The Human Services (HS) program is designed to meet the educational needs of those working in the human services field.  The curriculum is competency based and designed to use active learning to enhance the experiences and understandings that students bring to the classroom, to provide culturally appropriate models and concepts that can be applied to students’ work environments, to enhance personal growth and well-being, and to develop a professionalism that allows students to become leaders in the human services community.

Graduates of the program are expected to :

1. Understand the scope and history of the human services field, especially in the context of the Alaskan experience. 
2. Acquire competencies required of human services professionals in interviewing skills, care coordination, crisis intervention, group facilitation, cultural competence, management, and service documentation.
3. Understand and apply ethical principles of the profession.
4. Develop professional writing skills, including the ability to write in APA format.
5. Understand and apply research principles to current professional reading, evaluation and other applied research needs of an agency.

The Associate of Arts degree provides a basic understanding of human service principles and prepares the student for entry level positions in human services.

As well, as a graduate, you will earn a degree with demonstrated achievement in APU’s Essential Competencies:  Effective Communication; Critical Thinking; Cultural & Historical Perspective; Scientific Inquiry; and Ethical Engagement.

Associate of Arts degree courses can be applied toward a Bachelor of Arts degree.