Human Services: General
Associate in Science Human Services · Allan Hancock College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Award Type: Associate in Science
The associate degree program is for students preparing for or advancing their careers in social services. Students may go to work in a social services agency upon completing the associate degree, or they may use it as a foundation for further study. The general course of study offers future career flexibility because graduates are not committed to a specialty area (such as addiction studies).
The graduate of the Associate in Science in Human Services: General will:
- Possess knowledge and skills that will enable them to competently and ethically carry out the duties and responsibilities of jobs in the general human or social service field. The knowledge and skills that they will possess fall under the following three rubrics: (1) Interpersonal Helping Skills; (2) Ethics and Boundaries; and (3) Documentation.
- Interpersonal Helping Skills: Graduates will possess interpersonal skills required to engage empathically with clients, develop safe and trusting relationships with them, assess their strengths and problems, and recommend appropriate interventions and/or referrals. They will demonstrate the ability to manifest the core conditions of helping relationships, including empathy, nonpossessive warmth, genuineness and congruence. They will recognize the importance of the family and societal contexts in which their clients live and utilize this information in providing helping services.
- Ethics and Boundaries: Graduates will be familiar with a professional association’s code of ethics and demonstrate the ability to behave in accord with it. They will be able to define appropriate professional relationship boundaries and detect when these boundaries are crossed or violated. They will be able to maintain client confidentiality and know the conditions under which confidentiality must be broached. They will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of culturally competent practice.
- Documentation: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to create and maintain appropriate client documentation, including intake notes, service or treatment plans, progress notes, discharge notes and other documentation such as informed consent and release of information forms.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A major of 28 units is required for the degree. | ||
| Required core courses (22 units): | 22 | |
| FCS 131 | Life Management | 3 |
| HUSV 101 | Introduction to Human Services: Becoming a Helping Professional | 3 |
| HUSV 102 | Case Management Skills | 3 |
| HUSV 103 | Basic Counseling Skills | 3 |
| HUSV 121 | Human Services (General) Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| HUSV 106 | Family Systems, Addiction & Trauma | 3 |
| HUSV 108 | Crisis Intervention Skills | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 2 | |
| HUSV 120 | Human Services (General) Practicum | 2 |
| HUSV 170 | Concurrent Human Services Practicum | 2 |
| Plus a minimum of 6 units selected from the following: | 6 | |
| HUSV 104 | Group Dynamics | 3 |
| HUSV 107 | Serving Culturally Diverse Clients | 3 |
| HUSV 110 | Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Addiction | 3 |
| SOC 106 | Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Addiction | 3 |
| PSY 106 | Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Addiction | 3 |
| PSY 112 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSY 118 | Human Development - Lifespan | 3 |
| General Education | ||
| In addition to completing the program requirements, students are also required to complete general education courses. Students may follow the AHC GE or the Cal-GETC pathways to meet these requirements. Students intending to transfer to a four-year university should use the Cal-GETC GE pathway. To see what major courses and general education requirements you need to fulfill, visit your myHancock account and select the DegreeWorks button in the Academic Profile widget. For more information and guidance, and to receive a detailed education plan, make an appointment with an academic counselor. | ||
| Total | 28 | |