61-63 credit program has been developed to align with the MassTransfer Human Services to Social Work Pathway.

Program Information

• SER 291 includes a 125 hour supervised agency internship that places special time demands on students and is ideally taken in the last year of study. A criminal background check (CORI and/or SORI) and/or drug test may be required by and at the discretion of the field experience host location prior to participation in the field experience. Faculty will work individually with students to select the best field experience for each student's background, but please know placement sites may be limited.
• Choose courses and electives with Department Chair or Human Service Faculty to maximize transfer credits.
• Add a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling, Gerontology, Thanatology, Gender and Race Studies or Deaf Studies to enrich career preparation.
• Consider applying for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) 

After Bristol

• The most popular transfer choices include Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs or Bachelor in Human Services at Bridgewater State University, Rhode Island College, UMass Global, UMass Boston, William James College, and Lesley University and psychology or sociology at UMass Dartmouth. Work with the Department Chair or Human Services Faculty early to select courses to maximize transfer possibilities. 
• Bristol participates in the statewide MassTransfer program and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer. For a complete listing of eligible MassTransfer programs, current Bristol articulation agreements, and to complete an A2B Program Search, visit the Transfer Services website to review which credits will be transferred and applied to your degree. 

Program Mission Statement

Bristol Community College’s Human Services program provides an accessible, innovative, and inclusive education which prepares ethical and socially responsible graduates to serve individuals, groups and communities by respecting the dignity and welfare of all people, promoting self-determination, honoring diversity, advocating for social justice, and being catalysts for shaping a just, humane and sustainable world.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to: 

• Demonstrate ethical and professional practice through a culturally competent framework with a variety of populations in diverse settings.
• Using a social justice lens, identify the connections between social welfare policies and the delivery of and access to social services.
• Demonstrate helping skills to engage in culturally responsive practice with clients.
• Examine personal biases, values, beliefs and experiences and the impact they have on assessing clients, building impartial relationships, and providing services.
• Use a multidisciplinary lens to assess clients in their environment and provide relevant services.