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Social Work/Human Services

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Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Social Work & Human Services

The Associate in Arts in Social Work and Human Services for Transfer degree program provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students interested in transferring to a CSU campus to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Human Services should meet with a counselor to confirm the courses required for lower-division preparation in the major.

This program has the following completion requirements:

(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Associate Degrees for Transfer also require that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.


Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
BIOL 300 The Foundations of Biology (3) 3 - 4
   or BIOL 307 Biology of Organisms (4)
   or BIOL 310 General Biology (4)
   or ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology (3)
ECON 302 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) 3
   or ECON 304 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology 3
STAT 300 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4) 3 - 4
   or PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
SWHS 300 Introduction to Social Work & Human Services 3
SWHS 366 Practices in Human Services 3
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 320 Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 482 Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
ECE 312 Child Development (3)
   or PSYC 372 Child Development (3)
ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
HIST 310 History of the United States (To 1877) (3)
HIST 311 History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3)
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
Total Units: 27 - 29

The Associate in Arts in Social Work & Human Services for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • identify and describe the basic skills, duties and responsibilities of a social work/human services paraprofessional.
  • identify social service and welfare systems, policies, and programs.
  • describe the ethical standards for social work/ human services paraprofessionals and demonstrate effective use of an ethical decision-making model.  
  • demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using the core principles of equity, social justice, cultural humility, and person-centered practice.
  • evaluate developing identity as a skilled, ethical, and self-reflective social work/human services paraprofessional.
  • demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in economics, psychology, sociology, and social work.

Career Information

The Social Work & Human Services degree is designed to facilitate students’ successful transition to four-year Social Work programs which prepare students for advanced studies in a variety of graduate programs and for entry level positions in a variety of social service settings. Social Workers with graduate degrees and professional licensure have a broad range of employment opportunities, including, but not limited to, clinical practice, community organizing, policy, advocacy, research, and teaching. Social Workers work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of clients.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Social Work/Human Services, General

The A.A. degree program in Social Work/Human Services prepares students for employment in paraprofessional positions in human service settings and prepares students for transfer to 4-year colleges or universities to continue their education toward advanced degrees and potential licensure in Social Work or related fields. Coursework focuses on skill development around core competencies for basic practice, including: interpersonal communication, case notes/writing/documentation, critical thinking, professional identity development, ethical and professional behavior, advocacy and social justice, cultural humility, and techniques for working with individuals and groups.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
SWHS 300 Introduction to Social Work & Human Services 3
SWHS 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
SWHS 331 Cross Cultural Psychology (3) 3
   or PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
SWHS 350 Ethical Issues in Social Work/Human Services 3
SWHS 360 Techniques for Interviewing and Case Management Services 3
SWHS 366 Practices in Human Services 3
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 9
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ECE 312 Child Development (3)
ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
HIST 331 Women in American History (3)
PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics (3)
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
SOC 379 Making Social Change (3)
SWHS 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency (3)
SWHS 365 Techniques for Working with Groups (3)
SWHS 367 Advanced Practices in Human Services (3)
SWHS 494 Topics in Human Services (0.5 - 4)
SWHS 498 Work Experience in Human Services (0.5 - 4)
Total Units: 30

The Social Work/Human Services, General Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local FLC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See FLC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • define, describe, and demonstrate the basic skills, duties and responsibilities of a human services paraprofessional.
  • discuss and analyze human service and welfare systems, policies, and programs.
  • describe the ethical standards for Human Services & Social Work professionals and demonstrate effective use of a ethical decision-making model.  
  • demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using core principles of equity, social justice, cultural humility, and person-centered practice.
  • identify and demonstrate effective techniques for working with individuals and/or groups.
  • evaluate developing identity as a skilled, ethical, and self-reflective social work/human services paraprofessional.
  • demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in psychology, sociology and/or social work.
  • demonstrate proficiency in writing, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and introductory statistics.

