Human Services

The Associate in Science in Human Services prepares students for careers in the helping professions including social work, counseling, substance abuse prevention, and/or treatment. The program provides an overview of the field of human services and explores issues and dynamics within the social services delivery system. A second specialization in drug and alcohol studies prepares students for work in the drug and alcohol treatment field. An academic course of study focuses on the history, theory, development, and implementation of our society's responses to human needs. Students develop knowledge of the issues related to human services and build competencies in practice interventions, strategies, technologies, and resources for the delivery of human services. The program explores a unique empowerment model that helps clients and students identify and build on their strengths. Students study diversity and equity issues within the human services and explore current social, political, and cultural forces and advocate for underserved populations. Students will build critical thinking and technological skills, learn effective communication skills in helping relationships, and apply concepts of equity to program development, collaboration, and ethics.

Service learning experience is required as part of the program as an opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge and skill development through a placement in local community programs and/ or non-profit organizations.

This program conforms to the proposed guidelines for addiction studies within higher education prepared for the California State Department of Education and meets the accreditation standards set forth by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE). Students can choose a focus in the degree such as general human services or drug and alcohol studies, or students may work with an academic counselor to create their own focus. A focus can lead students towards a specific career pathway or educational goal. 

The program is designed to prepare students for employment opportunities in social work, psychology, health/human services, human resources, counseling, and community studies. Career opportunities include professional positions as social work assistants, community advocates for children, adults, or families at risk, domestic abuse counselors, case managers, general counselors, alcohol and drug abuse counselors, eligibility and outreach workers, community health workers, job training specialists, legal aid paraprofessionals, residential counselors, mental health technicians, gerontology aides, probation officers, and more. Students who wish to transfer should meet with an academic counselor to determine which courses must be taken to meet transfer requirements in related majors. 

An Associate in Science degree requires 60 units appropriate to your educational goal, including general education and at least 30 units in the major.

General education courses present a broad overview of different academic disciplines. There are different general education patterns available. Please meet with an academic counselor to determine which general education pattern best meets your goals and creates a pathway to completion. Visit the general education page for additional information.

 

Courses in the major go more in depth into the area of the study. Below are required courses and approved electives for this degree. 

Students planning to transfer should select courses that meet requirements of the intended transfer university. For UC and CSU campuses, these major requirements can be found at www.assist.org.

Meet with an academic counselor to ensure you are taking the best courses given your goal.

The projected enrollment and completion rate is 15 students per year with opportunity for annual growth. A certificate of achievement expects similar enrollment and completion rates. 

Cabrillo College is seeking Chancellor's Office approval of the Human Services - Associate in Science (A.S). The Human Services (HSERV) program prepares students to enter the social work profession by building the skills and knowledge needed to improve the overall quality of life of communities and service populations. Human development, child welfare, counseling theory and practice, substance abuse treatment, cultural competence, domestic abuse, ethics and prevention are all part of the curriculum. The Human Services - Associate in Science (A.S) prepares students to work with alcohol and other drug dependent populations, and the family and employers of the chemically dependent persons. The program provides an overview of the field of human services and explores issues and dynamics within the social services delivery system. A second specialization in drug and alcohol studies prepares students for work in the drug and alcohol treatment field. An academic course of study focuses on the history, theory, development, and implementation of our society's responses to human needs. Students develop knowledge of the issues related to human services and build competencies in practice interventions, strategies, technologies, and resources for the delivery of human services. The program explores a unique empowerment model that helps clients and students identify and build on their strengths. Students study diversity and equity issues within the human services and explore current social, political, and cultural forces and advocate for underserved populations. Students will build technological skills, learn effective communication skills in helping relationships and understanding equity to develop creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and ethics. 

Service learning experience is required as part of the program as an opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge and skill development through a placement in local community programs and/ or non-profit organizations.

This program conforms to the proposed guidelines for addiction studies within higher education prepared for the California State Department of Education and meets the accreditation standards set forth by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE).

The two primary goals of this program are to prepare students for entry-level employment in the Human Services field as a Substance Abuse Counselor and to help the student enhance skills to advance further up the career ladder in Substance Abuse Services.

