Allegany College of Maryland has assembled the following information about student
outcomes for graduates of the Human Service Associate Degree Program. We are pleased
to provide this information in response to the
2010 CHEA Recognition Policy and Procedure.
Allegany College of Maryland's Human Service Program has been fully accredited
by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education since 1982.
Highlights: Program Outcomes 2023
- The Human Service faculty are experienced professionals in the Human Service and Social
Work Profession.
- This Program provides an excellent Faculty to Student ratio of 1:13.
- The average number of matriculating students over the past six years is 14 and the
average number of graduating students is 13 students.
- Thirteen employers (sized from 2 to 2200 employees) responded to a Survey Monkey survey.
- Twenty-six areas of preparation for entry level employment were included in the survey;
employers gave high ratings to Human Service graduates with particularly high ratings
for work ethic, helping skills, professionalism, client advocacy, self-awareness,
team work, and verbal communication.
- 100% of recent graduates were "Extremely Satisfied" with preparation for employment
in the Human Service field.
- 94% of recent graduates reported their classroom instruction in Human Services was
“Excellent”.
- Human Service Program alumni with advanced degrees were overwhelmingly positive with
100% stating their preparation for work and transfer as "Excellent".
Student Profile Chart:
| |
2019FA |
2020FA |
2021FA |
2022FA |
2023FA |
Average |
| Entering Cohort |
15 |
14 |
15 |
18 |
10 |
14.4 |
| Retention, Fall to Spring |
87% |
79% |
93% |
83% |
N/A |
85% |
| Retention, Fall to Fall |
100% |
79% |
100% |
100% |
N/A |
95%
|
| |
2018-2019 |
2019-2020 |
2020-2021 |
2021-22 |
2022-2023 |
|
| Graduates |
11 |
8 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
10.2 |
| Graduate GPA |
3.2 |
3.35 |
3.37 |
3.36 |
3.49 |
3.31 |
| State |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MD |
12 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
9 |
11.4 |
| PA |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1.6 |
| WV |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1.4 |
| Demographics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| % Minority |
27% |
21% |
13% |
17% |
20% |
20% |
| % Male |
13% |
7% |
0% |
6% |
20% |
9% |
| Part-Time |
33% |
47% |
20% |
11% |
30% |
28% |
| Full-Time |
67% |
53% |
80% |
89% |
70% |
72% |
| Age |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 30+ |
33% |
57% |
13% |
22% |
20% |
29% |
| 20+ |
53% |
21% |
53% |
33% |
40% |
40% |
| <20 |
13% |
21% |
33% |
44% |
40% |
31% |
| |
2014-2019 |
| Average Class Size of Accepted Students |
13.4 |
| Graduation Rate |
89% |
| % of Male Students |
8.7% |
| Minority |
12.0% |
| % of Students from MD |
68.7% |
| % of Students from PA |
25.4% |
| % of Students from WV |
12% |
Program Learning Outcomes for Human Service Associate Degree
- Clinical Practice and Professionalism: successfully complete 3 field placements with over 460 hours of supervised clinical
experience and meet all competencies required for graduation on the Professionalism
Assessment Scale.
- Written and Oral Communication Skills: read, write, speak, and listen effectively
- Professionalism/Work Ethic: act ethically, interpersonally, and professionally so as to reflect respect for
self, clients, colleagues, the profession, the worksite, and the community.
- Core Helping Skills: apply the core helping skills (listening, assessment, counseling and interviewing,
group work, advocacy, CBT, solution focused therapy, leadership, team work, case management,
and community work) to client, agency, and class room projects and problems.
- Self-Awareness: utilize behaviors and attitudes that demonstrate self-knowledge of one’s values,
strengths, growing edges, and cultural biases in the professional use of self and
in the development of an effective career development and lifelong learning plan.
- Workforce Wellness: demonstrate and utilize mind/body skills for self-care and renewal and communicate
healthy coping techniques for clients and co-workers.
- Social Action & Civic Engagement: utilize leadership skills to collaboratively address and resolve political, social,
and community problems and promote social justice and a sense of community across
differences.
