Human Services Technology FAQs

Most students can complete the program in two years if they attend full time. Many students attend part time and complete the program at their own pace. Some students are required to take additional English or reading courses, which may extend the time necessary to complete the program. It may also be possible to complete the program in a shorter time with the hybrid (half classroom, half online) classes available.

Yes, you can earn more than one degree, but doing so will take slightly longer because the degree programs have different course requirements. A Work-Based Learning class is required for each degree, as the experience is specific to that concentration. Students interested in multiple concentrations are also encouraged to consider completing a combination of one degree program and a certificate program.

For more information on specific courses in the programs, open the Human Services overview in the college catalog.

Some students who complete the Human Services Technology program do transfer to other schools to complete bachelor's degrees. Wake Tech has agreements with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (Social Work) and the University of Mount Olive (Human Services). Fayetteville State University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Purdue University Global, Gardner-Webb University and Lees-McRae College have also accepted courses from North Carolina community college Human Services programs. Wake Tech is working on agreements with other colleges and universities to allow students to transfer credits and enter with junior status. In some cases, additional classes are required.

Incoming students who aspire to transfer to a four-year program to study psychology or social work may wish to consider the Associate in Arts transfer program. Please contact us to discuss the differences in these programs.

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an important part of a student's degree program. Because of this, we do not allow students to substitute prior work experience for WBL. In some circumstances, we will allow a student to complete WBL at their current place of employment. Please speak with the WBL faculty coordinator if this is something you wish to explore.

Students typically complete Work-Based Learning (WBL) during one of their last semesters in the program. To be eligible for WBL, students must have been in the Human Services Technology program for at least two semesters and have completed at least 12 hours of curriculum classes with a minimum program GPA of 2.5. Each program also has a set of prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to enrolling in WBL. Please reach out to the WBL faculty coordinator or your advisor for more information.

No. WBL 111 must be taken with WBL 115. WBL 111 is the course associate with your work at your Work-Based Learning site and WBL 115 is a seminar course designed to help you process your WBL experience. Students are not able to register for these courses without permission from the WBL faculty coordinator.

Listening is important in human services work. Certain courses in the Human Services Technology programs focus on the development of listening skills, including HSE 123: Interviewing Techniques, and SAB 120: Intake and Assessment.

Human services workers avoid giving advice because their commitment is to help people help themselves. The National Organization for Human Services Education states that the profession is "dedicated to interdisciplinary education and integrated services ... focused not only on remediation of problems, but on meeting basic human needs and advocating for change in the systems that affect the lives of our clients." People of all ages – and from all kinds of backgrounds – go into human services.

Sometimes people go into helping professions to resolve unfinished issues of their own. While sharing similar experiences can at times be beneficial, it is critical that professionals avoid assuming that clients have had the same experiences. Professionals must maintain appropriate boundaries with clients in order not to do harm.

The Human Services Technology program offers courses at various times and formats to help accommodate as many students as possible. Classes are offered in fully online, hybrid and in-person formats on a rotating basis. At this time, it is not possible to complete a Human Services Technology degree 100% online. 

Visit the Online Learning at Wake Tech page for more information.

Night classes are offered on a rotating and limited basis. We offer one or two night classes each semester and rotate offerings and times to accommodate as many students as possible. We also offer distance learning classes.