The program requires 21 units of general education and 39 units of coursework in the area including electives and practicum coursework. 

Associate in Science General Education21

Required (Total 12)Complete the following number of units: 12

HSERV50 - Introduction to the Human Services3

HSERV51 - Practices in the Human Services3

HSERV52 - Introduction to Counseling and Case Management3

SOC11 - Families and Society3

Required (Total 3)Complete the following number of units: 3

PSYCH1 - General Psychology3

PSYCH1H - Honors General Psychology3

Required (Total 3)Complete the following number of units: 3

SOC1 - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Society3

SOC1H - Honors Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Society3

Required (Total 3)Complete the following number of units: 3

PSYCH31 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3

PSYCH33 - Personal and Social Adjustment3

Required (Total 1-2)Complete the following number of units: 1-2

HSERV55A - Human Services Practicum I1-2

HSERV56A - Alcohol and Drug/Human Services Practicum I1-2

Required (Total 1-2)Complete the following number of units: 1-2

HSERV55B - Human Services Practicum II1-2

HSERV56B - Alcohol and Drug/Human Services Practicum II1-2

Students are required to take a minimum of 2 units of practicum from HSERV55A/B and/or HSERV56A/B. Students focusing on Drug and Alcohol Studies are recommended to take the HSERV56A/B series along with the elective block focused on Drug and Alcohol studies.0

Electives (Total 10)Complete the following number of units: 10

Drug and Alcohol Studies Focus (Total 10)Complete the following number of units: 10

Students can choose the drug and alcohol focus by completing the 10 units of electives listed below.0

HSERV53 - Techniques of Group Counseling in the Human Services2

HSERV60 - Alcohol, Drugs, and Society3

HSERV161 - Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery3

HSERV162 - Physiology and Pharmacology: Alcohol and Other Drugs3

HSERV163 - Prevention: Alcohol and Other Drugs1

HSERV164 - Ethics: Personal and Professional Growth in the Human Services2-4

MA184 - Health Care Communication2

Student Selected Focus (Total 10)Complete the following number of units: 10

Students may work with an academic counselor to create their own focus based on the list of recommended electives below.0

CABT38 - Introduction to Microsoft Office3-4

CABT101 - Computer Proficiency3

COMM1 - Public Speaking3

COMM1H - Honors Public Speaking3

COMM10 - Communication Process3

COMM12 - Intercultural Communication3

CG51 - Planning for Success1-3

ECE31 - Child Growth and Development3

ECE32 - Child, Family and Community3

ETHN3 - Race, Ethnicity, and Society3

SOC3 - Race, Ethnicity, and Society3

HS10 - Personal Health (Being Revised)3

KIN13 - First Aid3

WS1 - Introduction to Women's Studies3

MA184 - Health Care Communication2

PSYCH8 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology3

PSYCH31 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3

PSYCH35 - Death and Dying3

PSYCH2A - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences3

SPAN1 - Elementary Spanish I5

HSERV53 - Techniques of Group Counseling in the Human Services2

HSERV60 - Alcohol, Drugs, and Society3

HSERV161 - Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery3

HSERV162 - Physiology and Pharmacology: Alcohol and Other Drugs3

HSERV163 - Prevention: Alcohol and Other Drugs1

HSERV164 - Ethics: Personal and Professional Growth in the Human Services2-4

MA184 - Health Care Communication2

or any HSERV course 1-1991-4

BUS9 or MATH12/MATH12H may be substituted for PSYCH2A0

Electives: any course numbered 1-1994-6

The curriculum has been developed with input from local industry leaders and meets State and National standards for general Human Services and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling. The Drug and Alcohol Counseling concentration satisfies State educational requirements for certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor. The program collaborates with other departments on campus such as psychology and sociology in addition to providing a wide range of course elective choices. 

San Jose City College Alcohol and Drug Studies Department. Description: as a student in the Alcohol and Drug Studies program, you will prepare to work with the alcohol and other drug-dependent population, and the family and employer of the chemically dependent person. The program addresses community needs for trained alcohol and other drug specialists to work and volunteer in both public and private agencies in the Bay Area and across the State of California. Mary Cook Faculty, Alcohol & Drug Studies (408) 448-0333