# Human Services (Certificate)

Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: School of Arts and Social Sciences

Source: https://catalog.mccd.edu/schools/programs/school-art-social-science/programs/human-services-ct

## **School of Arts and Social Sciences**

The Human Services Certificate program provides a basic academic background for the student seeking a career working with people in a variety of social settings. The program is based on a synthesis of knowledge from several social sciences, together with methodologies of intervention at the individual, group and community levels. The Human Service profession promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, coordination, and collaboration among professionals and agencies to attain the highest quality of life with the least amount of intervention.

Over a two year course of study students engage in a rich learning experience to explore theory, and acquire knowledge and skills in intervention, community organization, social welfare policy, and basic social work strategies. In addition, students are guided to a better understanding of self, and their abilities to make a difference in individuals, families and communities.

As a basic introductory program graduates may find entry level positions as advocates, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, fund-raisers or advocacy specialists for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, or other social issues. A significant number of graduates from this program are employed in agencies, federal, state and non-profit organizations, for profit enterprises, and a variety of societal settings.

A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon the satisfactory completion of the curriculum listed below.

## Program Student Learning Outcomes

A. Recognize community resources that facilitate the helping process, including the importance of advocating for community empowerment, participation, and change.

B. Explain the historical development and philosophical paradigms of the social work, social welfare, and human services systems.

C. Understand and identify the roles of a human services professional, emphasizing the Helping Process, basic helping skills, identifying behaviors of challenging clients, and the application of crisis intervention strategies.

## Program Requirements:

**Program Core: (31 Units)**

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HMSV-20 | Social Welfare and Social Work | 3 |
| HMSV-21 | Human Behavior and the Helping Process | 3 |
| HMSV-22 | Survey and Utilization of Community Resources | 3 |
| HMSV-24 | Work Experience in Human Services | 4 |
| HMSV-41 | Case management | 3 |
| HMSV-42 | Introduction to Counseling Skills | 3 |
| HMSV-43 | Ethics in Counseling | 3 |
| HMSV-44 | Leadership and Counseling in Groups | 3 |
| **Take 2 courses (6 Units) from the following:** | |  |
| ANTH-02 | Sociocultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH-10 | Southeast Asian Culture: Hmong | 3 |
| CRIM-33 | Family Violence | 3 |
| HIST-22 | History of African Americans | 3 |
| HIST-23 | Chicana/O American History and Culture | 3 |
| HLTH-15 | Drugs, Health, and Society | 3 |
| HUM-15 | Comparative Cultures | 3 |
| PSYC-C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PSYC-C1000H | Introduction to Psychology Honors | 3 |
| CLDV-09 | Human Development | 3 |
| or PSYC-09 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSYC-22 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSYC-23 | Personal and Social Adjustment | 3 |
| PSYC-40 | Drugs and Behavior | 3 |
| SOCI-C1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI-03 | Marriage and the Family | 3 |
| **Total** | | **31** |