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Social Work and Human Services

Social Work and Human Services

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts Degree

Social Work and Human Services for Transfer

Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for a social work and human services degree, an emphasis or option within a social work and human services degree, or a degree considered similar to social work and human services at a participating California State University (CSU) campus.

Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor’s degree; however, some CSU campuses may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as a social work and human services major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.

To complete the degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  • Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
  • Complete the CSU-GE (Plan B) or IGETC (Plan C)* general education pattern.
  • Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.

* Students completing IGETC may be awarded the degree, but they must complete a course from Area IC: Oral Communication to meet CSU admission requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

Upon completion of this program, students will be:

  • prepared for entry-level positions in the field of social work.
  • able to analyze the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in social work.
  • Identify and implement industry-recognized effective practices for human service delivery in culturally-relevant and culturally-sustaining ways.
Required courses: 
SWHS 110Introduction to Social Work and Human Services3
SWHS 120ASocial Work and Human Services Seminar1
SWHS 120BSocial Work and Human Services Fieldwork2
BIO 103Introductory Biology: Animal Diversity *3
or BIO 111 Introductory Biology: Preparation for Pre-Health Professions (Lecture)
ECON 101Principles of Economics: MACRO *3
or ECON 102 Principles of Economics: MICRO
PSYC 101General Psychology *3
or PSYC 101H General Psychology (Honors)
SOC 125Introduction to Statistics in Sociology *4
or PSYC 104 Statistics for Behavioral Science
or PSYC 104H Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors)
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology *3
or SOC 101H Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
List A: Select two courses.6
Introduction to the Administration of Justice *
Introduction to the Administration of Justice (Honors)
Cultural Anthropology *
Cultural Anthropology (Honors)
Child and Adolescent Growth and Development *
Child, Family, and Community *
Intercultural Communication *
Human Development *
Human Development (Honors)
Contemporary Social Problems *
Race and Ethnic Relations *
Race and Ethnic Relations
Total Units28
*

Course satisfies a general education requirement on the CSU-GE or IGETC general education (GE) pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a GE requirement. Note: Every course on this degree except SWHS 110 and SWHS 120 satisfies a GE requirement.

NOTE: Students are strongly advised to select courses that meet lower-division major preparation requirements at their transfer university and to complete the History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement prior to transfer. 

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage at https://www.miracosta.edu/governance/courses-and-programs-committee/curriculum-management-system.html.

Courses

SWHS 110: Introduction to Social Work and Human Services

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces the profession of social work and the field of social welfare through historical and contemporary lenses. It includes an overview of U.S. societal institutions that structure the provision of social services. The course emphasizes current service delivery systems, social welfare policies and procedures, contemporary social problems, and culturally responsive professional skills of social workers and human service workers within social welfare institutions and programs.

SWHS 120A: Social Work and Human Services Seminar

Units: 1
Prerequisites: SWHS 110
Corequisite: SWHS 120B
Enrollment Limitation: Concurrent enrollment in SWHS 110 if prerequisite not met and not open to students with prior credit in SWHS 120.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This course provides students who are participating in a supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution with a weekly class meeting that provides the academic element to the experiential course offering. The course emphasizes the application of concepts gained in the prerequisite or corequisite course to the field experience. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the human services field.

SWHS 120B: Social Work and Human Services Fieldwork

Units: 2
Prerequisites: SWHS 110
Corequisite: SWHS 120A
Enrollment Limitation: Concurrent enrollment in SWHS 110 if prerequisite not met and not open to students with prior credit in SWHS 120.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 6 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This course offers students a supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution, allowing them to apply knowledge and learn new skills outside of the classroom environment. The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to observe, practice, and develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the human services field.

Campus Locations

MiraCosta Community Learning Center

1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92058
760.795.8710
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Oceanside Campus Building

1 Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
760.757.2121
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta San Elijo Campus

3333 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.944.4449
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Technology Career Institute Building

2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.795.6820
888.201.8480
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