Career Information

Job titles may include, but are not limited to: Case Manager; Behavioral Technician; Social and Human Service Specialist; Residential Advisors; Health Educator; Community Health Worker; Rehabilitation Specialist;  Social and Community Service Specialist; Advocate; Mental/Behavioral Health Specialist; Peer Mentor/Peer Specialist; Service Coordinator

Certificate of Achievement

Human Services Specialist Certificate

The Human Services Specialist certificate program in Social Work/Human Services prepares students for employment in paraprofessional positions in human service settings. Coursework focuses on skill development around core competencies for basic practice, including: interpersonal communication, case notes/writing/documentation, critical thinking, professional identity development, ethical and professional behavior, advocacy and social justice, cultural humility, and techniques for working with individuals and groups. This program is aligned with coursework for the SWHS General AA degree, allowing students to continue forward in their career and educational pathways, if desired.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
SWHS 300 Introduction to Social Work & Human Services 3
SWHS 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
SWHS 331 Cross Cultural Psychology (3) 3
   or PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
SWHS 350 Ethical Issues in Social Work/Human Services 3
SWHS 360 Techniques for Interviewing and Case Management Services 3
SWHS 366 Practices in Human Services 3
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ECE 312 Child Development (3)
ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
HIST 331 Women in American History (3)
PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics (3)
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
SOC 379 Making Social Change (3)
SWHS 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency (3)
SWHS 365 Techniques for Working with Groups (3)
SWHS 367 Advanced Practices in Human Services (3)
SWHS 494 Topics in Human Services (0.5 - 4)
SWHS 498 Work Experience in Human Services (0.5 - 4)
Total Units: 27

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • define, describe, and demonstrate the basic skills, duties and responsibilities of a human services paraprofessional.
  • discuss and analyze human service and welfare systems, policies, and programs.
  • describe the ethical standards for Human Services & Social Work professionals and demonstrate effective use of a ethical decision-making model. 
  • demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using core principles of equity, social justice, cultural humility, and person-centered practice.
  • identify and demonstrate effective techniques for working with individuals and/or groups.
  • evaluate developing identity as a skilled, ethical, and self-reflective social work/human services. paraprofessional
  • demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in psychology, sociology and/or social work.

Career Information

Job titles may include, but are not limited to: Social and Human Service Specialist; Residential Specialist; Health Education specialist; Community Health Assistant; Rehabilitation Specialist;  Social and Community Service Specialist; Mental/Behavioral Health Specialist; Peer Mentor/Peer Specialist

Certificate

Human Services Paraprofessional Certificate

The Human Services Paraprofessional Certificate prepares students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions in human services settings. Coursework focuses on skill development around core competencies for basic practice, including: interpersonal communication, case notes/writing/documentation, and ethical & professional behavior. This program is aligned with coursework for the Human Services Specialist Certificate and SWHS General AA degree, allowing students to continue forward in their career and educational pathways, if desired.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
SWHS 300 Introduction to Social Work & Human Services 3
SWHS 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
SWHS 331 Cross Cultural Psychology (3) 3
   or PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
SWHS 350 Ethical Issues in Social Work/Human Services 3
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ECE 312 Child Development (3)
ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
HIST 331 Women in American History (3)
PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics (3)
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
SOC 379 Making Social Change (3)
SWHS 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency (3)
SWHS 360 Techniques for Interviewing and Case Management Services (3)
SWHS 365 Techniques for Working with Groups (3)
Total Units: 18

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • identify, describe, and perform the basic skills, duties and responsibilities of a human services paraprofessional.
  • identify human service and welfare systems, policies, and programs.
  • accurately describe ethical standards for Human Services professionals and an ethical decision-making model.
  • demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse populations.

Career Information

Career Opportunities - Job titles include: Social and Human Service Assistants; Direct Care Support; In-Home Health Assistant; Residential Assistant; Day Program Assistant; Rehabilitation Assistant; Social and Community Service Assistant; Peer Mentor.