Make a Difference with a Career in Human Services
Are you passionate about helping others and making a meaningful impact? As a human services professional, you’ll assist individuals from all walks of life—advocating for children, supporting families, caring for the elderly, and assisting with rehabilitation programs. The Human & Family Services Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes provides the education and training you need to pursue a career in social work, counseling, family services, or community outreach.
The Human & Family Services Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes provides a strong foundation through courses like Marriage and Family, Introduction to Social Work, and Human Sexuality, ensuring you develop a deep understanding of social systems, human relationships, and advocacy.
By completing the Human & Family Services Transfer Major Degree, you’ll fulfill the general education requirements necessary for transfer to one of Iowa’s Regent Universities, such as the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa, and Iowa State University where you can continue your studies toward a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field. Your transfer major will be recorded on your transcripts, demonstrating your commitment to the field and making your transition seamless.
Since transfer requirements vary, our dedicated advisors will guide you in selecting the right courses to ensure a smooth transfer process.
Explore career opportunities and salary expectations in human services through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ready to take the next step? Connect with an enrollment coach today and start your journey toward making a difference!
Find Your It!
Follow your passion for helping people at Iowa Lakes!
A Degree with Purpose
A career in human and family services means helping individuals and communities thrive. Whether you work in nonprofits, social services, healthcare, or education, Iowa Lakes provides the foundational knowledge and real-world skills needed to succeed in these meaningful careers.
Seamless Transfer to a Four-Year University
Completing your transfer major degree at Iowa Lakes ensures that you meet your intended transfer institution’s general education and major-specific requirements. Since transfer pathways may vary, our advisors will help you tailor your coursework to fit your future academic and career goals.
Program Details
Length
4 Terms
Degree
Associate in Arts (64 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Additional Information
Term 1
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
PSY 111 – Intro to Psychology†
An introduction to the scientific study of behavior; a brief history of psychology as a science, and topics fundamental to human behavior including developmental issues, sensory abilities, cognitive performance, social and emotional factors in behavior, and abnormal behavior and therapies.
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
SOC 110 – Intro to Sociology†
A survey course applying basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods to examine society, culture, cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and cultural stability and change.
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Plus Math: 3 credits
Term 2
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
MAT 156 – Statistics
This course provides a foundation of statistical concepts and procedures that can aid the student as both a consumer and producer of statistical information. The course emphasizes descriptive and inferential statistical methods, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and linear regression. Students are introduced to technology as it applies to introductory statistical methods.
Prerequisites: appropriate placement score or MAT 110, MAT 140, MAT 120, MAT 121, MAT 127 or MAT 210
MAT 157 – Statistics
This course provides a foundation of statistical concepts and procedures that can aid the student as both a consumer and producer of statistical information. The course emphasizes descriptive and inferential statistical methods, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and linear regression. Students are also introduced to software as it applies to introductory statistical methods.
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score or MAT 110, MAT 140, MAT 120, MAT 121, MAT 127 or MAT 210
PSY 121 – Developmental Psychology
Studies human development from conception through the lifespan. Physical, emotional, social, cognitive and moral aspects are studied in the classroom, by lecture, file/video, projects, and observation and by reading the literature.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose MAT 156 or MAT 157
Choose SPC 101, SPC 112 or SPC 122
Plus Elective: 9 credits
Term 3
SOC 120 – Marriage and Family†
The sociological study of the family and family-related issues in cultural, cross-cultural, historical, and social context.
SOC 160 – Introduction to Social Work
This introductory course in social welfare systems and social work practice surveys the historical development of the social work profession in conjunction with the development of social welfare services in the United States; social welfare system responses to a variety of current social problems; generalist social work as a distinct profession; and specific settings and methods of social work practice.
WBL 203 – Practicum/Field Experience: Human Services
This course is offered under the guidance of an instructor and employer mentor/supervisor. This course provides students an opportunity to learn in a work setting while obtaining practical experience in Human Services careers. Students will participate in job training, and will complete assignments to develop workplace communication skills, gain an understanding of industry and organizational structures, and learn problem-solving skills in a work environment.
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Plus Science: 4 credits
Plus Elective: 6 credits
Term 4
PSY 261 – Human Sexuality
Human Sexuality focuses on normal sexual development, human sexual responses, and common sexual problems. It provides factual information on human sexuality and raises practical questions about human sexual behavior. It also helps students examine and evaluate their views and values concerning sexual behavior.
Prerequisites: PSY 111 – Intro to Psychology, SOC 110 – Intro to Sociology, or SOC 120 – Marriage and Family or instructor permission.
WBL 203 – Practicum/Field Experience: Human Services
This course is offered under the guidance of an instructor and employer mentor/supervisor. This course provides students an opportunity to learn in a work setting while obtaining practical experience in Human Services careers. Students will participate in job training, and will complete assignments to develop workplace communication skills, gain an understanding of industry and organizational structures, and learn problem-solving skills in a work environment.
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Plus Science: 3 credits
Plus Elective: 6 credits
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
By obtaining an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
Communications:
- Students are able to communicate clearly, both written and oral using the correct medium.
- Students are able to support ideas with appropriate and adequate information.
Sciences:
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
- Apply scientific inquiry/scientific method to answer questions about the natural world.
Mathematics:
- Apply mathematical methods to solve real world problems.
- Evaluate the validity of mathematical solutions.
Social Sciences:
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in written and oral communication.
- Students will critique the diversity of human experience, individually and collectively.
Humanities:
- Respond critically using established aesthetic principles or criteria, or an ethical judgement of specific examples as it relates to the discipline.
- Express the principles of the discipline within the global community by using the language, syntax, and cultural context of the discipline appropriately.
Computers:
- Integrate the technology necessary in the workplace environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge in utilizing software application tools.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Associate in Arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Transfer data to Iowa Regent Universities
First Year University GPA
Note: This is the average of transfer with associates and transfer, no associates
2.94
Average Retention One Year After Transferring to a Regent University
86%
Average University Graduation Rates Three Years After Entry to a Regent University
58%
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Tiffany A. Nolta Academic Advisor 712-362-6833 | tnolta@iowalakes.edu |