Students will take courses from a variety of disciplines. Emphasis in core courses is placed on development of relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes in supporting those with mental illness and intellectual deficits. Fieldwork experience will provide opportunities for application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Graduates should qualify for positions in mental health, social services, rehabilitation, and educational agencies that provide services and support to individuals with behavioral and intellectual disabilities within a community or institutional setting.
This degree will prepare current licensed providers and students who wish to become licensed providers with essential knowledge to support people with all types of disabilities under the new waiver program. Students with this degree will be prepared to meet the training requirements to support people with disabilities in most levels of the new waiver redesign. Courses delivers to providers needed knowledge to supervise support workers in their program. These disabilities studied include individuals diagnosed with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, and Dually Diagnosed individuals with co-morbid disabilities. Also, a course in positive behavior support techniques is part of this program. Course emphasis is not only on disabilities, but also on documentation, writing and communication skills, which are necessary to become a licensed provider in VA.
In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the General Studies, Community and Provider Specialization program requires competency in English and Math – MDE 10 as demonstrated through direct enrollment and diagnostic tests, or by satisfactorily completing the required EDE and/or MDE units or the equivalent.
Internship Requirements: Admission to HMS 290 (Coordinated Internship) is selective and must be approved by the internship coordinator. Eligibility is based on the following criteria: minimum GPA of 2.0, completion of course prerequisites (MEN 101, MEN 110, MEN 121) faculty recommendation, expected graduation date, and any relevant internship site requirements. Arrangements for the internship placement are made the semester prior to the one in which the student actually takes the class.
The following list is a suggested sequence in which students may plan their class schedules to ensure graduation in two years.
First Semester
| Course # | Course Title | Lect. Hrs. | Lab Hrs. | Credits | Transfer |
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| BIO 101 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
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| ENG 111 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| MEN 101 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PSY 200 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| SDV 100 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
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| Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester | 13 | 3 | 14 | ||
Second Semester
| Course # | Course Title | Lect. Hrs. | Lab Hrs. | Credits | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 102 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
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| ENG 112 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| MTH 155 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| MEN 122 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| SOC 200 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester | 15 | 3 | 16 | ||
Third Semester
| Course # | Course Title | Lect. Hrs. | Lab Hrs. | Credits | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CST 100 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| MEN 195 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| ITE 152 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| SOC 215 | 3 | ||||
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| PSY 215 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| ELE 1 | Health or Physical Education Elective | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester | 13 | 0 | 16 | ||
Fourth Semester
| Course # | Course Title | Lect. Hrs. | Lab Hrs. | Credits | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS 150 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| HMS 190 or HMS 290 | Coordinated Internship or Coordinated Internship in Human Services | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
| HUM 201 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| ELE | PHI 101 or REL 200 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| PSY 230 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
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| Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester | 12 | 9 | 15 | ||