The Human Services program offers three areas of study for people looking for a career in the helping professions. The curricula meets the needs of career-oriented students seeking a certificate in Alcohol & Drug Studies,  Human Services Generalist, or Mental Health Worker. In addition, students may continue on and complete an Associates of Science degree in one of these three educational areas. Our programs serve as an introduction to social work, social welfare, criminal justice, counseling, mental health, alcohol & drug counseling, and other helping professions for students planning advanced degrees in these fields. Coursework includes participation in internships or Cooperative Work Experience at various facilities. We also offer an Occupational Skills Award in Eating Disorders and Community-Based Corrections. This skills award may be obtained on its own or in addition to any of our certificate programs.

The mission of the Human Services program is to provide quality education for knowledge acquisition and skill development in the areas of assessment, intervention, treatment, advocacy, and support, on behalf of individuals seeking human services.

Our Alcohol and Drug Studies Program is accredited by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE).

Degrees and Certificates

Human Services Program Requirements and Road Maps

Alcohol & Drug Studies Certificate of Achievement - 40 Units
Course Title Units
  Year 1 - Fall  
HS 100* Intro to Human Services 3
HS 170*  Alcohol & Drugs in Society 3
HS 176 Co-Occurring Disorders 3
HS 101 Addiction Studies/ Counseling 3
HS 105* Ethical Issues and Clients' Rights 3
  Year 1 - Spring  
HS 131* Multicultural Diversity in the US 3
HS 140*  Group Leadership and Group Process 3
HS 174 Case Administration, Crisis Intervention and Referral 3
HS 177 Family Dynamics of Addiction and Abuse 3
  Year 2 - Fall   
HS 110 Field Instruction and Seminar 1
Prerequisite: Five HS Core Courses
3.5
HS 172 Physiological Effects and Pharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs 3
  Year 2 - Spring  
HS 150 Field Instruction and Seminar 2
Prerequisite: HS 110 Field Instruction and Seminar 1
3.5
HS ### Restricted Elective 3
  Required: Select One Restricted Elective  
HS 112 Conflict Resolution and Mediation 3
HS 120 Human Development in the Social Environment 3
HS 128 Community Based Corrections 3
HS 171 Substance Abuse Intervention 3
HS 220 Benefits & Entitlements 3

*Prerequisites (Human Services [HS] core courses) to HS 110 Fieldwork and Seminar
HS Core Courses: HS 100, HS 105, HS 131 (effective Fall 2022), HS 140, HS 170

Human Services Generalist Certificate of Achievement - 37 Units
Course Title Unit
  Year 1- Fall  
HS 100* Introduction to Human Services 3
HS 120 Human Development in the Social Environment 3
HS 170* Alcohol and Other Drugs in Our Society 3
HS 105* Ethical Issues and Clients' Rights 3
  Year 1 - Spring  
HS 131* Multicultural and Diverse Populations in the US 3
HS 140* Group Leadership and Group Process 3
HS 174 Case Administration, Crisis Intervention and Referral 3
HS 177 Family Dynamics of Addiction and Abuse 3
  Year 2 - Fall  
HS 110 Field Instruction and Seminar 1
Prerequisites: Five HS Core Classes
3.5
HS 176 Co-Occurring Disorders 3
  Year 2 - Spring  
HS 150 Field Instruction and Seminar 2 3.5
HS ### Restricted Elective  
  Required: Select One Restricted Elective  
HS 171 Substance Abuse Intervention 3
HS 172 Physiological Effects and Pharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs 3
HS 101 Addiction Studies and Counseling 3
HS 112 Conflict Resolution and Mediation 3
HS 187 Juvenile Violence, Gangs, and Victims 3
HS 220 Benefits and Entitlement 3
PSYC 25 Psychology of Aging 3
SOC 1, 2, 10, or 20   3

*Prerequisites (Human Services [HS] core courses) to HS 110 Fieldwork and Seminar
HS Core Courses: HS 100, HS 105, HS 131 (effective Fall 2022), HS 140, HS 170

Mental Health Worker Certificate of Achievement - 29 Units
Course Title Units
  Year 1 - Fall   
HS 100* Introduction to Human Services 3
HS 120* Human Development in the Social Environment 3
HS 140* Group Leadership and Group Process 3
HS 176 Co-Occurring Disorders 3
HS 105 Ethical Issue and Clients' Rights 3
  Year 1 - Spring  
HS 131 Multicultural and Diverse Populations in the US 3
HS 174 Case Administration, Crisis Intervention and Referral 3
HS 177 Family Dynamics of Addiction and Abuse 3
HS 220 Benefits and Entitlement 3
  Year 1 - Summer  
CWE 180 MHW Cooperative Work Experience  2

*Prerequisites (Human Services [HS] core courses) to HS 110 Fieldwork and Seminar
HS Core Courses: HS 100, HS 105, HS 131 (effective Fall 2022), HS 140, HS 170

Community-Based Corrections Occupational Skills Award - 12 Units
Course Title Units
HS 37 Introduction to Criminology 3
HS 187 Juvenile Violence 3
HS 119 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
HS 128 Community Based Corrections 3
Eating Disorders Studies Occupation Skills Award - 9 Units
Course Title Units
HS 181 Introduction to Eating Disorders 3
HS 184 Medical Asp. Eating Disorders 3
HS 185 The Background and Treatment of Eating Disorders 3

Students will be required to submit a current TB test and COVID-19 vaccine and booster to the student health center for official clearance prior to registering for HS 110 and HS 150 (Fieldwork and Seminar course). Some fieldwork sites may require a background/drug test, physical and health clearance, obtain professional liability insurance, hold a valid CPR card through the American Heart Association (no other providers), and proof of medical health insurance.

HS 110 and HS 150 courses are reserved only for students ready to enter their fieldwork and students will not be cleared to register until all of the requirements have been completed. Contact Chelsey Tyson at ctyson@saddleback.edu with any questions.

Contact the Human Services Department