Program Description:

The Direct Support in Human Services Certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills to effectively support individuals who may have disabilities or who seek assistance from human-service agencies. The program offers courses to develop the basic skills that have been identified by the U.S. Department of Labor as key to becoming a competent human-service worker. Students are also prepared to enter the associate degree program in Human Services.

• Visit the Department Website for this program
• View the Academic Map for this program

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Graduates are competitive candidates for immediate employment or advancement in human-service agencies. The coursework transfers into the Human Services Associate in Science degree program.

Helpful Hints:

Students who are currently employed by agencies funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation may be eligible for scholarships and subsidies for the certificate program. Students should contact the Direct Support in Human Services Certificate program coordinator for scholarship information.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Direct Support in Human Services Certificate program are prepared to:

• Demonstrate basic counseling skills, including active listening, paraphrasing, confronting and engaging clients;
• Use their understanding of the human-service system in the United States, the history, course of development, and the current operation of services designed to assist major target populations;
• Recognize problems in the human-service system, analyze causes and contributing factors to the problem, and posit appropriate professional responses to the problems identified;
• Demonstrate basic writing and research skills necessary to the profession;
• Understand and apply Community Support Skill Standards;
• Apply the ethical standards for human-service workers in internship experiences;
• Demonstrate an understanding of group process and the dynamics found in client groups;
• Analyze the impact of cultural differences in providing human services and demonstrate cultural competence in working with people of different abilities, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.