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Human Services

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Chemical Dependency Studies Degree

The program in Chemical Dependency Studies centers around the specific skills and abilities necessary to provide comprehensive drug and alcohol counseling. Course work include the twelve counselor core function applications in addiction screening, intake, assessment, orientation, counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, client education, client rights, confidentiality, professional ethics and reports and record keeping.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
HSER 300 Introduction to Human Services 3
HSER 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
HSER 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency 3
HSER 341 Physiology and Pharmacology: Alcohol & Other Drugs 3
HSER 342 Alcoholism: Intervention, Treatment & Recovery 3
HSER 350 Employment Skills in Human Services 3
HSER 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling 3
HSER 362 Practices in Human Services 3
HSER 364 Techniques of Group Counseling 4
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
HSER 498 Work Experience in Human Services 0.5 -41
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3) 3
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior 3
Total Units: 37.5 - 41

1Students must complete a minimum of 255 internship hours for HSER 498.

The Chemical Dependency Studies Degree Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Evaluate the components of a quality chemical dependency counseling program
  • Demonstrate the twelve essential counseling skills as they apply to chemical dependency and recovery processes
  • Utilize counseling strategies based on examination of scientific theories of addiction
  • Identify the community resources used in assisting clients with addiction issues
  • Appraise and apply the knowledge of California Professional Codes of Ethics for Drug and Alcohol counselors
  • Evaluate one's own values and attitudes as they apply to ethical decision making
  • Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using principles of equity, justice, and inclusion

Career Information

Substance Abuse Counselor; Mental Health Social Worker; Social Worker; Child and Family Counselor; Child Protective Worker; Adult Protective Worker; Employee Assistance Counselor


A.A. in Human Services, General

This CRC program prepares students for employment as para-professionals with agencies such as youth group homes, youth and family services agencies, schools, probation, welfare, and mental health departments.

Highlights include:
* Individual and group counseling
* Interviews with employers
* Employment training, including resumes, cover letters, and interviews

This degree is designed for persons who are seeking careers as youth group home workers, family welfare and health agencies workers, count or state eligibility workers, and other para-professional positions. Graduates will have a broad ranges of human service skills, including group counseling, client interviewing, communication, problem solving, and employment.

Note to Transfer Students:
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this major, it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Schools vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The courses that CRC requires for an Associate’s degree in this major may be different from the requirements needed for the Bachelor’s degree.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
HSER 300 Introduction to Human Services 3
HSER 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
HSER 350 Employment Skills in Human Services 3
HSER 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling 3
HSER 364 Techniques of Group Counseling 4
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
HSER 362 Practices in Human Services 3
HSER 498 Work Experience in Human Services 0.5 -41
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
Total Units: 28.5 - 32

1Students must complete a minimum of 108 internship hours for HSER 498.

The Human Services, General Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • compete for employment as paraprofessionals with agencies such as youth group homes; youth and family service agencies; schools; probation, welfare and mental health departments.

Career Information

Peer Support Group Facilitator; Youth Group Home Worker; Family, Welfare, and Health Agencies Worker; Consumer Consultant; County or State Eligibility Worker; Conflict Containment Workers

Certificates of Achievement

Chemical Dependency Studies Certificate Certificate

The program in Chemical Dependency Studies centers around the specific skills and abilities necessary to provide comprehensive drug and alcohol counseling. Course work include the twelve counselor core function applications in addiction screening, intake, assessment, orientation, counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, client education, client rights, confidentiality, professional ethics and reports and record keeping.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
HSER 300 Introduction to Human Services 3
HSER 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
HSER 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency 3
HSER 341 Physiology and Pharmacology: Alcohol & Other Drugs 3
HSER 342 Alcoholism: Intervention, Treatment & Recovery 3
HSER 350 Employment Skills in Human Services 3
HSER 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling 3
HSER 362 Practices in Human Services 3
HSER 364 Techniques of Group Counseling 4
HSER 498 Work Experience in Human Services 0.5 -41
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior 3
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3) 3
Total Units: 37.5 - 41

1Students must complete a minimum of 255 internship hours for HSER 498.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Evaluate the components of a quality chemical dependency counseling program
  • Demonstrate the twelve essential counseling skills as they apply to chemical dependency and recovery processes
  • Utilize counseling strategies based on examination of scientific theories of addiction
  • Identify the community resources used in assisting clients with addiction issues
  • Appraise and apply the knowledge of California Professional Codes of Ethics for Drug and Alcohol counselors
  • Evaluate one's own values and attitudes as they apply to ethical decision making
  • Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using principles of equity, justice, and inclusion

Career Information

Substance Abuse Counselor; Mental Health Social Worker; Social Worker; Child and Family Counselor; Child Protective Worker; Adult Protective Worker; Employee Assistance Counselor


Human Services, General Certificate

This CRC program prepares students for employment as para-professionals with agencies such as youth group homes, youth and family services agencies, schools, probation, welfare, and mental health departments.

Highlights include:
* Individual and group counseling
* Interviews with employers
* Employment training, including resumes, cover letters, and interviews

This certificate is designed for persons who are seeking careers as youth group home workers, family welfare and health agency workers, county or state eligibility workers, and other para-professional positions. Completers will have a foundation in human service skills, including group counseling, client interviewing, and employment.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
HSER 300 Introduction to Human Services 3
HSER 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations 3
HSER 350 Employment Skills in Human Services 3
HSER 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling 3
HSER 364 Techniques of Group Counseling 4
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
HSER 362 Practices in Human Services 3
HSER 498 Work Experience in Human Services 0.5 -41
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
Total Units: 28.5 - 32

1Students must complete a minimum of 108 internship hours for HSER 498.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • compete for employment as paraprofessionals with agencies such as youth group homes; youth and family service agencies; schools; probation, welfare and mental health departments.

Career Information

Peer Support Group Facilitator; Youth Group Home Worker; Family, Welfare, and Health Agencies Worker; Consumer Consultant; County or State Eligibility Worker; Conflict Containment Workers