Human Services Associate Degree

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Human Services Associate

Program Number: 105203

Your Degree: Associate Degree

Estimated Time to Complete: 63 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years

Delivery Method: 100% In Person, Some Online/Some In Person

Area of Study: Law, Protective and Human Services

Estimated Program Cost: $10,820.04

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Program Overview
Get the skills needed to provide information, support, care and advocacy in a human service agency. Madison College's Human Services associate program will train you to work with individuals, groups and communities. You will learn to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
General education courses included in the program teach you to better understand social problems. During the second year of the program, you will start a fieldwork placement in a human service agency. Travel to fieldwork sites is necessary and is your responsibility.
A Caregiver Background Check is required for fieldwork placements. Information obtained from the Criminal History Check may affect your ability to secure a fieldwork placement and your ability to find employment after graduation. Some of the aptitudes and interests that are essential for human service students include emotional stability and maturity, an interest in working with people, and an appreciation of cultural competence and diversity.
Human Services Associate Program Details
Students in the Human Services Associate program can attend full or part time.
Human Services Associate classes are offered at the Madison College Goodman South campus.
Accreditation
The Human Services Associate program is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services as a training program for substance abuse counselors. The program is also accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education preparing students for the Human Services – Board Certified Professional Credential.
Careers in Human Services
Associate degree graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of human services including:
Case Manager
Community Support Worker
Substance Abuse Counselor in Training
Income Maintenance Worker
Information and Referral Specialist
Intake Worker
Outreach Worker
Prevention Worker
Resident Manager
Volunteer Coordinator
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as a Substance Abuse Counselor or Social Worker.
Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
First Semester
10-520-105
Introduction to Human Services
3 credits
10-520-106
Orientation to Human Services Populations
3 credits
10-520-117
Interviewing
3 credits
10-520-135
Issues in Addiction
3 credits
10-801-195
Written Communication
3 credits
10-809-199
Psychology Of Human Relations
3 credits
Second Semester
10-520-116
Group Work Skills
3 credits
10-520-130
Social Change Skills
3 credits
10-520-141
Introduction to Community Mental Health
3 credits
10-520-142
Psychopharmacology
3 credits
10-520-136
Counseling Addiction
3 credits
Third Semester
10-520-157
Human Services Counseling Skills
3 credits
10-520-188
Human Services Experience Conference 1
3 credits
10-520-190
Human Services Agency Internship 1
3 credits
10-801-196
Oral/Interpersonal Communication
3 credits
10-804-134
Mathematical Reasoning
3 credits
10-809-172
Introduction to Diversity Studies
3 credits
Fourth Semester
10-520-120
Community Service Agencies
3 credits
10-520-191
Human Services Agency Internship 2
3 credits
10-520-189
Human Services Experience Conference 2
3 credits
10-809-197
Contemporary American Society
3 credits
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!
This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
Review the Waiting List section
Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements
Estimated Wait Time: To be determined
Program Capacity: 50 spots each Fall semester. It shares this capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application.
Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals!
Application Dates
Fall 2025
Application open
Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
Application open
Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Fall 2026
Application available on September 15, 2025
Application deadline is August 31, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
GED/HSED completion
College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Human Services Associate career.
It's Free to Apply
Waiting List
Beginning Fall 2026
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.
Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which pre-program requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
Reading and Writing (testing, college coursework)
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Transfer Opportunities

UW System Schools
UW Oshkosh
The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
UW Oshkosh
The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
UW Whitewater
This program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-Whitewater and Madison College allows students to be awarded up to 64 credits toward the Social Work major and Human and Social Services minor after successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Human Services at Madison College and declaring the Social Work major and Human and Social Services minor at time of admission/upon transfer to UW-W. Students that transfer under this agreement with a minimum of 60 credits will be considered to have Junior standing at UW-W.
Wisconsin Private Schools
Alverno College
Madison College female identifying students earning a Human Services Associate Degree with embedded Addiction Studies Technical Diploma will be able to apply their credits towards a BSW at Alverno.
Concordia University
Qualified students who meet the admission criteria of Concordia University Inc. and are admitted under the Advanced Transfer Core are guaranteed transferability of academic courses of up to 84 credits of D or above earned at a Wisconsin Technical College System institution. Qualified students are those who have completed the Associate Degrees, Associate of Arts (AA) or Sciences (AS), Associate Degree of Applied Arts (AAA) or Applied Sciences (AAS)
Edgewood College
Students who receive a Human Services Associate Degree from Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing Degree. Students will major in Sociology with a Human Service Concentration at Edgewood College.
Lakeland University
Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2018, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.
Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University will recognize an earned AA, AS, and AAS degree and guarantee those students junior standing. Outlines main transfer equivalancies.
Out-of-State Schools
Bellevue University
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
Capella University
Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.
Colorado State University Global Campus
Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
Franklin University
Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree.

