Human Services & Restorative Justice

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

About this program

You want a career that really matters, one that enriches the lives of others and strengthens your community. When you work in the growing field of human services and restorative justice, you’ll have a chance to make that happen. Study theories and methods then apply them through extensive hands-on experiences. From direct care to the administrative side of human services, the options are diverse and far-reaching. Select courses that focus on specific areas of interest such as mental health, criminal justice, or administrative positions. For those who want to keep the momentum going, this program can seamlessly transfer into the bachelor's program.

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Ethical Standards, Background Checks and Clearances

The Human Services and Restorative Justice program abides by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) ethical standards, which can be found here. Additionally, field experiences and internship sites may require background checks and clearances. Learn more.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

30

Hours of Field Exposure

100%

Overall Placement

Seamless Associate-to-Bachelor Degree Pathway

Careers

  • Entry-level positions in youth & aging programs
  • Drug & alcohol counseling programs
  • Child care development agencies
  • Correctional facilities
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Human Services & Restorative Justice (HSJ115)
  • General Psychology (PSY111)
  • Introduction to Sociology (SOC111)
  • Introduction to Interviewing Skills & Intake Processes (HSJ120)
  • Diversity & Inclusive Human Service Practice (HSJ210)
  • Human Services & Restorative Justice Application Elective (HSJ)
  • Assessment, Case Management & Crisis Intervention (HSJ223)
  • Criminal Justice (HSJ263)
  • Developmental Psychology (PSY203)
  • Counseling Theories & Techniques (HSJ225)
  • Internship I (HSJ255)
  • Serving & Surviving in Human Services (HSJ275)
  • Families in Crisis (HSJ261)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Science Elective (SCI)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Mathematics Elective (MTH)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
View Goals & Course List
Maker Profiles
Featured Video

Leadership challenge course 

The challenge course is designed to enhance problem-solving, leadership, teamwork and communication skills for students. 

Immersive Learning

Selfcare is vital to the success of human services professionals. As part of a class activity, student Natalie Schrader, led a guided meditation with a focus and peacefulness and mindfulness. Students participating in the activity shared their take on being a Human Services & Restorative Justice major.

Helping Others

“We need to really make time for ourselves. All of us want to help other people, and that's what this activity is centered around, taking care of ourselves so we can help other people.”

– Natalie Schrader

Impactful Moments

“When I first got here, I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do. Dr. Winder sat me down one day and she just said, “tell me your story.” And that was the first time I actually told my story. I believe those were the most impactful moments, just knowing that the faculty cares as much as I do.”

– Jerome Frazier

Experienced Faculty

"One of the real-life scenarios that's really impacted me is crisis intervention. I've really gravitated towards that aspect of this major - learning how to respond to individuals who are in crisis. Some of the professors have had jobs that deal with counseling and they share their experiences with us."

– Skylar Bartholomew

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Mar 1

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM

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Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

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Admissions Office

Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

PATH logo
AIDS Resource
Lycoming County Children & Youth Services Logo
Related Programs

Follow your passion

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

National Human Services Organization

The National Human Services Organization has established a code of ethics, which is designed to protect the rights and dignity of human service professionals and their clients. Students are introduced to this early in their coursework and it is reinforced through the internship experience.

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Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Penn College News
students engage in a restorative circle training

Friday, December 13, 2024

Restorative justice circles boost students' skills

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s human services & restorative justice major recently observed Restorative Justice Week, an annual international celebration designed to raise awareness of the transformative impact of restorative justice and honor its practitioners and participants. This year’s theme was “The promise of restorative justice in a polarizing world.”

Read Article
Students hold a Penn College banner near a historic building in Budapest

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Penn College classes add global travel to students’ education

Supporting Pennsylvania College of Technology’s mission to equip future leaders with real-world experience, faculty members led students in exploring new parts of that world through six 2024 Global Experience classes. In Europe, students explored the origin and future of objects of their study, and in Latin America, they used their budding skills to serve others. Around 135 students participated in the classes.

Read Article
large group photo

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Human services students fold hope into community effort

Several students in Penn College’s human services & restorative justice major provided volunteer support recently to the Union County Giving Closet. The Penn College team pitched in to bag clothing, toys, books and other items donated following the Common Threads Consignment Sale. The items will help the Union County Giving Closet support local families in need.

Read Article
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. As part of this curriculum, you’ll participate in two in-depth practical learning internships including 30 hours of observation in the community and a 175-hour internship.

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Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Human service students see firsthand example of civic impact

At Penn College, learning often goes beyond textbooks and into the real world.

Read more
More Information

Students must complete all HSJ-designated courses and ENL-designated courses with a grade of 'C' or above. Failure to achieve a grade of 'C' or above in a course after the maximum attempts allowed by College policy, results in withdrawal from the major. Students should work closely with their academic advisors and program faculty to ensure that they are meeting all criteria for satisfactory progress in the program. 

Continued progression in the program, to include eligibility for internship courses and graduation, is predicated not only upon satisfactory academic performance, but also upon satisfactory demonstration of professional and ethical responsibility, personal responsibility, and satisfactory demonstration of skills and abilities prerequisite to the ethical delivery of services in the field. For more specific information about the criteria used to evaluate students' progress, a copy of the program manual can be obtained from the School of Business, Arts & Sciences.

The following grading system applies to all HSJ-designated courses for students in the
Human Services & Restorative Justice major:

A= 90-100%
B= 80-89.99%
C= 70 –79.99%
F= Below 70%

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page in our Course Catalog for general requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

The Human Services and Restorative Justice program abides by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) ethical standards, which can be found here. Students in this program are required to complete a 30-hour supervised field experience and a 175-hour internship. Depending on work site requirements, some of the placements may require some or all of the following background checks: completion of standard basic health appraisal form and receipt of Children's Services Protection Act 33 clearance, State Police clearance, and FBI clearances. Please note that we do not assume responsibility for the requirements of any external organization, and we cannot guarantee placements if the necessary clearances are mandated but cannot be secured by the student.

  • Ms. Robin Dadzie, Case Management Supervisor, AIDS Resource Alliance
  • Mr. Christopher T Kriner, Detective Sergeant - Criminal Investigations, Old Lycoming Township Police Department
  • Ms. Amber B Morningstar, YWCA Program Director, YMCA Northcentral PA
  • Mr. Zane R Pardoe, Supervisor of Education, USP Lewisburg
  • Ms. Jennifer Reigel, Reentry Affairs Coordinator, FCC Allenwood/NE Region Office
  • Ms. Penny L Sines, Social Worker II, DOC SCI-Muncy
  • Nicole J Spring, Esquire, Chief Public Defender, Lycoming County Public Defender
  • Ms. Rachel Thompson, Workforce Specialist, CareerLink
  • Mr. Joseph J Weber, Permanency Services, Unit Supervisor, Lycoming Children & Youth Services
  • Mr. Jeffrey P Wheeler, Assistant Clinical Director, White Deer Run - Allenwood
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Admissions Office

  • Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

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