What can I do with this?
The Human Services AS Degree
- Prepares students for employment in a broad range of human services settings.
- Is for students who want to make a difference and help others.
- Is for students dedicated to improving or maintaining the physical and mental health and general well-being of people.
You can use this to:
- Earn a two-year Associates degree.
- Enhance career opportunities as a:
- Human Services Technician
- Case Worker
- Family Development Specialist
- Recovery Specialist
- Independent Living Specialist
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, the profession of social work is expected to increase more than the average for all other occupations. Job prospects are expected to be favorable, particularly for those who specialize in aging.
What will I learn?
- To articulate the broad concerns and practices of human services industries.
- To demonstrate four core sets of human services skills: conducting an interview, writing an incident report, participating in team meetings, and providing necessary support and referrals to consumers.
- To assess situations for appropriate entry level professional, legal and ethical responses.
- To use supervisory feedback for improved performance.
- To analyze the cultural components of a human services situation and recommend culturally appropriate interventions.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
This program was life changing. It gave me the tools and skills to find the job I want.
I have a passion for helping people. The Human Services program gave me the education and guidance to pursue this dream.
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
Complete all of the following courses:
Prerequisite: ENGL C040
54 hours lecture. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the human service professions and their role in helping people to cope with the problems of living. The course provides a historical overview and contemporary theories, as well as description of service delivery models of human services and allows the student to understand the client as a whole person in a specific context. The course addresses competence, professionalism, legal and ethical issues in human services.
Prerequisite: ENGL C040
54 hours lecture. This course explores the themes of dominant culture and sub-cultures in relations to human services, with special emphasis on the cultural complexities of individuals and communities and culturally skillful interventions. Approved for Local GE Area 6.
Prerequisite: HMSV C101
54 hours lecture. In this course students integrate theory about human services occupations into actual workplace practices by role-playing work place situations, interviewing people working in different human services settings, and analyzing workplace situations in order to practice professional responses. Students are prepared for internship in a human services work setting.
Prerequisite: HMSV C103
36 hours lecture/108 work experience. This course provides the student with the complete experience of working in a human services setting. Students have the opportunity to apply information, develop and practice skills, participate in a supervisory relationship, receive performance evaluation, and provide feedback to other human services trainees. Students are required to pass a drug screening, and if required by the agency, may need to have a Live Scan at their own expense. Student may need to fulfill other site specific requirements before beginning the internship. To pass this course students must complete 108 intern hours with a human services agency.
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course introduces students to the different models of case management in the human services field, the core skills which make up case management, the decision-making processes of case management, and the role of the case manager as a human services worker and collaborator with other persons, human services agencies and organizations.
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course is designed for those with little or no computer experience. Learners practice file management, email, instant messaging, and Internet browsing and searching. This course includes a brief introduction to industry standard word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation application programs. Computer terminology and identification of fundamental hardware and software applications are also introduced. (Formerly CSCI C070.)
Select 6 units from the following courses:
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This introductory course examines the major physical, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. Students observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. Approved for IGETC Area 4G, CSU GE Area D7 or E, Local GE Area 2.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course covers curriculum and intervention strategies for working with children with special needs in partnership with their families. The course focuses on the use of observation and assessment in meeting the individualized needs of children in inclusive and natural environments. The course emphasizes the role of the teacher as a professional working with families, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and developing cultural competence. Students will be required to observe children in a group setting. Approved for Local GE Area 6.
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. The course introduces students to assessment and treatment skills used in the helping professions. Topics include the helping interview, assessment, goal setting, cognitive interventions, and behavior management techniques.
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course offers the student an introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes focusing on exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior and mental processes, perceptions, consciousness, memory, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, development, intelligence, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) format is taught and applied to written assignments and papers. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9, Local GE Area 2.
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course provides an overview of the history and theories related to substance abuse, including alcoholism, drug abuse, and chemical dependency. The course addresses cultural, religious, and political influences, as well as public policy issues, prevention, and treatment, including recovery, relapse and self-help models. Approved for Local GE Area 2.
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined, as well as attention to developmental problems. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9 or E, Local GE Area 2.
Prerequisite: ENGL C070, PSYC C101
54 hours lecture. This course introduces the scientific study of psychopathology and atypical behaviors, broadly defined. Students investigate abnormal behavior from a variety of perspectives including biological, psychological, and sociocultural approaches. An integrative survey of theory and research in abnormal behavior, and intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders are also introduced. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9, Local GE Area 2.
Complete one of the following general education patterns:
The awarding of an Associate Degree at Cerro Coso Community College is intended to represent more than an accumulation of units. It is intended to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insights.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
Students desiring transfer to the California State University system may conform to either (1) the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or (2) CSU General Education Certification.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
IGETC is a series of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
Program Pathways
Official Catalog Copy
All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online
Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
60.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters
Non-residents
60.0 units
at $329 per unit
Equals $19,740 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $23,340 for 4 semesters
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
