Community Services

Overview

Community services programs prepare people to connect individuals with health care and social services.

Community services programs prepare people to plan, manage, or implement service programs. Students learn to make referrals to services. They also learn laws and policies.

Community services programs include topics such as:

Planning and implementation of programs
Human behavior
Cultural diversity
Family systems
Counseling
Statistics and research methods

Concentrations

In community services programs, students may be able to specialize in:

Community organizing and advocacy
Community health services
Mental illnesses
Prevention of domestic violence, child abuse, or drug and alcohol addiction

Schools

Several community colleges offer associate degree programs in community services. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in community services. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Programs may be in sociology, psychology, public health, or social work departments.

Some universities offer graduate degrees in community services. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Advanced English Composition courses
Advanced U.S. History courses
Economics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Adolescent and Child Psychology
Adult Development and Aging
Community Organizations
Cultural Diversity
Family Assessment
Group Communication
Household Economics
Human Services Delivery
Juvenile Delinquency
Nutrition and Health
Parent Education
Parent-Child Relations
Social Policy and Planning
Social Welfare
Theories of Counseling

Fieldwork and internships that deal with social problems are often required. You can work for a community group, social welfare agency, probation office, nonprofit association, or private organization for a term.