Human Services Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

This certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in human services with a knowledge of intervention methodologies at the individual, group, and community levels.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Social Sciences, Human Development, Kinesiology & Health

Department

Human Services

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Public Service, Culture, Society

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate the applicable skill set in Humans Services.

  2. Demonstrate their understanding of goals, functions and organizational contemporary human service fields, evaluated by written or objective assessments.

  3. Apply the ethical decision making steps to practical problems and practice learned ethical responsibilities in regard to special populations, scope of practice and the helping of those in human service fields, evaluated by written or objective assessments.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

15 units
HUMSV 167
Crisis Intervention
The course examines the history and definitions of crisis intervention. Practical application of intervention theories and models, interviewing techniques, referral procedures, and assessment are explained and demonstrated. Analysis of types of crises such as suicide, substance abuse and violence in the workplace; common dangers; and coping methods will be presented. Professional issues including legal and ethical issues, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity and burn out are also covered.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  3. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
HUMSV 170
Introduction to Social Work and Human Services

An introduction to the social work and human service professions and social welfare within American society. Study of the history of social work and human services, roles and responsibilities of the social worker and a human service practitioner, including professional code of ethics governing these professions, the principles of social work practice and theoretical perspectives of human services in response to social problems. To build an appreciation of diversity and an understanding of marginalized and under-privileged and under-served populations in our society.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
HUMSV 172
Group and Family Dynamics
This course offers a comprehensive study of the dynamics operating in groups and families including the identification of healthy versus dysfunctional groups/families; methods of intervention in dysfunctional groups/families; and the techniques of facilitating treatment groups.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  3. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
HUMSV 173
Helping and Interpersonal Skills
This course offers a practical study of helping strategies and interpersonal skills. The focus is on the use of techniques to improve communication, better evaluate relationships, and resolve conflicts.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  3. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
HUMSV 179
Law and Ethics
This course explores the legal, ethical, professional and personal issues involved in the treatment of substance use disorder. Emphasis is placed on professional responsibility and patient rights as well as issues of the work place and professional growth. 

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
    2. and
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101

2nd Semester

12 units
Two courses from the following:

This course provides an exploration of the psychological, sociological, and physical causes and effects of substance use disorder.  Also included are overviews of the biopsychosocial nature of addiction; the impact of addiction on children, families and society; contemporary treatment and prevention approaches; and the addiction counseling profession.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  3. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • This course reviews the major concepts, definitions, and features of co-occurring mental health disorders associated with addiction. Skills in recognizing co-occurring disorders, referral and case management of clients, and appropriate scope of practice are emphasized. Common types of mental health issues associated with addiction, including mood, anxiety, and adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and unresolved issues of childhood abuse, are covered as well as an overview of appropriate treatment and management approaches. (Formerly HUMSV 281B)

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
      2. and
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    This course explores the cultural impact of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, and religion on substance use and access to treatment. The course will provide exposure to the fundamentals of cross-cultural counseling of individuals and families with substance use disorders, and common cultural barriers to traditional dependency counseling are examined. 

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
      2. and
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    This course offers an overview of family dynamics associated with alcoholism and drug addiction; the impact of the diseases on family members; family oriented approaches to recovery; and the reintegration of the family into the community. (Formerly HUMSV 186)

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
      2. and
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    This course provides a comprehensive overview of theories and strategies for the prevention of substance use disorders. Primary, secondary, and tertiary and evidence-based prevention models will be introduced and assessed. Prevention programs and activities appropriate for the community, school, parents and family, and work-sites will be covered. Strategies such as education, public policies, media/information dissemination, ethnic, cultural, and gender-specific approaches, environmental risk reduction, and alternatives will be presented and assessed for their application to differnet target populations. (Formerly HUMSV 189)

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
      2. and
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    This course provides an overview of the history, theories, skills and knowledge of case management in public social service settings. Topics include organizational structure, funding streams, regulatory issues, job descriptions, skills, personal qualities, evaluation, assessment and referral, employment services, and career paths. It is designed for students entering into the field of case management in public service.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 100
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    3. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
    This course provides an introduction to the field of career counseling including interviewing techniques, assessment tools, job opportunities and models for developing occupational options. (formerly HUMSV 207)

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015 or eligibility for READ 100 as determined by the SBVC assessment process.
    HUMSV 195A
    Social Work and Human Services Seminar I

    This course provides students participating in a supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution with weekly class meetings that provide the academic element to the experiential course offering. Students will learn and identify applied strategies for crisis intervention, case analysis, and therapeutic interventions while giving them the opportunity to develop skills that will facilitate gaining employment in social work settings or human service fields. 

