Elder Care Human Services - Major #7634 - Certificate of Achievement

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.
It is also important to discuss your transfer options with a counselor because each university will require specific courses.

The Certificate of Achievement in Elder Care Human Services is designed to prepare students for entry level work in social services settings with adults, aged 65 years and older or, with additional completed general education course work, to transfer as a junior to a baccalaureate degree program in Social Work. This Certificate is for a person who has a strong desire to provide human services to older adults. These introductory courses will give the student a good fundamental working knowledge of the social services system addressing the needs of older adults.

1. Apply Systems Theory, the Strengths Perspective, and National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics to determine the intertwined needs of an elder client and construct a case plan.

2. Illustrate the importance of culture in the functioning of and service provision to an elder client.

3. Analyze challenges encountered by elder care human services providers, including Internal and External barriers.

4. Identify and distinguish social services, health care, legal, and financial services providers available to the elderly.

Program Map

Term 1

12 units
HS 10
Introduction to Aging Studies
This course presents an overview of social, economic, biological and psychological aspects of aging. Course study includes exploration of challenges and strengths of aging people with emphasis on consumerism, housing, health, leisure time, family roles, retirement, widowhood and sexuality. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)

Course Details:

  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    1. CSU Transfer
      HS 20
      Introduction to Social Welfare
      This course is the introduction to the social, economic, political, historical and philosophical components important in the development of the US social welfare system and the social work profession. Instruction maintains an emphasis on the knowledge base, value systems, and specific fields of social work practice. (A, CSU, UC)

      Course Details:

      1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
        1. CSU Transfer
          HS 24
          Fundamentals of Interviewing and Counseling
          This course presents principles of interviewing and counseling, focusing on both theory and practice. Specific skills for use within a human service setting are taught. Along with the essential skill of analyzing the dynamics between counselor and client. (A, CSU)

          Course Details:

          1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
            1. CSU Transfer
              HS 44
              Drug Use: Physical and Psychological Effects
              This course teaches the physical and psychological aspects of drug use, including abuse and addiction, physical and psychological dependencies, physiological effects of commonly used drugs, and treatment and prevention. (It is not open to students with credit in Human Services 45.) (A, CSU)

              Course Details:

              1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                1. CSU Transfer

                  Term 2

                  6 units
                  HS 9
                  Social Work and Human Services Seminar
                  This course is taken in conjunction with the student's supervised field experience that is directly related to Social Work and Human Services professional practice. This class provides a weekly class meeting studying the course text and its application to the professional experiences the student has at the field site. The goal for this course is to provide the student with an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that would facilitate gaining employment in Human Services by learning interpersonal problem solving and communication skills; office dynamics and adapting to change; group interaction; collaborative learning activities; and application of the profession's code of ethics. (A, CSU)

                  Course Details:

                  1. Prerequisite: HS 20
                    2. AND
                  2. Prerequisite: HS 24
                  3. Corequisite: HS 19F
                    1. CSU Transfer
                      HS 11
                      Elder Care Human Services
                      This course provides instruction for the provision of human services to elders and their support systems. Course study emphasizes the application of social work theories and perspectives and integrative service provision for strengths based, empowerment outcomes with elder clients and their support systems. (A, CSU)

                      Course Details:

                      1. Prerequisite: HS 10
                      2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                        1. CSU Transfer
                          HS 19F
                          Social Work and Human Services Fieldwork
                          This course is the supervised field experience portion of human services. Students will be working in the field allowing the student to apply knowledge and learn new skills outside of the classroom environment. This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to serve, practice, and develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the human services field. (A, CSU)

                          Course Details:

                          1. Corequisite: HS 9
                          2. Prerequisite: HS 20
                            3. AND
                          3. Prerequisite: HS 24
                            1. CSU Transfer