Social Work, Human Services & Counseling

The Social Work, Human Services, & Counseling Practices program prepares students for entry-level paraprofessional work opportunities, or for transfer to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, and counseling practices.

Students learn effective case management skills, group facilitation, and a general understanding of theories guiding practice. Students analyze ethical dilemmas and consider how ethics and values guide the decision-making process and service delivery, identify the role of the helper in advocacy for social justice with respect to all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, and how to deliver equitable services for all populations. Service-based learning opportunities, personal growth and professional development are provided.

The Behavioral Therapist Certificate of Achievement prepares students for various paraprofessional positions providing behavior analytic therapy and behavior analytic interventions. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work as entry-level employees in a variety of settings including agencies hiring behavioral therapists, behavior interventionists and ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) therapists.

Multicultural Counseling & Advocacy Resources provides training in the area of case management, conflict-resolution, counseling theories and techniques, community services, needs assessment, etc. Students will learn how to work with individuals, families and communities which are representative of diverse populations, including, but not limited to African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American clients.

Students will be able to transition into entry-level employment in multicultural counseling.

The Justice System Studies certificate provides a foundational understanding of how to implement social justice theory and advocacy techniques to respond to community needs. Students learn how to provide services to individuals and their families including, but not limited to, human trafficking survivors and perpetrators, youth in gangs, youth on probation, adults on parole, clients within residential treatment programs and within correctional facilities.

The Military Social Work Certificate equips students with an educational foundation of the principles, theories and practices on the career pathway of military social work. Studies touch upon the unique culture of military families, their resilience, and the challenges of military life, with an emphasis is on family studies and family psychology of serving veterans and active duty US Armed Forces; an understanding of trauma-focused counseling; mental health and substance abuse counseling; and public assistance and benefits.

The Employment Support Specialization program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to provide employment support for individuals with disabilities and their family members.

Students will be able to assist individuals in becoming employable and self-sufficient, to provide follow-up services to help individuals maintain employment, and to assist individuals with knowledge about employment benefits, eligibility requirements and available services and resources.

The Drug and Alcohol Studies program prepares students to build strong competencies in drug and alcohol addiction and to prepare for paraprofessional positions. Graduates develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be effective in the treatment of alcohol and other drug dependency and abuse in a variety of treatment settings. Graduates will be prepared to work as entry-level employees under the direct supervision of social workers and other human services professionals.

This certificate will overview direct provision of substance abuse specific services, provision of other support services, early detection, assessment, referral/linkage, mobilization of self-help, advocacy, community development, education, case management, and research. 

The Child Welfare and Family Studies Certificate of Achievement prepares students for various paraprofessional positions in child welfare, such as child care worker in a group home/residential setting social service intake specialist, social worker assistant or foster family intake worker. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work as entry-level employees in a variety of settings such as group homes, foster family agencies, adoption agencies, halfway houses, mental health and juvenile correctional facilities, and family, child and service agencies under the direct supervision of social workers and other human services professionals in public and non-profit social service agencies.