HUMAN SERVICES PARAPROFESSIONAL (PENDING APPROVAL)
The Human Service Paraprofessional (HUS-P) program prepares students for employment in human service agencies (Social Services; Mental Health, Public Health and Community-Based Organizations). The Program provides students with the knowledge and skills to fulfill Human Service Paraprofessional duties and responsibilities in a competent and ethical manner, with an understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse populations which they will serve. Human Service Paraprofessionals are non-professional employees who provide services under the supervision of certified and/or licensed counselors, social workers, nurses, and/or other professionals. Human Service Paraprofessionals may be members of a team or work with little direct supervision. Typical duties include: determining clients’ needs and referring them to appropriate services; assisting clients in the application for benefits and other social programs; co-facilitating individual, family and group counseling sessions; developing treatment or case plans and monitoring clients’ progress in fulfilling the plans; providing training in daily living skills; advocating for clients before social and government agencies; and maintaining case records and reports.

Employers prefer to hire Human Service Paraprofessionals who have completed post-secondary certificate training and who have some on-the-job experience, such as that provided by Cooperative Work Experience Education or an internship class. This program meets these employer needs, and gives students a clear employment advantage over untrained, inexperienced job applicants.

For many, the HUS-P program will be the beginning of a career and academic path. Students seeking immediate employment can complete the Certificate Program, and then complete General Education requirements for the Human Service Associate of Science Degree while working. Students who wish to continue their education in Human Services-related disciplines at four-year colleges will have the ability to work in fields akin to their academic studies, and this work experience will add meaning, purpose and direction to their college coursework.

HUS 101 Introduction to the Helping Profession (3 units)
  or HUS 170 Introduction to Social Work
  or AOD 151 Alcohol and Other Drugs: Overview
HUS 152 Basic Skills for Human Service Workers (3 units)
HUS 154 Fundamentals of Interviewing and Counseling (3 units)
HUS 155 Group Leadership and Group Process (3 units)
HUS 156 Case Management and Documentation (3 units)
HUS 157 Dual Disorders and Mental Health Issues (2 units)
HUS 159 Intervention Theory and Techniques (1.5 units)
HUS 160 Law, Ethics and Human Services (3 units)
HUS 161 Introduction to Family Counseling Approaches (3 units)
HUS 162 Community Prevention Theory and Practice (3 units)
HUS 103 Field Placement and Practicum Semina (1.5 units)
  or AOD 164 Field Placement and Practicum Seminar (I unit)
HUS 197b Human Service Paraprofessional Practicum (4 - 8 units)
or AOD 197A Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program Practicum
HUS 105 Field Placement and Practicum Seminar II (1.5 units)
  or AOD 165 Field Placement and Practicum Seminar II
PSY 205 Introductory Psychology (3 units)
Total Units Required for Certificate: 27.5 - 41.5

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete a Huamn Services Paraprofessional Certificate of Achievement will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and key concepts related to Human Service Paraprofessional occupations.
2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of, and ability to fulfill, Human Service Paraprofessional duties and responsibilities.
3. Readily find entry-level employment in Human Services paraprofessional positions.

Gainful Employment Information

This information is provided to prospective students to help them make a better, more informed decision about a certificate program.

OPEID: 011672
CIP Code: 44.0000

(Note: You may use the CIP code as a way to identify and compare similar programs at different colleges which may have different names.)

CIP Program Description: Human Services, General
Program Name: Human Services Paraprofessional
Program Level: Certificate of Achievement
Program Length: 4 semesters^[1]
Related Occupations:

The following table lists the ONET Code and ONET Title (SOC) for occupations related to this program

Estimated Cost of Program: $1,725.00 ^[2]
Estimated Cost for Textbooks and Supplies: $776.57 ^[3]
Mendocino College does not offer on-campus housing.

Number of students who completed this program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012: 0

Because of the low number of students completing this program, Mendocino College does not report:

• The percentage of completers with student debt;
• The median cumulative debt for completers in this program;
• The amount of Federal student loan debt;
• The amount of Private loan debt;
• The amount of Institutional financing plan debt;
• The number of students who completed the program within the normal program time;

This information is not reported in compliance with FERPA regulations.

Notes:

[1]Program length is expressed in semesters. There are two 17-week semesters each year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Length of time is calculated as the number of semesters it would take a student to complete the program unit requirements if they enrolled at the minimum full-time level of 12 units per semester. Students may be able to accelerate their progress by enrolling in more units per semester or enrolling in Summer session, if courses are available. Time to complete the program may be longer than the normal program length if a student requires remedial course work.

[2] Program cost is estimated based upon current unit cost (Fall 2012) of $46.00 per unit plus any additional Course Material Fees for required courses. Additional required fees are also included.

[3]Textbook cost estimate is based upon retail cost of new textbooks purchased through the Mendocino College Bookstore. A student's actual cost may vary based upon the availability of used textbooks, rental textbooks or electronic text books.

How to Apply

Financial Aid Information

Created: June 14, 2011 @ 07:54 AM
Last Modified: June 27, 2012 @ 11:39 AM