Elder Care Human Services - Major #7634

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


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.

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 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. 2. Illustrate the importance of culture in the functioning of and service provision to an elder client.
  3. 3. Analyze challenges encountered by elder care human services providers, including Internal and External barriers.
  4. 4. Identify and distinguish social services, health care, legal, and financial services providers available to the elderly.
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester

Term 1

12 units

HS 10
Introduction to Aging Studies

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
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. J: Sociology & Criminology
  1. D10 - Sociology and Criminology
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  2. E2 - Lifetime Skills

HS 20
Introduction to Social Welfare

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
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 Course
    1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

    HS 24
    Fundamentals of Interviewing and Counseling

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    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)

    HS 44
    Drug Use: Physical and Psychological Effects

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    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 Course
      1. E2 - Lifetime Skills

      Term 2

      6 units

      HS 9
      Social Work and Human Services Seminar

      1 unit
      Effective Term: 2023 Spring Semester
      This course provides the student who is participating in their supervised field experience directly related to Social Work and Human Services with a weekly class meeting that provides the academic element to the experiential course offering. The goal for this course is to provide the student with an opportunity to develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the field 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)

      HS 11
      Elder Care Human Services

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      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)

      HS 19F
      Social Work and Human Services Fieldwork

      2 units
      Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester
      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)
      Total: 18 units