Generalists are trained in a wide variety of helping interventions so that they may provide direct services to individuals or groups with a diversity of needs. These generalists also work in many different service settings integrating and coordinating the efforts of specialized professionals. Although graduates may vary from program to program in response to local needs, human service generalists are trained in basic helping skills essential to the helping relationship. In addition to skill training, programs provide knowledge and values components as the foundation to practice these skills. In addition to the skill courses mentioned earlier, most programs offer a core curriculum in human services and the opportunity to take specialized courses related to addictions, gerontology, child care, child protection, juvenile justice, corrections, and other such areas.
Programs provide extensive field-based experiences or practica in a variety of community agencies.
Such practica allow the student to integrate knowledge and skill and thereby demonstrate competency. There is a wide array of human services education and training programs in the United States today. In fact, each of the fifty states as well as the Canadian provinces and Australia has at least one program and many states, like New York, offer twenty or more. The initial programs in human services were offered at the community college level and awarded Associate Degrees. The primary educational focus is to prepare potential graduates to become direct service workers as beginning professionals.