There are 3 options for ACM students if you are interested in a helping career. But the Human Service Program is the only option that gives you the skills and experience to get a job immediately after graduation AND transfer to a four year school. The other options, Psychology Transfer and Social Work Transfer, are intended for those planning to go directly on to a four year school for a bachelor’s degree.
| Human Service Associate program | Social Work Transfer program | Psychology Transfer program | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Description | Two‐year skill‐based preparation for public-and private‐sector jobs in human service areas. Enables student to enter workforce after graduation and also to transfer as a junior into FSU Social Work Program. | First two years of general education courses needed for a typical four‐year program in social work. Last two years are taken at other academic institution. | First two years of general education courses needed for a typical four‐year program in psychology. Last two years are taken at other academic institution. |
| Degree | Associate of applied science degree in human services. | Associate of science degree in arts and sciences with social work transfer pattern. | Associate of science degree in arts and sciences with psychology transfer pattern. |
| Years to completion | Four to six semesters. | Four to five semesters before transferring. | Four to five semesters before transferring. |
| Admissions | Selective admissions process. | Open enrollment. | Open enrollment. |
| Learning Approach | Student learns with interaction and support from other students and faculty | Student individually responsible for learning. | Student individually responsible for learning. |
| In-class content | Classes and labs build skills and experience or student to seamlessly transition into human service jobs right after graduation. | General education and theory‐based classes provide basis for student to transfer into four‐year school. | General education and theory‐based classes provide basis for student to transfer into four‐year school. |
| Lab/fieldwork/internship training | Three 15‐week internships with over 460 hours of supervised clinical training. | No labs or fieldwork during time at ACM; this is completed at transfer institution. | No labs or fieldwork during time at ACM; this is completed at transfer institution. |
| Articulation | Frostburg; others in process. | Frostburg, Shippensburg, Cal U of PA | Frostburg |
| Certifications possible | Eligible to sit for Associate level Maryland State Addictions Certification exams.
Eligible to sit for Human Services-‐ Board Certified Practitioner Exam (HS‐BCPE). |
Eligible to sit for Bachelors level MD State Addictions certification exam and licensing
exam in social work after completion of Bachelors Degree at a 4year college. Addt’l courses are needed to meet exam requirements. |
Eligible to sit for Bachelors level MD State Addictions certification exam after completion of Bachelors Degree at a 4‐year college. Addt’l courses are needed to meet exam requirements. |
| Health Manpower Shortage Program | Yes | No | No |
| Job options with degree | Community mental health centers, child/youth programs, older adult services, substance abuse treatment centers, and programs for persons with disabilities, etc. |
Associate degree does not prepare the student with skills to work; employment comes after completing Bachelors degree at 4-‐year college. | Associate degree does not prepare the student with skills to work; employment comes after completing Bachelors degree at 4-‐year college. |
| Salary range | Entry level with AAS -‐ $18,000 -‐ $35,000 | N/A | N/A |
