# Community Social Services/Substance Abuse (Certificate of Achievement)

Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Community Social Service

Source: https://mc.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/48441/48769/49120/49121/49131/49314/49316

##### Program Description

The Community Social Services program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level professional positions in the social services, as well as some of the other human services. The Substance Abuse program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients. Both programs also prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, offer further training for persons already employed, or provide students the opportunity to explore for vocational choice. The Substance Abuse program requirements comply with CAADE (California Association on Alcohol and Drug Education) guidelines.

##### Career Opportunities

The Substance Abuse program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients. Positions include Community and Social Service Specialists, Community Health Workers, Social and Human Service Assistants, Substance Use Disorder Counselors, Peer Support Specialists, Case Managers and Prevention Counselors.

##### Learning Outcome(s)

1.  Apply knowledge of mental health/human service trends, issues and regulations to inpatient, outpatient and other programs within the human services delivery system.
2.  Display appropriate communication and interpersonal skills through active listening, sensitivity and effective responses to both verbal and non-verbal behavior
3.  Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior (e.g. timeliness) and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, and cultural diversity.
4.  Establish rapport with clients, gather information about the conditions that bring clients in for a service, and refer clients to appropriate resources.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required Courses:** | | 48 |
| COSER 10 | Community Resources and Social Policy | 3 |
| COSER 16B | Communication: Families in Crisis | 3 |
| COSER 20 | Group Dynamics: Working with Small Groups | 3 |
| COSER 21 | Psychology/Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse | 3 |
| COSER 22 | Social Psychology of Substance/Drug Abuse | 3 |
| COSER 25 | Maintaining Sobriety and Relapse Prevention | 3 |
| COSER 26 | Case Management for Substance Abuse Paraprofessionals | 3 |
| COSER 27 | Crisis Management for Substance Abuse | 3 |
| COSER 28 | Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental Illness and Drug Abuse | 3 |
| COSER 29 | Working with Diverse Populations | 3 |
| COSER 41 | Substance Abuse and the Law | 3 |
| COSER 42 | Counseling Skills and Substance Abuse | 3 |
| COSER 476C | Work Experience in Community Social Services/Substance Abuse | 9 |
| HLTED 1 | Exploring Health Issues | 3 |
| **Recommended Course:** | |  |
| LRNRE 211 | Computer Access | 3 |