Human Services

• Alcohol and Drug Studies
• Human Services Generalist
• Mental Health Worker

• Alcohol and Drug Studies
• Human Services Generalist
• Mental Health Worker

• Community-Based Corrections
• Eating Disorders

*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

*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

*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

Students will be required to submit a current TB test and proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the student health center for official clearance prior to registering for HS 110 and again for HS 150 - Fieldwork and Seminar course. An appointment must be made with the Student Health Center to submit paperwork. Additionally, students need to apply for professional liability insurance via HPSO ($27.00) and provide evidence of personal medical health insurance. More information on these requirements will be reviewed during the mandatory Fieldwork and Seminar Orientation Session.

Some fieldwork sites may require a background check, drug test, physical and health clearance, and/or holding a valid CPR card through the American Heart Association (no other providers).
To be eligible for HS 110 and HS 150, students must have successfully completed all Human Services core courses (HS 100, HS 105, HS 131, HS 140, HS 170) with a minimum grade of “C” or higher. HS 110 and 150 are exclusively available to students prepared for their fieldwork. An APC (Add Placement Code) for registration will only be issued once all requirements are fulfilled, completed application is submitted, and a letter of confirmation of acceptance has been received. Students must complete Field Work at a Saddleback College approved affiliate site.

For any inquiries, please feel free to contact the program specialist, Chelsey Tyson, at ctyson@saddleback.edu.

*All mandatory meetings will be from 2 - 4 p.m. in room HS 105.

^If all requirements are not met by the deadline, you will not be permitted to enroll in HS 110 and must wait until the following semester.

Check website frequently - times and dates subject to change.

Thursday, September 28, 2:30 - 4 p.m. in HS 145.

Join us to learn about all our program has to offer!

• Certificate Options - Alcohol and Drug Studies, Human Service Generalist, and Mental Health Worker (MHW).
• Information about the fieldwork and Cooperative Work Experience (MHW).
• Different volunteer and employment opportunities, pursuing higher education, and more!

All are welcome!

View the Video 12th Annual HS Information Session (2023)

Saddleback College's HS program is a lower division course of study for students who want an Associate’s Degree, Certificate of Achievement, and/or plan to transfer to a 4-year college or university. The HS program serves as an introduction to careers in social work, criminal justice, community-based corrections, counseling, public health and other helping professions. Associated roles include, but are not limited to: mentoring, advocacy, counseling, case management, and house manager. 

Certificates

• Alcohol and Drug Studies (40 units) - 2 years/4 semesters; $2092.00
• Human Service Generalist (37 units) - 2 years/4 semesters; $1954.00
• Mental Health Worker (29 units) - 1.5 years/3 semesters; $1523.00

NOTE: Costs based off tuition from FA ’23 and includes parking and health fees.

Occupational Skills Awards (OSA)

• Community-Based Corrections (12 units)
• Eating Disorders Studies (9 units)

Core Course for all Certificates

• HS 100 Introduction to Human Services
• HS 105 Ethical Issues and Clients’ Rights
• HS 131 Multicultural and Diverse Populations in the United States
• HS 140 Group Leadership and Group Process
• HS 170 Alcohol and Other Drugs in Society

NOTE: All five of the core course a required before enrolling in HS 110

Class Sequence

Not all classes are offered both semesters, thus we encouraged students to follow the order laid out in each program’s roadmap.

Internship Info

Enrolled students are provided with a list of approved internship sites. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule interviews at sites of interest and have a professional resume for submission during the interview process.

Internship and Recovery

Most internship sites require a specific minimum period of recovery – usually one year.

Internship and Probation

Most internship sites require interns to be without any history of probation/parole OR be off parole or probation for a specified amount of time.

Accreditation

The Human Services Drug and Alcohol Studies Program is accredited by the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)

Transfer Possibilities

• CSULB - B.A. in Social Work, 
• CSUF - B.S. in Human Services
• CSUF - B.S. in Criminal Justice
• UCI - B.A. in Psychology, Sociology,  Social Ecology, 
• and many others!

The Human Services Field Instruction provides students with an opportunity to integrate the theoretical and conceptual content of Human Services courses with practical experiences in the field.  The fieldwork experience provides exposure to Human Services clients, professionals, and the Human Services delivery systems. The Seminar provides an opportunity to process the Fieldwork experience with your Field Instructor and your peers. Students will receive support and instruction to strengthen their individual and professional goals and performance in the field.

