Human Services - Children and Adolescents
Associate in Applied Science- Cost
- $11,176*
Treat kids today for a better tomorrow
Whether you’re just starting out or have a background in education, social work or psychology, this Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) positions you for success in working with children and adolescents in a human services setting.
This program is unique to CLC. In addition to classwork, complete a practicum in a professional setting. Gain the knowledge and skills to work with young people, including:
- using the strengths perspective
- developing a change plan
- completing a social history
- documenting casework
What can you do with an A.A.S. in Children and Adolescents?
If you already have a degree in another field, add this A.A.S. to enhance your qualifications, making yourself a more attractive candidate to human services agencies.
Former students have even entered the fields of social work or counseling with additional education; they have also been hired as caseworker aides in private agencies or paraprofessionals to do clerical work.
Start right away with your associate degree in roles such as:
- caseworker aide
- probation aide
- parole aide
- residential assistant
With additional education, you can become a:
- treatment manager
- therapist
- mental health clinician
- correctional counselor
Highlights
-
National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission
This program is commended for excellence in the preparation of the 21st-century addictions professional workforce. -
WIOA Program
Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers. -
100% Online
Can be completed 100% online. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Career Degree
Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
-
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $40,057
- Median
- $59,933
- Senior-Level
- $100,830
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $19.25
- Median
- $28.81
- Senior-Level
- $48.47
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Associate Degree
- 5.51%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 68.66%
- Master's Degree
- 25.83%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $19,980
- Median
- $28,579
- Senior-Level
- $50,760
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $9.60
- Median
- $13.74
- Senior-Level
- $24.40
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 52.82%
- Certificate
- 5.59%
- Some college
- 10.17%
- Associate Degree
- 22.71%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 8.71%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $35,754
- Median
- $47,047
- Senior-Level
- $76,630
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $17.19
- Median
- $22.61
- Senior-Level
- $36.84
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 25.65%
- Certificate
- 6.18%
- Some college
- 19.7%
- Associate Degree
- 31.95%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 16.3%
- Master's Degree
- 0.22%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $30,889
- Median
- $61,312
- Senior-Level
- $126,801
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $14.85
- Median
- $29.48
- Senior-Level
- $60.96
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 3.7%
- Certificate
- 3.7%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 18.51%
- Master's Degree
- 70.37%
- Doctorate
- 3.7%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $19,980
- Median
- $28,579
- Senior-Level
- $50,760
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $9.60
- Median
- $13.74
- Senior-Level
- $24.40
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 64%
- Certificate
- 8%
- Some college
- 16%
- Associate Degree
- 8%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 4%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $29,788
- Median
- $37,335
- Senior-Level
- $57,707
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $14.32
- Median
- $17.94
- Senior-Level
- $27.74
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 28.75%
- Certificate
- 10.34%
- Some college
- 12.17%
- Associate Degree
- 11.55%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 25.14%
- Master's Degree
- 12.04%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $32,004
- Median
- $42,127
- Senior-Level
- $63,467
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.38
- Median
- $20.25
- Senior-Level
- $30.51
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 10.41%
- Some college
- 16.21%
- Associate Degree
- 17.99%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 40.46%
- Master's Degree
- 11.16%
- Doctorate
- 3.77%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.
Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
Human Services at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This degree is just one possible way to study human services. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
-
The Associate in Applied Science in children and adolescents is 61 total credit hours and takes an average of 2 years to complete. Develop knowledge and competencies in:
- verbal and written communication skills
- adolescent development
- group dynamics
- ethical practices
- supervision
Your courses include child and adolescent development general education and Human Services core courses. They cover:
- aging and development
- hypothetical scenarios in the classroom
- extensive practicum work in an agency setting
The practicum is the best opportunity to learn typical job demands from licensed and credentialed professionals.
- verbal and written communication skills
-
You can complete your children and adolescents degree 100% online or in person. Attend class in the way that works best for your learning style.
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time by taking classes that are taught in a live virtual classroom via Zoom during scheduled times.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time by taking classes that are taught in a live virtual classroom via Zoom during scheduled times.
-
Absolutely! You want to shape your second act while shaping the future of others, which makes this program a great fit. Most students taking these courses are over 24 years old and hold a high school diploma.
*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
Explore careers
Discover majors and career paths to complement and extend your intuitive interests and abilities.
Request info
Your education is a big investment of your time, money and attention. Gather all the info you need.
Get started
Start your application today—it’s free and easy to complete. When you’re ready, we’re ready to help you take the next step.