Social & Human Services

AAS-T, Certificate

The Social and Human Services Program is a six-quarter program offering an associate of applied science degree. The program provides training for students who want to find employment in community-oriented social and human services occupations. New students may enter the program fall, winter or spring quarters. Courses are offered day and evening. In addition to preparing students for human services occupations, the program coursework serves students who plan to continue their education toward a baccalaureate degree in human services, counseling, social work or community services. Students can explore their interests and aptitudes for the field and at the same time fulfill the usual college transfer requirements.

Students in related vocational areas such as nursing, child and family studies, interpreter training and careers in both the public and private sector, can obtain specialized information regarding people problems and helping skills. Agency employees or volunteers can enroll in selected coursework on a continuing basis to up-grade skills and abilities. Any student or resident in the community can use the program for self-growth, personal enrichment and increased awareness regarding community issues and problems.

The SHS program offers courses that meet State of Washington Bureau of Alcohol and Substance Abuse requirements for chemical dependency certification. (Additional elective courses may be needed to meet state requirements. Consult with the division counselor for specific requirements.)

In addition to the associate of applied science degree, certificate programs contained within this area of study include Chemical Dependency Specialist, Community Health Advocate, and Child and Family Studies.

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Social and Human Services Program qualifies a student for employment in the areas of alcoholism and drug abuse treatment, corrections, mental health, aging, developmental disabilities, child welfare and delinquency, and rehabilitation. Students interested in advanced professional training in the fields of social work, clinical psychology, guidance counseling, psychiatry and rehabilitation counseling will also find the program to be an appropriate beginning point for their professional education.

Entrance Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED equivalent in the U.S.
  • Test Requirements: Writing and reading comprehension components of the college admissions test (must be eligible for ENG 101); and the math placement test (must be eligible for MAT 084).
  • Entrance into the SHS program is on a first-come, first-served basis after prerequisite testing has been completed. Students may enter the program any quarter.

    • How To Get Started

    • Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
    • After matriculation by Admissions, call the division counselor's office at 206-587-4415 for an appointment/interview to determine eligibility to enter the program. Bring a copy of your transcripts and test results with you when you meet with the counselor.
      Counselor: Kimberly McRae, KMcRae@sccd.ctc.edu

    Once admission requirements have been met, students are accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis until maximum enrollment is reached.