Student Profile
- New Students Entering/Year
The average number of students entering the Clinical Phase for the last six years
has been 13.4
- State of Residence
68.7% of Human Service students are from MD, 25.4% from PA, and 11.2% from WV.
- Diversity
12% of the students have minority status .
- Gender
The percentage of males enrolled in Human Service was 8.7%, an increase at 2.7% from
2013.
- Enrollment Status
15% of students are part-time and 85% are full-time.
- Age
The number of older students (30+) enrolling in the clinical phase of the Program
shows a steady increase with 50.9% of the students over 30, 24.6% over 20, and 24.5%
under 20.
- Retention
89% of students complete Program and receive an A.A. degree in Human Service.
Faculty Credentials, Experience, & Areas of Specialization
There are two full-time faculty:
- Annette Clark
AA in Human Services (2000) Allegany College of Maryland
Bachelors Degree in Psychology (2002) Frostburg State University
Masters Degree in Human Service (2006), Cappella University
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
16 years experience in addictions counseling and human services
Faculty/Student Ratio
Matriculation/Graduation Rates
- The average number of matriculating students over the past 6 years is 13.4 and the
average number of graduating students is 12.8 students. Only 2 students in this timeframe
withdrew for academic reasons; the remaining students withdrew for health or personal
reasons or moved out of the area. The overall graduation rate for the past six years
is 89%.
Employment/Salary Level Statistics of Graduates
Top Areas of Employment:
- Addictions: 55.6%
- Community Services: 38.89%
- Children/Youth: 33.33%
- Community/Psych Rehab: 27.78%
- Health Care: 22.22%
- Public Schools: 16.67%
- Older Adults: 11.11`%
- Intellectual Disabilities: 11.11%
Salary levels (Recent Graduate Survey 2013-2019):
- 0% making between $18,000-$25,000
- 33.33% making $25,000-$30,000
- 44.44% making -$30,000 $35,000
Employer Survey (June 2019)
- All employers indicated that a degree from ACM in Human Services is a positive for
an interviewer with 70% reporting it as “a big plus” and “30% as “a plus but not essential”.
- In 8 out of 26 skill areas, employers ranked graduates in the top 90% as either “Very Good” or “Good” and for an additional 11 areas, employers ranked graduates in the top 80% as either
“Very Good” or “Good” as compared to other entry level workers. Three of the remaining skill areas were
ranked in the top 70% as either “Very Good” or “Good”.
- Skill areas identified where graduates were the best prepared were self-awareness,
helping skills, team work, work ethic, client advocacy, verbal communication, resources,
and professionalism.
- Most employers report employment levels remaining constant over the next two years
and the demand for associate degree workers as stable.
Sample comments from the employers:
- “The Human Service program is truly a valuable program, and produces well-trained
graduates.”
- “We greatly value our relationship with Allegany College.”
Graduate Follow-Up Survey (June 2019)
- 100% rated Preparation for Employment as "Extremely Satisfied”.
- 100% rated Training in Professionalism as "Extremely Satisfied”.
- 94% rated Classroom Instruction as "Excellent” and one other person rated instruction as "Good”.
- 87.50% rated Preparation for Transfer as "Extremely Satisfied” and the remaining rated it "Satisfied”.
- 93.75% rated Advising as "Extremely Satisfied” and the remaining graduates rated it as "Satisfied”.
- 65% have completed an advanced degree, predominantly at FSU.
- 79% are working in the field with 63% full-time and 16% part-time.
Sample comments from the survey:
- “Learning how to work with different populations through the internships offered in
the Human Service Program was a huge plus.”
- “Internships were one of the most valuable aspects for me. Learning in the classroom
and being able to apply it directly in the field prepared me more for employment.”
- “The program made you come out of your comfort zone and do things you generally would
not feel comfortable with. This helped you learn ways to face things instead of avoiding
them.”
- “During my time at AC I learned a lot. Between the classroom setting and the amount
of field experience I received I felt more prepared than most when entering higher
education and into my employment opportunity. The closeness of the program, the field
experiences, made the program truly one of the best things I could have done.”
