Human Services
15 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
HUSR 111 Human Services in Contemporary Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an introduction to the history and philosophy of human services in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on the function and objectives of human services organizations as well as the qualifications of human services professionals. A survey of the populations served in the field focuses on cultural, social, economic, and historical trends. The course is designed for students pursuing careers in human services, social work, counseling, or community organizing.
HUSR 118 Chemical Dependency: Intervention, Treatment & Recovery
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ADS 150X
This course provides an introduction to current perspectives with respect to the management of chemical dependency. Through an examination of alcoholism as a model of drug dependence, the treatment of and recovery from such disorders will be explored from two divergent perspectives: the reformative and the transformative. Current treatment modalities will be compared and contrasted in terms of their view of the individual in both the social and clinical context. The class experience itself will serve as an intervention by challenging students to examine their existing ideas about treatment and recovery from substance use disorders. This course is suitable for students interested in furthering their understanding of substance dependence and those interested in working with populations recovering from or at risk for such problems.
HUSR 120 Introduction to Rehabilitation Services
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the field of rehabilitation services. The course presents an orientation to federal/state and private rehabilitation/community agencies, which are involved in facilitating the rehabilitation and treatment processes of individuals. An historical, philosophical, and social overview of rehabilitation counseling is provided, as is coverage of the private/state agencies and community support that assist people with disabilities. A wide variety of different issues related to the professions of rehabilitation is discussed in detail. In the course, students learn to analyze the personal, social, and vocational implications of a disability in an individual's life and in their participation in a community.
HUSR 122 Introduction to Group Leadership and Process
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ADS 130X
This course provides an introduction to the dynamics of group interaction, where an individual's firsthand experience is emphasized as the group studies itself under supervision. The factors involved in problems of communication, effective emotional responses, and personal growth are highlighted, and group process is examined as a means of changing behavior. This course is suitable for students interested in furthering their understanding of group dynamics and those interested in supervising groups dedicated to achieving behavioral change.
HUSR 123 Drug Education and Prevention
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed for students interested in furthering their understanding of substance dependence and those interested in working with populations recovering from or at risk for such problems. It addresses the history, theories, models, and approaches to substance abuse education and prevention. In addition to an academic look at drug abuse, students also explore and examine their own values and beliefs about substance use and misuse. The impact of public policy, the media, and drug education programs on drug use are additional topics that are considered.
HUSR 124 Introduction to Case Management and Documentation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ADS 170X
This course introduces students to case management and documentation in a variety of settings. In the course, students study the purpose, function, and rationale for case management. In addition, the documentation of client clinical records is covered, with emphasis placed on taking social histories and writing treatment plans. Additionally, the professional guidelines necessary for working with clients in social services settings are covered, providing students with an understanding of issues related to ethics, client rights, and confidentiality. This class is designed for students interested in working in social services settings.
HUSR 126 Counseling the Family of the Addicted Person
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ADS 180X
This course provides an overview of the systems approach to counseling the chemically dependent family. Alcoholism is used as a model for developing counseling skills through the analysis and examination of the relationships that develop in the addicted family system. An experiential format is employed as students participate in exercises that lead to the development of necessary skills. This course is designed for students working with or preparing to work with drug-dependent individuals and the people around them.
HUSR 128 Chemical Dependency and Co-Occurring Disorders
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course explores understanding mental illness and persons with more than one mental/psychiatric disorder. In the course, students are introduced to various disorders in infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, as well as co-existing disorders, and the various diagnosis and treatment techniques used to treat this unique population. Students also tour two different types of mental health facilities to provide an additional understanding of mental health issues.
HUSR 130 Essential Counseling Skills
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ADS 120X
This course focuses on critical counseling skills and strategies within a multicultural context. The course provides a vital orientation to the helping process and the counseling profession. Current issues within the counseling profession, such as diversity and multiculturalism, are discussed and integrated throughout the course. A unique focus is given to the students' growth and development as counselors, and how they can use supervision best in this developmental process; as such, the course would be beneficial to anyone working in human services or social services settings.
HUSR 135 Law and Ethics in Human Services
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers topics that include the applicable laws and ethics relating to case manager/client professional relationships in inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. Laws relating to confidentiality, patient rights, assessments, sharing of personal information, mandatory reporting, and crisis intervention requirements are presented. Dealing with issues such as duty to warn, evaluating a person's potential for suicide, child and elder abuse, and when individuals pose a serious potential of harm to others are also addressed. This is a core course for drug studies majors who are pursuing a certificate or degree.
HUSR 136 Diverse Populations in Human Services
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course examines cultural and social influences including age, ethnicity, gender, legal status, physical and psychological disability, race, religion, sexual identity, and socioeconomic status on the use of alcohol and controlled substances, as well as access to treatment for associated problems. The attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to provide a competent assessment of and treatment for those who are often disadvantaged or removed from conventional society are explored. This course is designed to further understanding of these diverse populations in relation to addiction, co-occurring disorders, recovery, and rehabilitation. This is a core course for drug studies majors who are pursuing a certificate or a degree.
HUSR 199A Seminar in Human Services
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- HUSR 111, PSYC C1000 or SOCI C1000
- Corequisite
- HUSR 199B
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a corequisite with Work Experience Education/Internship in Human Services-Related Fields (HUSR 199B), providing the academic element to the experiential course offering and reinforcing the application of concepts learned in prerequisite courses. Together, HUSR 199A and HUSR 199B provide supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution, allowing students to apply knowledge and learn new skills outside the classroom environment.
HUSR 199B Work Experience Education/Internship in Human Services-Related Fields
- Units
- 2-3
- Hours
- 108-162 Lab
- Prerequisite
- HUSR 111, PSYC C1000 or SOCI C1000
- Corequisite
- HUSR 199A
- Transfers to
- CSU
The corequisite courses HUSR 199A and 199B provide students with a supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution, allowing the student to apply knowledge and learn new skills outside of the classroom environment. In this course students take the theories and principles learned in the classroom and apply them to their work in a field setting. This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the human services field.
HUSR 230A Drug Studies Seminar
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- HUSR 122, HUSR 124, HUSR 130
- Corequisite
- HUSR 230B
- Transfers to
- CSU
The corequisite courses, HUSR 230A and 230B, are designed be taken in the final semester of the Drug Studies Program and provide students with work experience in a drug treatment facility. This seminar course is a companion to the internship experience and focuses on ethics, the further development of counseling skills, and the use of community resources. Concurrent enrollment in Human Services 230B is required.
HUSR 230B Work Experience Education/Internship for Drug Studies-Related Fields
- Units
- 2-3
- Hours
- 108-162 Lab
- Prerequisite
- HUSR 122, HUSR 124, HUSR 130
- Corequisite
- HUSR 230A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Co-requisite with HUSR 230A, this course is designed to be taken in the final semester of the Drug Studies Program, and provides students with work experience in a drug treatment facility. Through their internship work, students apply the concepts and skills gained through their coursework as they intern in a setting where drug dependent individuals are served. Students must meet the requirements of the internship facility. Concurrent enrollment in HUSR 230A is required.