Degree Programs
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
The Human Services curriculum, offered by the Department of Psychology, is a lower division two year course of study designed to train a student in one of two Options: Human Services Generalist or Drug/Alcohol Studies. The curriculum also serves as an introduction to the helping professions for students planning four year college degrees in Psychology, Human Services, Behavioral Science, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Health Science and Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and other majors. The Human Services Curriculum specifically trains paraprofessionals who are able to function in a wide variety of areas under professional supervision.
Students in the Human Services Generalist Option and the Drug/Alcohol Studies Option complete the same core courses. Academic preparation is offered in basic psychology courses such as Introductory Psychology, Personality and Social Development, and Abnormal Psychology. Another part of the core classes concentrates on important communication skills and self awareness through participating in Group Dynamics courses, which are conducted as laboratory workshops for the purpose of engaging in and learning about the group process. The third aspect of the core courses is a three semester rotation through Field Work courses, coordinated and taught by a faculty member, in cooperation with facilities in the community. These fieldwork courses are related to the student's special interests and the population with whom they expect to work in the future.
By completing the courses listed below, students will be eligible for the Associate of Arts degree with a major in Human Services. Satisfactory completion of all courses with at least a "C" grade is required. Students should note that, while this curriculum culminates in an Associate of Arts degree and Human Services Certificate, additional courses are required for transfer to a four-year college.
HUMAN SERVICES GENERALISTS OPTION (2-Year Plan)
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
COURSES UNITS
First Semester
Psychology 1..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 43................................................................................... 3
*Physical Education
Second Semester
Psychology 14................................................................................... 3
Psychology 41................................................................................... 3
Psychology 44................................................................................... 3
Psychology 81................................................................................... 3
*Humanities Requirement
Third Semester
Psychology 3..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 13................................................................................... 3
Psychology 82................................................................................... 3
*Science Requirement
Fourth Semester
Psychology 2..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 45................................................................................... 3
Psychology 83................................................................................... 3
Total Units...................................................................................... 36
* American Institutions Requirement Elective
Students must meet the mathematics competency requirements for the Associate of Arts degree.
Recommended electives: Psychology 64, Family & Consumer Studies 21, Philosophy 6 or 8, Law 3,
Child Development 42.To complete general education requirements in this area of study, Plan B for the AA/AS Degree is required.
PLAN B: Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog "Graduation Requirements" section. Plan B is not designed for transfer to a four-year college.
3 Units English Composition
3 Units Communication/Analytical Thinking
3 Units Natural Sciences
3 Units Humanities
3 Units Social/Behavioral Sciences (including American History & Governments)
3-4 Units Health/Physical Education
3-5 Units Math Competency
HUMAN SERVICES GENERALISTS OPTION (3-Year Plan)
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
COURSES UNITS
First Semester
Psychology 1..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 43................................................................................... 3
*Physical Education
Second Semester
Psychology 14................................................................................... 3
Psychology 41................................................................................... 3
Psychology 81................................................................................... 3
*Humanities Requirement
Third Semester
Psychology 13................................................................................... 3
*Science Requirement
Fourth Semester
Psychology 3..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 82................................................................................... 3
*American Institutions Requirement
Fifth Semester
Psychology 44................................................................................... 3
Psychology 83................................................................................... 3
Sixth Semester
Psychology 2..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 45................................................................................... 3
Total Units...................................................................................... 36
* American Institutions Requirement Elective
Students must meet the mathematics competency requirements for the Associate of Arts degree.
Recommended electives: Psychology 64, Family & Consumer Studies 21, Philosophy 6 or 8, Law 3,
Child Development 42.
To complete general education requirements in this area of study, Plan B for the AA/AS Degree is required.
PLAN B: Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog "Graduation Requirements" section. Plan B is not designed for transfer to a four-year college.
3 Units English Composition
3 Units Communication/Analytical Thinking
3 Units Natural Sciences
3 Units Humanities
3 Units Social/Behavioral Sciences (including American History & Governments)
3-4 Units Health/Physical Education
3-5 Units Math Competency
DRUG/ALCOHOL STUDIES OPTION)** (2-Year Plan)
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
COURSES UNITS
First Semester
Psychology 1..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 43................................................................................... 3
Psychology 64................................................................................... 3
Second Semester
Psychology 14................................................................................... 3
Psychology 44................................................................................... 3
Psychology 65................................................................................... 3
Psychology 84................................................................................... 3
*Humanities Requirement
Third Semester
Psychology 3..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 67................................................................................... 3
Psychology 85................................................................................... 3
*American Institutions Requirement
Fourth Semester
Psychology 2..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 45................................................................................... 3
Psychology 63................................................................................... 3
Psychology 86................................................................................... 3
*Physical Education
Total Units...................................................................................... 42
* American Institutions Requirement Elective
Students must meet the mathematics competency requirements for the Associate of Arts degree.
Recommended electives: Psychology 64, Family & Consumer Studies 21, Philosophy 6 or 8, Law 3,
Child Development 42.To complete general education requirements in this area of study, Plan B for the AA/AS Degree is required.
PLAN B: Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog "Graduation Requirements" section. Plan B is not designed for transfer to a four-year college.
3 Units English Composition
3 Units Communication/Analytical Thinking
3 Units Natural Sciences
3 Units Humanities
3 Units Social/Behavioral Sciences (including American History & Governments)
3-4 Units Health/Physical Education
3-5 Units Math Competency
DRUG/ALCOHOL STUDIES OPTION (3-Year Plan)
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
COURSES UNITS
First Semester
Psychology 1..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 43................................................................................... 3
Psychology 64................................................................................... 3
Second Semester
Psychology 65................................................................................... 3
Psychology 84................................................................................... 3
Third Semester
Psychology 14................................................................................... 3
Psychology 85................................................................................... 3
Psychology 67................................................................................... 3
*Humanities Requirement
Fourth Semester
Psychology 44................................................................................... 3
Psychology 63................................................................................... 3
Psychology 86................................................................................... 3
Fifth Semester
Psychology 2..................................................................................... 3
Psychology 3..................................................................................... 3
*American Institutions Requirement................................................. 3
Sixth Semester
Psychology 45................................................................................... 3
*Physical Education
Total Units...................................................................................... 45
* See notes under Two Year Course Plan above.
** This curriculum is accredited by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators and meets the educational requirements for certification by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors.
To complete general education requirements in this area of study, Plan B for the AA/AS Degree is required.
PLAN B: Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog "Graduation Requirements" section. Plan B is not designed for transfer to a four-year college.
3 Units English Composition
3 Units Communication/Analytical Thinking
3 Units Natural Sciences
3 Units Humanities
3 Units Social/Behavioral Sciences (including American History & Governments)
3-4 Units Health/Physical Education
3-5 Units Math Competency