Social & Human Service Assistant (SHSA) (Hybrid)
Program Description
The Social & Human Service Assistant (SHSA) program prepares students for entrylevel roles supporting social workers, case managers, counselors, and community agencies. Students develop foundational skills in client support, documentation, ethics, advocacy, crisis response, and community outreach across diverse populations. This program provides foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to assist other human service professionals in delivering essential services to individuals, families and communities.
Program Goals
Students receive training in:
• Foundations of community and human services
• Roles and responsibilities of Community Health Workers
• Ethics, HIPAA, and professional boundaries
• Cultural competency and effective communication
• Public health fundamentals and social determinants of health
• Client intake, documentation, and case support
• Advocacy, outreach, and community education
• Motivational interviewing and interpersonal skills
• Workplace readiness, professionalism, and self-care
• Supervised practicum or experiential learning (as applicable)
Through a combination of classroom instructions and hands-on training, students develop the skills necessary to support clients with intake, referrals, service planning, and follow-up while maintaining compliance with agency policies and ethical standards. Graduates are prepared to work in diverse settings such as social service agencies, community health centers, shelters, schools, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Our record of job placement assistance is currently 90%.
Program cycle 305 hours 4 Months (Hybrid: Online + InPerson): Cost $6,000 Cash payment entitles a 15% discount. A $75.00 non-refundable registration fee is applicable. All Certification fee is billed separately.
Questions? Contact Dorson VTI at 973-676-6300.
Online classes start immediately after acceptance. Upon successful completion of the required online instructional component of the program requirements students will be notified of their eligibility to set for the applicable national certification examination through MedCA recognized credentialing body where applicable to the program.
Eligibility to test does not guarantee certification and is subject to the polices and requirements of the credentialing organization. Externship placement is subject to availability and is not guaranteed. Completion of an externship does not guarantee employment.
Externship participation where applicable is optional and is not a condition of program completion or graduation. Students who request externship consideration will be notified following completion of the certification exam and in accordance with instructional of externship policies. Certain externship sites may require additional documentation, background checks, health screenings or compliance with site specific policies. Failure to meet externship site requirements may result in denial of placement without refund or program extension.