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Social Work
Career
Patience, understanding and a strong desire to help others are valued characteristics of people working in the human services field. Human services workers usually work under the direction of professionals from a variety of fields such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitative or physical therapy or social work. They provide direct and indirect client services. They assess clients’ needs and help them obtain services for a variety of populations in need. Populations include, but are not limited to, persons with physical disabilities, emotional and behavioral problems, mental retardation, learning disabilities, substance abuse problems, legal concerns, and mental illness. They may also organize and lead group activities, assist clients in need of counseling or crisis intervention. They may work with adolescents with substance abuse and/or behavioral problems.
Job outlook
This field is among the most rapidly growing occupations. Employers are developing new ways to deliver and fund services and increasingly are relying on social and human service workers to take on the responsibility in delivering services to clients. The growing elderly population, the increase in job-training programs and the need to replace workers who advance into new positions are contributing to this growing trend.
What/Where the jobs are
Nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation, social work, human services, agencies, corrections, health services, military, residential services, individual and family services, substance abuse treatment, case management, community outreach, life skills coaching, state agencies, and schools.
Degrees awarded
Associate in Arts (AA)
Degree requirements
Click here for social work curriculum information
Program contact
Mac McDonald, Mac.McDonald@iavalley.edu
Admissions contact
Annie.Kalous, Annie.Kalous@iavalley.edu