Social Work and Human Services Assistant Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The Social Work and Human Service Assistant certificate prepares students for entry-level paraprofessional work opportunities in community agencies and can also create a pathway for the Social Work and Human Service AA-T transfer degree to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, and counseling practices.

Students learn effective case management skills, helping and interpersonal skills, and a general understanding overview of theories, skills and job opportunities in the social work and human service industry. Students will also learn about social work and human service ethical codes, morals, and laws, and consider how ethics and values guide the decision-making process and service delivery. Students will identify the role of the helper in advocacy for social justice with respect to all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, and how to deliver equitable services for all populations. Service-based learning opportunities with an apprenticeship placement, personal growth and professional development are provided.

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. Identify the goals, functions, organizational structures, evidenced-based practices, local governing laws, and ethical implications and responsibilities in the fields of Social Work and Human Services as assessed by written or objective assessments and on the job apprenticeship training.

  2. Analyze and apply the skills and attitudes needed in working with the diverse populations which make up the fields of Social Work and Human Services with special regard to equity, accessibility ethnicity, gender, age, home and food insecurities, substance and mental health disorders, and other cultural and religious diversity, as assessed by written or objective assessments.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

9 units
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 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 140
Case Management in Public Service
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

2nd Semester

7-10 units
HUMSV 098
Human Services Work Experience
Supervised training, in the form of on the job employment that will enhance the student's knowledge in the selected field of study. The student's major and job must match. For paid work, 75 hours = 1 unit; for volunteer work, 60 hours = 1 unit. Students may earn a total of 16 units toward graduation in Work Experience 098 courses. See department for specific guidelines. 

Course Details:

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 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
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