Human Services

Human Services

Do you have a passion for helping people? Do you want to help individuals recover from substance abuse and/or mental illness? Would you like to help people find hope and direction in times of crisis? Do you want to help children and families improve their relationships? Do you want to help link people with much needed resources? Do you want to learn to use your own experience to help others on their path? Do you want to help others but are not sure how?

The VWCC Human Services program prepares students for entry-level positions in the helping fields and/or for transfer to a bachelor degree program in social work or human services. Through courses and an internship at a local human services agency, students develop skills and knowledge in working with people that have physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, adolescents, the aged, people who abuse substances, and the child or adult in crisis. Employment opportunities are varied and include entry-level positions in hospitals, residential facilities, community-based services and other human services agencies. Graduates may also transfer to a four-year college or university for bachelor’s degrees in human services or social work.

Learn more: Watch the WDBJ7 Hometown Jobs report on Human Services at Virginia Western!

Admission to Internship (MEN 290)

The Human Services program requires completion of a 180 hour internship with a local human services agency. Admission to the MEN 290 (Coordinated Internship) class is selective and must be approved by and coordinated with the Human Services Program Head. Eligibility for internship is based upon the following criteria: minimum GPA of 2.0, completion of course prerequisites (MEN 100, MEN 101 and MEN 102), faculty recommendations, expected graduation date and any relevant internship site requirements. Please note that completion of the course prerequisite classes alone is not guarantee of admission to the internship class. In addition, any student who does not meet the professional standards of Virginia Western Community College, the Human Services program and/or the participating clinical agency may be refused admission to the internship or withdrawn from the internship class and the Human Services program. Students who are terminated by the internship site, fail the internship course or are removed from the class will not be allowed to repeat the class and will therefore, be unable to graduate from the Human Services program. Students who are removed or withdrawn from the internship for inappropriate conduct may be referred to the college’s disciplinary committee.

Transfer Agreements

Students that graduate from Virginia Western with an associate degree and a minimum grade point average may obtain GUARANTEED admission to more than 30 of the commonwealth’s colleges and universities. Click here for a list of Virginia Transfer Partners.

In addition, Virginia Western has entered into the following agreement specific to the Human Services program. This list is subject to change, and the most current agreements can be found on our Transfer Agreements page.

• Old Dominion University: Human Services to BS in Human Services (PDF)
• Radford University: AAS in Human Services to BS in Social Work (PDF)

Explore Careers Related to This Pathway

Student Organization

The Virginia Western Community Action Network (VWCAN) student organization is housed in the Human Services program, but is open to all VWCC students. VWCAN’s mission is to provide volunteer service to local community agencies and advocate for those in need.

For More Information

For more information about the Human Services program or VWCAN, contact Dr. Annemarie Carroll at (540) 857-6178 or acarroll@virginiawestern.edu.