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: HUMSV 170
    2. Prerequisite: HUMSV 172
    3. Prerequisite: HUMSV 173
    4. Prerequisite: HUMSV 179
    5. Corequisite: HUMSV 198C
    HUMSV 198C
    Social Work and Human Services Fieldwork I

    This course offers students supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution, allowing the student to apply knowledge and learn new skills outside of the classroom environment. This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to observe, practice, and develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in social work settings or human services fields.

    Course Details:

    1. Corequisite: HUMSV 195A
    2. Prerequisite: HUMSV 170
      3. and
    3. Prerequisite: HUMSV 172
      4. and
    4. Prerequisite: HUMSV 173
      5. and
    5. Prerequisite: HUMSV 179
    One course from the following:
    This course is an introduction to the anthropological study of human diversity and culture. Cultural anthropologists study human organization, expression, subsistence, communication, belief, and identity, in relation to social inequalities and culture change.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to UC/CSU

    • This course is an introduction to the anthropological study of human diversity and culture. Cultural anthropologists study human organization, expression, subsistence, communication, belief, and identity, in relation to social inequalities and culture change. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: ENGL 101
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to UC/CSU
    • This course surveys the nature and scope of psychology as a science. The content focuses on the exploration of psychological theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include psychology research design, biological bases of behavior, perception, consciousness, cognition, learning, development, memory, personality, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, emotion, motivation, social psychology, and applied psychology.  

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU
    • This course surveys the nature and scope of psychology as a science. The content focuses on the exploration of psychological theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include psychology research design, biological bases of behavior, perception, consciousness, cognition, learning, development, memory, personality, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, emotion, motivation, social psychology, and applied psychology.This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  • Transfers to CSU
    • This course is an introductory study of the basic concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods of sociology. Included in this examination are the social influences on human behavior, social structure, culture, socialization and the self, group dynamics, social stratification, and global patterns, with an emphasis on social institutions.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU

    • This course is an introductory study of the basic concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods of sociology. Included in this examination are the social influences on human behavior, social structure, culture, socialization and the self, group dynamics, social stratification, and global patterns, with an emphasis on social institutions. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: ENGL 101
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU

    • 3rd Semester

    6.5 units
    HUMSV 195B
    Human Services: Intern Seminar II
    This course provides an evaluation and application of applied strategies for crisis intervention, case analysis, and therapeutic interventions, and serves as a lecture-based foundation for student field work. STUDENTS MUST ALSO TAKE THE WORK EXPERIENCE CLASS THAT MATCHES THEIR CERTIFICATE GOAL (HUMSV 198 A-Z)

    Course Details:

    1. Corequisite: HUMSV 198C
      2. or
    2. Corequisite: HUMSV 198D
      3. or
    3. Corequisite: HUMSV 198E
      4. or
    4. Corequisite: HUMSV 198F
    HUMSV 198D
    Human Services Fieldwork II

    This course provides supervised field work in the area of Human Services at specific agencies. Students work in their assigned agencies for approximately 10 hours per week.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: HUMSV 198C
    2. Corequisite: HUMSV 195A
      3. or
    3. Corequisite: HUMSV 195B
    One course from the following:
    This course is an examination of contemporary social issues in the United States including causes, consequences, interventions, and solutions, with an emphasis on social institutions and other topics such as crime, inequalities, substance abuse, and the role of power and ideology in the construction and definitions of social problems. 

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU
    • This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. This course is also offered as ETHS 141.

    Course Details:

    This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work. This course is also offered as ETHS 141H.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: ENGL 101
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL 101H

    This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. (This course is also offered as SOC 141)

    Course Details:

    This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work. (This course is also offered as SOC 141H)

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: ENGL 101
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL 101H