    Estimated Training Costs

    Curriculum

    Related Instruction (Required for A.A.S.)Cr
    Social Science/Humanities Elective (5 cr)
    CMST&101 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION 5
    (Formerly CMN 105 – Perspectives on Communication) Intro to communication as a transactional process, with attention to personal, cultural, group and public communication. Covers verbal and nonverbal messages, listening, self-concept and perception.
    ENGL&101 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 5
    (Formerly ENG 101) Intro to the writing process. Writing assignments focus on non-fiction prose, with subject matter drawn from firsthand experience and observation.
    ENGL&102 COMPOSITION II 5
    (Formerly ENG 102) Continuation of the composition sequence with further instruction and practice in the writing process, concentrating on critical reading and writing techniques needed for the preparation and completion of documented essays.
    PSYC&100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 5
    (Formerly PSY 110) Intro to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning and thinking, development, perception, motivation, emotion, personality and individual differences, social and abnormal behavior, and research methods.
    SOC& 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 5
    (Formerly SOC 110 – Survey of Sociology) Covers human social interaction with emphasis on group aspects of human behavior. Includes culture, socialization, family, education, urbanization, gender roles, social class, deviance, race, sexuality, demography and social change.
    Human Services Core CreditsCr
    SHS 100 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES 5
    Overview of the human service field with emphasis on the role of the professional. Includes career development, attitudes and values, behavioral and cultural differences, individual and group intervention techniques and community awareness.
    SHS 103 SURVEY OF INSTITUTIONS 5
    Intro to social welfare institutions. Explores common social problems such as poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, racism, sexism. Emphasis on social systems set up to solve these problems. use critical thinking skills in analysis of issues, presentation of quantitative information and interpretations of statistics on local community issues and concerns.
    SHS 106 PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELING 5
    Intro to interviewing and basic counseling skills. Exploration of personal values, motivations, biases and needs. Development of beginning-level counseling skills and awareness of unique qualities each brings into the helping profession. Foundation for advanced counseling courses.
    SHS 108 GROUP DYNAMICS & COUNSELING 5
    Intro to group work, including group processes, communication patterns, group and individual goal-setting, leadership and decision-making. Includes group participation, role-playing and simulations.
    SHS 197 FIELD PLACEMENT: SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES 3
    Work experience in human services agencies, with individual and group supervision provided by agency professionals to share experiences and further develop work-related skills.
    SHS 198 FIELD PLACEMENT: SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES 3
    Work experience in human service agencies. Individual and group supervision provided by agency professionals. Weekly seminar to share experiences and further develop work-related skills. 120 hours per quarter required.
    SHS 199 FIELD PLACEMENT: SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES 5
    Work experience in human services agencies, with individual and group supervision provided by agency professionals to share experiences and further develop work-related skills. Required 120 hours per quarter.
    Human Services Specialization CoursesCr
    SHS 150 HIV/AIDS WORKSHOP 1
    Meets requirements for Social and Human Services professionals in the Meets requirements for social and human service professionals in the ffields of counseling, alcholism and/or substance abuse. Includes ields of counseling, alcoholism and/or substance abuse. Includes topictopics on etiology and epidemiology of HIV, transmission and infections on etiology and epidemiology of HIV, transmission and infection contcontrol; testing and counseling; clinical manifestations and treatmentrol, testing and counseling, clinical manifestations and treatment, anand psychosocial issues. Approved by the Washington State Division d psychosocial issues. Approved by the Washington State Division of Alof Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. coholism and Substance Abuse.
    SHS 200 THEORIES OF COUNSELING 4
    Intro to psychopathology and assessment and counseling theories. Covers ethics, personality theory, counseling techniques and issues, and development of a personal style of assessment and counseling.
    SHS 205 CRISIS INTERVENTION 3
    Intro to crisis theory and techniques for beginning mental health/human services professional. Emphasis on high-stress populations requiring immediate intervention. Includes psychiatric emergencies, sexual assault, incest, battered women, death and dying, loss, assessment techniques and in-depth interviewing skills.
    SHS 207 BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT 3
    For human service professionals working with children, adolescents and adults with behavioral problems. Covers learning theory and its application to clients in a variety of settings. Includes knowledge and skills needed to effectively help clients manage their behavior. Understand and practice concepts basic to behavior modification and behavior management.
    SHS 210 MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING 3
    Covers effective counseling approaches which take into account client differences in culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities and ethnicity. Learn to interview client group representatives and assess community resources.
    SHS 215 ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT 5
    Focuses on adolescent development and concurrent social, cultural and sexual problems. Includes theory of normal and deviant behavior development, treatment theory and practice, and effective use of community resources.
    SHS 231 PHYSIOLOGY ALCOHOLISM 3
    Studies effects of chemical dependency on the body, including basic biochemical action, organ/system effects, poly drug interactions and physiological management of the disease.
    SHS 232 CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AND THE FAMILY 3
    Examines chemical dependency problems in the family, including family roles and dynamics, adult children of alcoholics, interventions and family work as focus of treatment.
    SHS 233 CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELING 5
    Provides an overview of specialized recovery techniques, including individual, group and family approaches.
    SHS 235 INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 5
    Surveys use and abuse of legal and illegal drugs. Analyzes patterns of dependency and addiction associated with prescription, over-the-counter, and illegal substances. Explores methods of prevention, control and treatment.
    SHS 242 MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS IN CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 5
    Introduction to the DSM IV system of determining diagnosis and currentIntro to the DSM IV system of determining diagnosis and current theory theory for the etiology of the primary Axis I and Axis II disorders. for the etiology of the primary Axis I and Axis II disorders.
    SHS 245 MENTAL HEALTH OVERVIEW 3
    Covers the relationship between mental functioning and body physiology; behavioral and physical dysfunctions; reactions to prolonged stress; theories of pain, holistic health, nutrition, cross-cultural perspectives on healing, biofeedback, meditation, psychosomatic diseases and stress reduction.
    SHS 250 CLIENT AND COMMUNITY ADVOCACY 4
    Covers the role of the advocate in a helping situation, use of community advocacy resources, and effective use of the media, law, negotiation, and political process to achieve needed services for people.
    SHS 255 CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS TREATMENT ISSUES AND SVCS 5
    Explores skills and knowledge needed for working with clients experiencing both mental illness and chemical dependency. Covers symptomatology of frequently diagnosed mental disorders; criteria for substance and dependence; identifying referral needs and processes; treatment needs and barriers; and local services and case management available for the mentally ill chemically abusing (MICA) client.
    SHS 265 MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION 5
    Covers management skills for first-line supervisors in alcohol, drug, mental health, correctional, youth, and other human service programs. Includes supervision, time management, motivation, leadership, discipline, personnel management, performance appraisals, communications, training and self-development.
    SHS 270 LAW AND ETHICS IN CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 3
    Studies the role of law and professional ethical standards in the delivery of chemical dependency services. Covers theoretical and practical applications using Washington Administrative Code requirements as case examples.
    SHS 275 Chemical Dependency and Domestic Violence 3
    Specifically designed for those working with chemically addicted, abusive clients and with their interactions with family members. Study of treatment goals for domestic violence to foster client understanding of anger, making anger a useful tool, and using healthy and appropriate modes of communication.
    SHS 280 CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY CASE MANAGEMENT 3
    Emphasis on oral and written communication skills. Formulate up-to-date, accurate and understandable case files and records. Become familiar with federal and state confidentiality regulations in handling chemical dependent client records. Formulate concise treatment plans in accordance with legal requirements.
    SHS 296 * HUMAN SERVICES WORKSHOP 1
    Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
    SHS 297 * HUMAN SERVICES WORKSHOP 2
    Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
    SHS 298 * HUMAN SERVICES WORKSHOP 3
    Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
    SHS 299 INDEPENDENT STUDY OR RESEARCH 5
    Individual or group research projects on human service programs and problems. May include field or library research. Requires learning contract.

    * Workshops will include Relapse Prevention, Multicultural Counseling, Adolescent Assessment and other relevant topics. A total of eight credits may be used from SHS 296, SHS 297 or SHS 298 for the degree.

    Total Program Credits: 90

    To complete the program, a 2.0 or better grade is required in all SHS and related instruction courses.

    NOTE: Specific chemical dependency classes and requirements for Washington State chemical dependency counselor qualification are listed in the Chemical Dependency Specialist brochure.

    For Further Information:

    Social and Human Services Program
    Health and Human Services
    Seattle Central Community College
    1701 Broadway, Room BE3212A
    Seattle, WA 98122
    PHONE: (206) 587-6900
    FAX: