Human Services

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

• Social Work and Human Services

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

• Community-Based Corrections

Friday, September 27th from 4 - 5:30 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)

^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.

Students assigned to clinical rotations must meet the health requirements mandated by the clinical facilities. The following health requirements must be completed and maintained throughout the clinical rotation:

1. Tuberculosis (TB) test
   1. A TB test checks for exposure to tuberculosis, a contagious lung infection, to ensure you’re safe to work in a healthcare setting
   2. A skin TB test is required for Human Services. This requires two appointments, one to administer the test, and one 48 hours later to “read” the results. 
   3. If you do not have proof of a TB test, you can obtain one at the Saddleback Health Center.
2. COVID-19 Vaccination
   1. Either a 25-26 Covid booster or a two/three series Covid vaccination will qualify to be within compliance. A medical professional at the Health Center must review. 
   2. You can get a Covid vaccination at the Saddleback Health Center. 
3. Program Clearence Form
   1. This is a form filled out by a healthcare professional to certify that your TB test and Covid Vaccination documents are accurate and up to date. You may use your personal healthcare provider, or you can use the Saddleback Health Center. 
   2. If you choose to use the Saddleback Health center, you will make an in person or virtual appointment. You will bring in your documents to your appointment, or get the TB test and Covid vaccination at the appointment. If you choose to do a virtual appointment, you must have the documents to send electronically during the appointment. 
4. Professional Liability Insurance
   1. Professional liability insurance protects you in case of legal claims related to your work, ensuring you’re covered for any errors or accidents during your clinical experience
5. FERPA Release Form
   1. A FERPA Release Form allows the college to share specific educational records with your clinical site. This form respects your privacy while allowing essential information to be shared for your placement.
6. Proof of Alcohol and Drug registration with a certifying organization (A/D certificate students only)
   1. ]Documentation verifying that an individual is registered with a recognized organization for certification in alcohol and drug counseling.

Students who do not meet the health requirements established by the clinical facilities may not be permitted to attend clinical rotations. Failure to complete the required clinical hours may result in an inability to successfully complete the course. It is the student's responsibility to ensure all health requirements are met by the deadlines provided.

For any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, students should contact the Program Office as soon as possible.

*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

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.

Clinical Compliance HS Requirements

Download the HS Onboarding Packet

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.