Career Outcomes

After completing the Human Services program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

Develop and maintain supportive, strength-based helping relationships that foster growth and problem solving in those being helped.
Apply skills to the development of care and treatment plans and interventions.
Demonstrate advocacy and professional and ethical standards.
Provide services in a culturally competent manner.
Develop respectful relationships with staff, clients, families and communities.
Demonstrate effective oral communication with staff, clients and families.
Communicate clearly in written reports.
Write a grant to fulfill identified specific community needs.
Demonstrate assessment and treatment knowledge and skills and strategies for people with substance abuse and mental health problems.

Graduate Summary

Graduate Report Summary Overview
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of Program Graduates	19	18	23
Number of Surveys Sent	19	18	23
Number of Surveys Returned	10	10	6
Percent of Surveys Returned
Available for Employment	9	5	6
Percent Available for Employment	90.0%	50.0%	100.0%
Not in Labor Market
Percent Not in Labor Market	10.0%	50.0%	0.0%

Available for Employment
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Graduates Employed	8	5	6
Percent of Graduates Employed	88.9%	100.0%	100.0%
Employed in Related Occupation	7	5	2
Percent Employed in Related Occupation	87.5%	100.0%	33.3%
Employed in Unrelated Occupation	1	0	4
Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation	12.5%	0.0%	66.7%
Employed - No Response	0	0	0
Percent Employed - No Response	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Seeking Employment	1	0	0
Percent Seeking Employment	11.1%	0.0%	0.0%

Reaction To Training at Madison College
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)	3.6	3.8	2.7
Number of Satisfaction Responses	10	10	6
Very Satisfied (4)	6	8	1
Percent Very Satisfied	60.0%	80.0%	16.7%
Satisfied (3)	4	2	3
Percent Satisfied	40.0%	20.0%	50.0%
Unsatisfied (2)	0	0	1
Percent Unsatisfied	0.0%	0.0%	16.7%
Very Unsatisfied (1)
Percent Very Unsatisfied	0.0%	0.0%	16.7%

Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of Primary Reason Responses	10	10	6
Preparation for Getting a Job
Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
Career Change
Percent Career Change
Improvement of Existing Skills
Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
Preparation for Further Education
Percent Preparation for Further Education
Personal Interest
Percent Personal Interest
Other
Percent Other	10.0%	0.0%	0.0%

When Employment was Obtained
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of When Employment Obtained Responses	8	5	6
Before Enrollment	2	1	3
Percent Before Enrollment	25.0%	20.0%	50.0%
While Attending the College	3	2	0
Percent While Attending the College	37.5%	40.0%	0.0%
After Training at the College	3	2	3
Percent After Training at the College	37.5%	40.0%	50.0%

Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of Employment Location Responses	8	5	6
In College District	8	4	5
Percent In College District	100.0%	80.0%	83.3%
In Wisconsin, Not in District	0	0	0
Percent of In Wisconsin	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Outside of Wisconsin	0	1	0
Percent Outside Wisconsin	0.0%	20.0%	0.0%
Employer Location Unknown	0	0	1
Percent Location Unknown	0.0%	0.0%	16.7%

Salary Trend
Salary Trend		2022	2023	2024
Full Time Employment (Related Job)	Full Time Salary Count	6	3	2
	Average Monthly Wage	$3,421	$3,762	$3,827
	Average Hourly Wage	$19.89	$21.87	$22.25
	Average Work Hours per Week	41.7	41.7	40.0
Part Time Employment (Related Job)	Part Time Salary Count	1	1
	Average Hourly Wage	$18.00	$19.00
	Average Work Hours per Week	14.0	30.0

Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions
Girl Scouts of Badgerland Community Engagement Specialist
Tellurian UCAN Certified Peer Specialist Supervisor Monona
* - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
Employer(s)	Job Title	City*	State**	Positions
Girl Scouts of Badgerland	Community Engagement Specialist
Tellurian UCAN	Certified Peer Specialist Supervisor	Monona

Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!

Contact the School of Human and Protective Services

Madison Truax Campus
Protective Services Building, 100

1701 Pearson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

hps@madisoncollege.edu
608.243.5400

Hours

Monday – Thursday 8 am - 5 pm
Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm

Program Overview

Human Services Associate Program Details

Accreditation

Careers in Human Services

Curriculum and Experience

Admission

Apply Now – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!

Application Dates

Fall 2025

Spring 2026

Fall 2026

Admission Requirements

1. Admission Application

2. Education Completion

Additional Notes

Questions?

Waiting List

Transfer Opportunities

Career Outcomes

Related Program