Oakton's Human Services Program can prepare you for a profession where your ability to support others individually meets systemic changes needed to make society more equitable for all. Skills in facilitating conversations, leading groups and working within a team are a focus in our human services courses and can benefit you in every workplace. Our programs will train you in a multitude of interpersonal and communication skills so that you can start a new paraprofessional job or even change your existing career.
Are you considering a bachelor's or master's degree in social services or social work? Our academic advisors can help you start planning your transfer as soon as you're ready. Starting with a foundation at Oakton will give you the chance to get ahead with the core concepts of human services at a fraction of the cost of a four-year school. Courses in our curriculum can help students develop skills in the following and more:
Our program for an associate degree in human services is composed of 60 semester hours, including general education. Completing the degree is an automatic qualification for a certificate and transfer to certain bachelor's programs. Refer to the IAI General Education Courses list for guidance in selecting general courses.
If you do not wish to pursue degree studies you may complete a human services certificate to prepare for entry-level positions at many social service agencies. The certificate program is 34 semester hours.
The Mental Health & Crisis Response for Public Safety Certificate Program provides education and workplace training for sworn police officers and other individuals within law enforcement, such as security guards, probation officers, and US Marshals.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Bakahia Madison, LCPC
Chair and Professor
M.A. Roosevelt University
Psy.D. Illinois School of Professional Psychology
bmadison@oakton.edu
847.635.1845
Office: 2727, Des Plaines
Meet our part time faculty:
Anthony Bertram, LCSW, CADC, CODP
Lecturer
B.C.J. Marian University
M.S.W. Loyola University, Chicago
abertram@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Richard Lyon, M.A., LCPC, CADC, CAMS-II
Lecturer
B.A. Wheaton College
M.A. Wheaton College
rlyon@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Carolyn Ransom-Champion, Ed.D, CADC
Lecturer
B.A. National-Louis University
Ed.D, Argosy University, Chicago
cchampion@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Cathy Willis
Lecturer
B.A. National-Louis University
M.A. Northeastern Illinois University
cwillis@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
