Mental health & social services
Social and human service assistant
Help people locate services, complete practical steps and work with support teams.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Varied entry routes; related study can help
Some employers train entrants without a bachelor’s degree. Psychology and related study can build useful preparation, but compare lower-cost entry routes and actual job requirements before choosing a degree. This is not licensed therapy.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “High school diploma or equivalent.” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Eastern Oregon University
Psychology
Study behavior, learning, research methods and the ways people think and interact.
Ask: Which experiences would help me test a human-services role before committing to graduate school?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Southern Oregon University
Psychology
Study human behavior, research and psychological theory in a bachelor’s pathway.
Ask: Which practical experiences would help me decide between entering human services and applying to graduate school?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Western Oregon University
Psychology
Explore behavioral science and research as a foundation for service-oriented work or further study.
Ask: What research or community experience would help me understand the work before choosing graduate school?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
George Fox University
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: Which degree best fits my interest in research, human services or later graduate study?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Pacific University
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: What research methods and data-analysis skills would I be able to show employers or graduate programs?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Linfield University
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: Which research opportunities are available to undergraduates, and what preparation do they require?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Willamette University
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: How are senior internships matched to students, and can I combine fieldwork with a research interest?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Lewis & Clark College
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: How can I connect the major’s research requirements with a supervised community experience?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Reed College
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: How are thesis mentors selected, and which research methods could I use for my project?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Corban University
Counseling Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: Which roles can I enter with this bachelor’s degree, and which require graduate education and licensure?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Bushnell University
Psychology
Study behavior, research and human development as a foundation for people-focused work or further education.
Ask: Which concentration and internship would help me test whether I want human-service work or further clinical study?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Warner Pacific University
Social Work
Prepare for work supporting people, families and communities through social-work study and practice.
Ask: What is the verified prerequisite list, and how are field placements and supervision arranged?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Pacific University
Social Work
Prepare for work supporting people, families and communities through social-work study and practice.
Ask: How are undergraduate field placements arranged, and what would qualify me for later advanced-standing MSW study?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Treasure Valley Community College
Addiction Studies
Prepares human-service paraprofessionals with a chemical-dependency focus. The catalog distinguishes the degree from the additional requirements for Oregon alcohol and drug counselor certification. The listed requirement groups sum to 88 credits; obtain a complete degree audit before using that figure as the graduation total.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Addiction Studies plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Mt. Hood Community College
Mental Health, Social Service and Addiction Counseling
Study counseling skills, case management, addiction theory and trauma-informed practice. This applied associate is a human-services pathway, not a license for independent psychotherapy.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Mental Health, Social Service and Addiction Counseling plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Human Services
The Human Services AAS includes counseling, crisis intervention and ethics. The school describes a QMHA registration pilot requiring completion, including practicum, before spring 2029; verify eligibility for your intended start.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Human Services plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Would I enjoy helping people navigate services while maintaining clear professional boundaries?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $24.63. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 11,015 jobs in 2024 to 11,788 in 2034. The projected 12,488 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →