Behavioral Health & Human Services AAS Degree

Program Information

The Behavioral Health and Human Services Program is designed to prepare students to become direct service providers or designated coordinators in settings where vulnerable or at-risk people are housed or treated. Direct service providers also known as Behavioral Health Workers, are the caregivers in these settings, and the designated coordinators oversee the daily activities of the setting.

The program exposes students to the laws, rules, and regulations surrounding the care and treatment of vulnerable people, specifically developmentally, mentally and cognitively disabled people. Additionally, the program trains students how to best support developmentally or mentally disabled people, as well as to understand the psychological characteristics of and treatments for various developmental and cognitive disabilities.

Additionally, program coursework also helps define the roles of the behavioral health worker, direct service provider, designated coordinator and social worker as advocates and resource providers, helping vulnerable clients and residents receive care and services.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students apply skills in a meaningful way (Demonstrating higher level thinking-analysis evaluation, and synthesis).
2. Performance assessment allows for evaluation of attitudes/dispositions.
3. Student develop and create original responses to the topic.
4. Assisting individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors.
5. Conducting outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health.
6. Providing information on available resources.
7. Advocating for individuals and community health needs.
8. Collecting data to help identify community health needs.

Background Study

Minnesota Law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state.

Program Start Dates

Fall Semester: August
Spring Semester: January

Faculty Contact

Zakia Robbins-McNeal: 763-576-4182