Required Coursework

The completion of the Human Services core courses are the prerequisites for application to the HS 110 Fieldwork and Seminar I course. Core courses: HS 100, HS 105, HS 131, HS 140 and HS 170

Fieldwork and Seminar required hours:

• Weekly Seminar Hours: 1 hour & 20 minutes
• Requirement of Field Experience hours for Alcohol and Drug Studies: 125 (HS 110) and 130 (HS 150)
• Requirement of Field Experience hours for Generalist: 100 (HS 110) and 100 (HS 150)

CAADE/ACCBC certification requires a minimum completion of 250 academic-related field experience hours.

The Human Services' Alcohol and Drug Studies Program is accredited by the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE). Per the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), all students interning in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Certificate program must be registered with a State-approved certifying organization to participate in the internship program. Visit the DHCS website for information regarding registration requirements for Alcohol and Drug Studies interns. Per DHCS Regulations, upon registration as an addiction treatment counselor the 5-year time limit begins within which time you must become certified. It is therefore recommended that you do not register until you have secured a site where you will volunteer, work as an employee or intern.

Academic Work Requirements

Required academic study and work requirements for seminar courses are 2-3 hours/week for each unit. HS 110 and HS 150 are each 3.5 units. Therefore, plan on 7-10 hours of assignments and preparation each week in addition to the field site hours. The following are examples of some required assignments. 

• Weekly field experience logs
• Weekly seminar assignments and attendance
• Individualized Learning Plan
• Independent Study Project
• Agency Presentation

Applying to the Fieldwork and Seminar course

Attend the Fieldwork and Seminar Orientation. Dates, time, and location will be updated and added the HS program website. Complete the Field Instruction and Seminar Application using the provided application link. Link will go live after the orientation.

Fieldwork Sites

All Field Experiences must be completed at a site that has a current Agreement with the South Orange County Community College District. A current list of approved sites will be provided to registered students. Students may contact sites to request an interview for placement only after registration in the course, which requires the submission of an application and an Add Permit Code (APC).

Fieldwork Site Requirements

Each site may have its own requirements or desired intern qualifications/limitations. Some examples are:

• Interview for the position, complete a "job" application, and submit a current resume.
• Completion of specific courses/training requirements/workshops.
• Be without any history of probation/parole OR be off parole or probation for a specified amount of time.
• If in recovery, have a specified minimum period of recovery – usually one year.
• Submission of a urinalysis, Background check or Live Scan, CPR, First Aid, and TB clearance may be required at certain sites.

Obtaining a Fieldwork Site

Enrolled students will be provided with a list of approved internship sites. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule interviews at sites of interest and have a professional resume for submission during the interview process. Resources for resume preparation are available through the Saddleback College Student Employment Resources. The following link has resume-writing resources. Go to Saddleback Career Placement Services and contact Eric Hilden. Enrolled students are encouraged to begin the site selection process as soon as possible prior to the start of the semester. Sites requiring background checks can take up to 4 or more weeks for final approval. 

Beginning Fieldwork Hours

Students may begin internship hours ONLY after the start of the semester with the completion and submission of requisite forms and the receipt of the Student Site Confirmation Letter from the college field instructor. Internship hours may NOT commence prior to the start of the semester and without the approval of the fieldwork instructor.

Evening, Weekend, and Holiday Fieldwork hours

If the site provides the appropriate supervision for the internship experience during those days/hours and the student has the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning activities, the student may intern on nights and weekends. The only holidays the student may not intern or those recognized by the college and the college is closed. 

Minimum and Maximum Number of Weekly Internship Hours

Students must complete a minimum of 8-hours per week and may NOT exceed 17-internship hours per 
week.* Deviation from the stated hours requires prior approval by the field instructor. *Flexibility during the pandemic.

Completing an Internship if on Probation/Parole

Many sites do not provide internships for students who are currently on probation or parole. Students in this situation are encouraged to complete all their certificate coursework while awaiting discharge from probation/parole and discuss your circumstances with one of the Field Instructors prior to applying for the Fieldwork program.

Establishing a Site Not Already on the Approved List

Establishment of a new site requires a process that is completed by the Field Instructors. If a student has knowledge of an agency that is interested in providing internship opportunities for Human Services students, provide your respective field instructor with the contact information of the agency of interest.