Darton State College
Home » Programs » Social Science » Human Services
Human Services Technology
What is Human Services?
The HST Program is designed to prepare entry level direct care providers in mental health, addiction/substance abuse, gerontology, and other existing and/or emerging human service settings. The student must demonstrate competence in:
- Interviewing skills
- Beginning group and/or individual intervention skills based on client treatment plans
- Identification and documentation of patterns of normal and abnormal behavior
- Record keeping/reporting skills
- The ability to write a treatment plan
- The ability to function as an active team member
- Beginning competency in service coordination skills
A human service professional can range from a disaster relief worker to a psychiatrist depending on how much education one chooses to acquire.
Currently there are two options for Human Services majors – Community Health/Mental Health Worker and Addiction/Substance Abuse Counselor. The Addiction/Substance Abuse Counselor option is approved by the Georgia Addiction Counselor’s Association (GACA) for contact hours acceptable for certification and re-certification credit.
You must apply and be accepted by Darton College and the Human Services Technology Program. Refer to and complete the requirements outlined in the "How I apply?" document for instructions on applying to Darton and the Human Services Technology Application Packet.
What Can I do with it?
- Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or Rehabilitation: The Human Services Technology Program has negotiated two-plus-two articulation agreements with Georgia Southwestern State University, and Thomas University. Students who graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Human Services Technology from Darton College are able to transfer as juniors into the Psychology or Sociology bachelor degree programs at Georgia Southwestern State University. They may make a similar transfer to the Social Work or Rehabilitation Services bachelor degree programs at Thomas University.
- Employment Opportunities: The profession of human services is one of the top ten “hot job tracks” in the nation and in the state of Georgia. It is the fourth fastest growing occupation with 100 annual openings or more. As our lives become more complex, more problems in living occur, and more human service jobs are created. Entry level salaries average about $25,000/year; midlevel salaries range from $26,000-$35,000; and top level salaries start at about $52,000/year. Check the following web site for possible career opportunities:
- National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) www.nationalhumanservices.org
- Southern Organization for Human Services (SOHS) www.sohse.org
- Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) www.cshse.org
- Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA) www.gaca.org
- National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) www.naadac.org
What Courses do I take?
Program Specific Financial Aid:
- Madge Holm Memorial Human Services Technology Scholarship
- Scholarship criteria are listed in the Darton College Student Handbook, starting on page 38.
http://www.darton.edu/Documentation/2010-2011_Handbook.pdf#page=38
Program Contact: Elaine Blankenship
Content Contact: Gene Behal (web representative)
The Darton State College web site is maintained by the Technology Services Division.
