Human Services & Social Work Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement in Social Work and Human Services is a stackable certificate offered by the Social Science Department as part of the ELAC Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree program. The proposed Certificate of Achievement in Social Work and Human Services is designed to assist students seeking careers in Social Work and Human Services. Experienced faculty with professional experience in the social service sector teach our courses; a student can complete this cross-disciplinary Certificate of Achievement in Social Work and Human Services in two semesters. The program equips students with the skill set and opportunities for entry-level jobs that are not typically available at the beginning of their educational experience in the career pathway.

Learning Outcomes:

1) Demonstrate understanding of ethical and legal considerations in social work and human services.

2) Apply effective communication, active listening, and interviewing techniques when working with clients.

3) Identify and connect individuals to appropriate resources and support services.

4) Develop a professional resume and enhance your interview skills for an entry-level Social Work or Human Services position.

5) Students are exposed to real-life, "hands-on" experiences with members, faculty, and mentors in the field.

To earn the COA in Social Work and Human Services, students must complete the following:

• Completion of 12 semester units
• Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
• A minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major, and
• Completion of LACCD General Education Plan

Enrollment projections for a two-year timeline are estimated at 130 students. The projected certification completion rate for a two-year timeline is approximately 60 students completing this certificate.

This Certificate of Achievement in Social Work and Human Services helps students pursue social services and social work careers. Students develop a practical understanding of an entry-level position in social services through these courses. Sociology 001 (Introduction to Sociology) offers basic concepts and techniques of sociology as a social science. Patterns and origins of social behavior in a diverse society are analyzed. Students learn about human behavior and experience, including research methods in psychology, the biological basis of behavior, learning and memory, motivation, theories of personality, psychological disorders, and their treatments, in Psychology 001 (Introduction to Psychology). Sociology 019: Introduction to Social Services provides students with an overview of the history and development of social services. Emphasis is placed on social work, casework, and urban generalists, with the welfare system, community organizations, healthcare, and Medicare covered. Upon completing Sociology 019, students can progress to Sociology 020, a course focusing on Directed Practice in Social Welfare. In Sociology 020, students will apply the theories learned in the previous courses while completing a 54-hour field placement outside of the class at a community service agency. Students are assessed on their participation in these field placements, such as child abuse prevention, sexual assault, elderly services, primary and secondary education, homelessness, and/or suicide prevention, and the application of course material related to their fieldwork. According to the Center of Excellence Labor Market Information, the specific occupations associated with this program include Social and Human Service Assistants and Community Health Workers. The curriculum is designed to meet the workforce demands for an entry-level position in social work and human services and similar fields such as collaborative health and human services, criminal justice, human services, social work, and sociology. 

The Social Work/Human Services certificate consists of two semesters, with Semester 1 requiring a maximum of three 3-unit courses and Semester 2 requiring one 3-unit course in Sociology 20. The total number of units for the certificate is 12. Students must complete all courses with a minimum grade of C or higher. Students may complete the certificate within two semesters. Students can take the courses in any order they prefer. Sociology 020 (Directed Practice in Social Welfare) requires Sociology 019 (Introduction to Social Services) as a prerequisite.

The Social Work and Human Services certificate program recognizes students through a certificate of achievement. Additionally, this certificate is stackable and leads to ELAC's existing Sociology AA-T.

Cerritos College, Glendale College, Long Beach City College, Rio Hondo, LA Valley College, and LA City College 

60 enrollments

N/A