Community College Programs for the Human Services

Abstract

A national survey of 2-year human services programs in community colleges revealed the current status of these programs and identified significant trends in areas such as program number, curriculum design, standard-setting mechanisms, student composition and career paths, and faculty affiliation. Of particular interest was the relationship of these programs and their graduates to social work education and the social services job market. Among the principal findings were (a) these programs are in a period of renewed growth and (b) a need and an opportunity exist for the social work profession, particularly social work education, to be constructively involved in this level of education.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ruben Schindler

The authors are indebted to Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, and The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, for providing research grants in support of the study. We also thank M. June Ruhlen and Joyce McPherson for assistance in data collection and tabulation.