Human Services

Would you like to help others solve life problems? Be prepared to work in settings as diverse as medical, social welfare, incarceration, rehabilitation, or schools? The LBCC Human Services degree will be a good fit; it prepares students to transfer into Human Development and Family Sciences, Social Work, and other related bachelor degree programs.

The field of Human Services is broadly defined, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations, with a focus on equity and social justice. With a human services degree you will have the choice of many career paths!

Human Services Practicum

Students who stay in the Human Services major have the opportunity to complete a 90-hour practicum in the field in which they work to obtain the first five standards of the Human Services profession. This is a personalized experience: as a practicum student, you’ll work one-on-one with LBCC faculty to determine the best placement for you.

Note, in order to enroll in practicum, you’ll need to start preparing about one and a half terms in advance. Talk with your advisor for more information.

The practicum is a five-credit course and requires:

1. Nine scheduled hours per week at work/practicum site.
2. Two hours per week scheduled seminar with instructor and peers.
3. HDFS 262 (Intro to Human Services) should be complete or in process prior to enrolling in the practicum.
4. Meet with the Human Services faculty at least a term prior to the start of your practicum.

Please contact hughed@linnbenton.edu if you have specific questions about the practicum.

Human Services Co-Curricular: Change Makers

Bridging the gap between what we learn in class and our future careers helping others, Change Makers is a group of students who are motivated to make a difference at LBCC. A co-curricular for Human Development and Family Sciences majors, all students are welcome to join us! Learn more about Change Makers.

Should you be pursuing QMHA?

LBCC's associate degrees significantly prepare students for career paths that lead to becoming a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA.) We encourage students to consult with their instructors for guidance on how our programs align with the qualifications needed for QMHA certification.

The QMHA certification, offered by the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon is beneficial for individuals pursuing careers in various mental health and addiction-related fields. Holding a QMHA certification can enhance opportunities in occupations such as mental health technician, behavioral health specialist, case manager, community support specialist, or residential counselor. These roles often involve providing direct support and assistance to individuals dealing with mental health challenges or substance use disorders.