Health & Human Services Careers - Human Services

How do I apply to the program?

The application to the Human Services Program is available in the Advising Guide found on this website or from the department office located in Room 108 of the Health and Human Services Building. Please return the application to this office or mail to: Human Services Program, 3100-HHS, Lansing Community College, P.O. Box 40010, Lansing, MI 48901-7210. Applying to the program assists in your academic planning and advising process. The application to practicum is a different application and process.

What courses do I need to take?

Specific course requirements are listed on the curricular guide (click on Curriculum at right):

Associate Degree in Human Services:
Curricular Guide #0915

Certificate of Achievement in Human Services:
Curricular Guide #1201

Certificate of Completion in Human Services:
Curricular Guide #1199

Certificate of Completion in Aging Studies:
Curricular Guide #1200

In what order should I take courses?

Human Services coursework is not offered in summer semester.  Students are encouraged to take the general education courses during summer. 

Students should meet with the program advisor to plan their program in advance. The Certificate of Achievement and Associate Degree are two-year programs because of the consecutive two-semester practicum.  Full-time and part-time schedules are included in the Advising Packet.

NOTE: All students MUST take HUSE 105 their first fall or spring semester.  This allows entrance into the practicum in the
second fall semester.  

• GERO 100-take during the first fall or spring semester; it is a prerequisite to GERO 203 and HUSE 282 Practicum I. 

• GERO 203 (Aging Studies only) is offered every other year, take the first spring semester; it is a prerequisite to HUSE 282 Practicum I.  

• HUSE 100-take during the first fall or spring semester; it is a prerequisite to HUSE 282 Practicum l.

• HUSE 105-take during the first fall or spring semester; it is a prerequisite to HUSE 282 Practicum I. 

• HUSE 112-(Addiction Practicum only) take the first semester in the program; it is a prerequisite to HUSE 282 Practicum I. 

• HUSE 242-take the first fall or spring semester; it is a prerequisite to HUSE 282 Practicum I. 

• HUSE 282 and 284 (Practicum Courses) with prerequisites completed and departmental approval. 

• WRIT 121 should also be taken early in the program, see assessment tests for further information. 

What is a prerequisite?

Prerequisites are courses or competencies you must have before being permitted to enroll in a course. Deleted Check the prerequisites listed in the College Catalog before registering. You will not be permitted to register for a course if you do not have the prerequisite, or an override. Overrides are granted if you have transferred a prerequisite course or have received permission to waive the prerequisite by the program advisor.

What is the practicum?

The practicum is a supervised field placement for a structured hands-on learning experience. Students directly apply and develop skills in an actual work setting under the supervision of a human services professional. Students spend 10 hours per week in a human services agency in their area of specialization. Practicum begins in the fall semester only, and is completed through the following spring semester. The Human Services Program Advisor will help you select agencies to explore and interview for placement. A scheduled practicum class accompanies the practicum experience.

What are the practicum requirements?

NOTE:  Any student with a felony and/or misdemeanor conviction is required to meet with a practicum coordinator, before entering into this program.  A criminal background check is required before acceptance into practicum. The Human Services Certificates of Achievement and Associate Degree have a practicum requirement.  Human service agencies comply with the Public Health Code Act 368, amended by Act 303, September 03, 2002.  Therefore, practicum students are subject to criminal background checks and policies by these agencies and the LCC Public Safety Department.  Practicum students must adhere to the agencies policies and procedures.

Students are required to adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by the agency and may include an additional criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug/alcohol screening.    All costs related to these additional requirements are the responsibility of the student.

1.       Practicum starts every fall Semester and continues through the following spring semester.

2.       Department approval is required for entry into the practicum.

3.       A minimum  overall GPA of 2.0 is required, and a 2.5 in  all required GERO, HUSE, SOWK courses.

4.       Completion of HUSE 100, HUSE 105, and HUSE 242 is mandatory prior to practicum for all students.

5.       Completion of HUSE 112 and HUSE 242 is mandatory prior to practicum for those students desiring practicum placement in an addiction agency.

6.       Completion of HUSE 110 is mandatory prior to practicum for those students desiring practicum placement working with families and children.

7.    Completion of GERO 100, GERO 203, and Gerontology seminars is mandatory prior to practicum for those students desiring practicum placement working with older adults.

8.    All students are required to demonstrate in writing volunteer work, and/or life experience and how that experience has prepared them for the Human Services Program and work in the human services field.

9.    All students are required to submit in writing the type of agency and/or population they desire for their practicum experience.

How do I apply for the practicum?

There is an application process for acceptance into the practicum.  This is a different application than the Program Application.  The application packet is available in January from
the Health and Human Services Department Office, Health and Human Services Building, Room 108. Return all completed application materials to this same office by March 1^st.

When should I see an advisor?

Students are encouraged to see a Program Advisor early in the program and every semester to plan a class/program schedule and to plan for practicum placement.

Program Advisors

How do I apply for my degree?

The semester before you finish all of your requirements for your Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement, complete a request for graduation at the Registrar's Office. The college will check to make sure you have met all of the requirements and will contact you if there are any problems.

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