The human and social service program prepares students for employment as paraprofessionals in the field of social work. Career opportunities are in a wide range of human and social services.

The human and social service field is concerned with those services and occupations that provide for meeting the diverse needs of individuals and/or families for a more satisfying, self-sufficient way of life. Social services personnel must be knowledgeable about and sensitive to the unique needs and cultural diversity of people of all ages and socioeconomic circumstances. Students participate in a supervised practicum as well as classroom instruction to help develop and enhance professional skills.

All students in the HSST program are required to undergo a criminal bacdground check. Criminal background checks may prevent placements, program completion and potential employment in the field.

Suggested Course Sequence

For course descriptions visit here.

First Semester		Credit Hours
SWK121	Introduction to Social Welfare	3
SWK131	Exploring the Human and Social Service Profession	1
ENG124	College Composition †	3
SOC123	Dynamics of the Family	3
COM121	Effective Speaking	3
BCA120	Business Computer Applications	4
		17
Second Semester
SWK124	Methods in Practice I	3
SWK224	Poverty in the U.S.	3
PSY121	General Psychology	3
SOC225	Cultural Diversity	3
BIO127	Human Biology	4
	Elective*	3
		19
Third Semester
SWK130	Methods in Practice II	3
SWK126	Human Behavior and the Social Environment	3
MTH222	Statistics	3
SWK125	Substance Abuse	3
SWK225	Victimization and Crisis Intervention	3
PSC121	Political Science	3
		18
Fourth Semester
BUS122	Basic Economics	3
SWK231	HSST Social Service Practicum/Seminar	3
SWK128/SOC125	Introduction to Gerontology **	3
SWK127/PSY127	Group Processes **	3
	Elective *	3
		15
	TOTAL CREDITS	69

† Based on SSC placement score
* Select from SWK223, SWK129/SOC126, SWK230/SOC227, SOC121, SOC124,
SOC221, SOC222, PSY122, PSY123, PSY124, PSY125, PSY221. Students who successfully complete SWK129 and SWK230 as their technical electives, or in addition to their 0s, may apply for the gerontology option and/or certificate of competency.
** Cross-listed course; HSST majors should register for the SWK version

Note: Grade of “C” or better required for all courses relating to the gerontology option certificate of competence