- “I learned more in the Human Service program then in my Behavioral Science Bachelor
degree. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the Human Service program. I
cannot say enough about it!”
Alumni with Advanced Degrees Survey (June 2019)
- 38% reported incomes of $50,000 and above and 21% reported incomes between $41,000
and $50,000.
- All students (100%) with advanced degrees reported their Human Service Education as
“Excellent.”
- Strengths of the Program were the development of community, communication skills,
working with others, and preparation for transfer.
- A majority of students transferred to FSU.
- Social work was the primary degree completed.
- 100% of the respondents reported they were “Very Prepared” in the area of Personal Development (self-awareness, value clarification, self-confidence,
etc.)
Sample comments from the survey:
- “I continually praise the program for the depth of training I received as well as
the personal development and support. I would not be the clinician I am today had
it not been for this program and its advisors. I will always be grateful for the
experience and the education I received!”
- “The Human Service Program was one of the best things I have ever done. I give great
appreciation to my program instructors. Their support, instruction, and encouragement
helped me to get where I am and to reach my goals.”
- “After doing three internships at ACM, advanced degree programs were easy. You know
going in what you’re in for as it relates to field work; you feel very prepared.
More clinical work is included in higher level education, but the basics are already
there from all all the role plays you do at ACM.”
- “The Human Service program changed my life. I wouldn’t have found my career without
this program.”
- “When I started in the Human Service program, I was very unsure of myself, and never
would have dreamed that it was the beginning of a journey that would lead to a doctoral
degree! Without the skills and confidence, I gained in this program, there is no
way I would be where I am today.”
- “Out of all of my schooling, the Human Service Program was by far the best educational
program I completed. I continue to encourage anyone who is considering a career in
the helping field to enter into the program.”
- “I feel I was better prepared than the other students in my cohort who graduated from
a different college.”
- “I was beyond prepared entering into my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work because of
this program. It truly changed my life, my perspectives and helped me to find my
passion in life. I now have my Master’s degree in Social Work and I truly have to
give the most credit to the Human Service program and its staff, truly amazing.”
- “I was far more prepared for my bachelor’s program in social work than other peers
who did not complete the program. It also prepared me for my Master’s program; I
had been taught a great deal of information in the Human Services program that was
just being introduced in the Masters program.”
Role of the Program Advisory Committee in Program Assessment
- Summaries of available evaluation surveys are distributed at advisory committee meetings
and the Human Service Program Director leads a follow-up discussion.
- PAC members are actively involved in reviewing curriculum changes and participate
in small Task Groups which oversee this process.
- Every ten years a DACUM process or a SWOT analysis is conducted to review curriculum
content as related to workforce needs.
Advanced Degree Transfer
The Human Service Associate Degree provides skills to work immediately upon graduation.
It is also the steppingstone to the next step on the career ladder for many of our
graduates:
- Within five years, an average of 65% of graduates go on for an advanced degree.
- A majority of students transfer to Frostburg State University with others attending
such schools as St. Francis University, Geneva College, and Salisbury University.
- The majority of students who transfer are enrolled in a Bachelors in Social Work with
many continuing on to receive a Masters in Social Work.
- Other advanced degrees include psychology, counseling, behavioral and social sciences,
therapeutic activities, health and wellness, vocational rehabilitation areas of study,
and human services.
Comments from graduates on a 2019 Graduate follow-up survey:
- “I was beyond prepared entering into my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work because of
this program. It truly changed my life, my perspectives and helped me to find my
passion in life. I now have my Master’s degree in Social Work and I truly have to
give the most credit to the Human Service program and its staff, truly amazing.”
- “I was far more prepared for my bachelor’s program in social work than other peers
who did not complete the program. It also prepared me for my Master’s program; I
had been taught a great deal of information in the Human Services program that was
just being introduced in the Masters program.”
- “I feel I was better prepared than the other students in my cohort who graduated from
a different college."
Transfer Options
- Frostburg State University, Bachelors in Social Work or Psychology
- St. Francis University 3 + 1 program, Bachelors in Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Salisbury University, Bachelors in Social Work
- West Virginia University, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Geneva College, Human Services & Human Resources
- Other options depending on career interests are available
