Pre-Social Work

Human Services Assistant

Certificate

This 30-credit certificate program provides you with the theory, knowledge, skills, and techniques you’ll need to obtain entry-level employment in the human services profession. The curriculum helps you directly confront the realities of a career focused on helping others. You will explore attitudes, thoughts, and feelings that can affect your ability to work effectively with others as a human services generalist.

Direct experience with human service consumers and agencies through an internship as well as class experiences are essential features of this certificate program. You can specialize in areas such as mental illness, mental retardation, chemical dependency, child development, or aging by centering your internship and coursework in these areas.

As a student in this certificate program, you will complete the Human Services Assistant curriculum (22 credits) and electives (8 credits) for a credit total of 30.

Note: If you have been arrested, charged, or convicted of any criminal offense, you should investigate the impact that the arrest, charge, or conviction may have on your chances of employment in the field you intend to study or on your chances to obtain federal, state, and other higher education financial aid.

Some courses within this program require a criminal background study to successfully complete. Please see the course description section of the catalog for more details. Please refer to the Criminal Background section of the catalog for more information on the criminal background study.

Pre-Social Work Program Planning Guide

2022-2023 Required Courses

Human Services Assistant Curriculum

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
HSER 1100	Introduction to Social Work	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Provides an introduction to the field of Social Work and Social Welfare. Course describes history, worker roles, and current career trends in the field. Students are required to participate in hands-on experience through service learning. This course is appropriate for anyone who might be interested in the helping profession. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
HSER 1104	Multicultural Awareness in the Helping Profession	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Examines attitudes and enhances knowledge and skills that are necessary to work effectively with culturally diverse populations in the human services field. Students will explore their own and others' cultural indentities, values, attitudes, and behaviors. Emphasis is placed on how to adjust services to the multicultural needs of individuals who are served. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Spring 2024
HSER 1106	Basic Counseling Skills	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Introduces basic counseling and interviewing skills. Students will learn and apply skills that range from basic attending and listening skills to chart documentation and treatment planning. Prerequisite: Recommended concurrent enrollment with HSER 1100. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: HSER 1100 Introduction to Social Work Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023
HSER 1107	Group Processes	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Focuses on the development of communication skills and self-awareness important in the roles of group membership and leadership. Provides an understanding of the evolution and function of therapeutic groups. Emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills. Prereq: HSER 1100 and HSER 1106. Prerequisites: HSER 1100 Introduction to Human Services HSER 1100 Introduction to Social Work HSER 1106 Helping Skills HSER 1106 Basic Counseling Skills Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Spring 2024
HSER 1112	Crisis Assessment and Intervention	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Presents basic concepts of crisis assessment, intervention, and referral. The application of strategies and techniques with a discussion of intervention, assessment, and referral models is included. An overview of interventions for specific crisis will be reviewed. An assessment model for making appropriate referrals is presented. Pre-requisite: HSER 1106. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Spring 2024
HSER 1123	Family Functions and Interactions	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Studies the family with attention to its organization, function and dynamics. Emphasis is placed on the impact and effects of family on individual development. The course offers an introduction to family systems theory, normal and problematic family systems, and family functioning concepts. It also examines family violence including, social and psychological roots of violence. Chemical dependency and how it affects the family will also be discussed. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023
HSER 1179	Human Services Seminar	1
Course Outline Credits: 1 Provides an opportunity for human services students to create and implement projects for the development of personal knowledge and skill. Provides students the opportunity to receive support on internship progress. To complete the requirements of the course students will need to receive a criminal background clearance. Please refer to the Criminal Background section of the catalog for more information on the criminal background study. This course must be taken concurrently with HSER 1189, Internship. The course may be repeated once. Prereq: Must take currently with HSER 1189, Internship. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
HSER 1189	Internship	3
Course Outline Offers work experience in a human service agency, providing an opportunity to further develop skills. Through work experience, students will gain additional knowledge of human services practices and concepts. May be taken as two 3-credit courses or one 6-credit course. To complete the requirements of the course students will need to receive a criminal background clearance. Please refer to the Criminal Background section of the catalog for more information on the criminal background study. Prereq: Permission of human service faculty and previous human service coursework. Must take concurrently with HSER 1179, Human Services Seminar. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
Total Credits in Human Services Assistant Curriculum		22

Electives

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
EDU 1110 EDU 1128 EDU 1130 EDU 1132 EDU 1133 EDU 1136 EDU 1138 EDU 2008 EDU 2020 EDU 2805 CJS 1154 PSYC 1215 PSYC 1220 HLTH 1130 INTS 1140	Human Services Elective(s) OR Education: Early Childhood Birth To Grade 3 OR Guidance, Communication and Development of Young Children OR Early Childhood Education OR Creative Activities for the Young Child OR Children's Health, Nutrition, Phys Development, and the Effects of Drugs OR Infant and Toddler Development OR Introduction to Special Education OR Introduction to Infant/Child Mental Health OR Foundations of Early Literacy OR Introduction to Children's Literature OR Juvenile Justice OR Child and Adolescent Psychology OR Adulthood and Aging Psychology OR Drug Use and Abuse OR Human Sexuality	8
Human Services Elective(s) Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Education: Early Childhood Birth To Grade 3 Course Outline Credits: 3 Gives students a perspective on teaching at the early childhood through third-grade levels. In addition to attending the weekly 2-hour discussions, students will complete a minimum of 30 Service Learning hours in an early childhood program or elementary school setting. The lecture/discussion groups and guest speakers will focus on such issues as curriculum, Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress, classroom management, various cultures, parent-teacher communication, classroom issues, and technology in the classroom. Prerequisites: Recommended EDU 1109. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Guidance, Communication and Development of Young Children Course Outline Credits: 3 Discusses developmental characteristics of infants, toddlers and preschool children with emphasis on stages of and individual differences in rates and styles of learning. Incorporates guidance principles and techniques in order for students to better understand the child's behavior and improve skills in working with a child in various situations. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Early Childhood Education Course Outline Credits: 3 Provides an opportunity for students to explore the early childhood education field as caregivers of young children. Individuals will explore their role as a practitioner through self-exploration, classroom activities, and group activities. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Creative Activities for the Young Child Course Outline Credits: 2 Presents the principles needed to plan creative experiences for infants, toddlers, and young children in all curriculum areas. Creative activities and experiences will be explored that enhance children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Children's Health, Nutrition, Phys Development, and the Effects of Drugs Course Outline Credits: 3 Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children. Appropriate activities and experiences for young children will be addressed around the topics of health, safety, nutrition, physical development, and the effects of drugs on children. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Infant and Toddler Development Course Outline Credits: 3 Focuses on developing a knowledge base about infant and toddler development emphasizing identification and creation of the learning environment. 40 hours of service learning/field experience required. To complete the requirements of the course students will need to receive a criminal background clearance. Please refer to the Criminal Background section of the catalog for more information on the criminal background study. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Introduction to Special Education Course Outline Credits: 3 Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to create and maintain an integrated school learning environment for individuals with special needs. An introduction and exploration of disabilities commonly found in infants through school age children. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2D, Subp. 4, Standard 3B, I, O, Q, Subp. 11, Standard 10C 8710.5000, Subp. 2, Standard A1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, D1. Prerequisites: EDU 1109 Introduction to Education & Reflective Teaching Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Spring 2024 Introduction to Infant/Child Mental Health Course Outline Credits: 2 Provides an introduction to mental health support and intervention for infants, children, and parents. Class sessions explore features of child mental health and mental health care, from prevalence to causes to effective treatments. Students will have opportunities to examine ways that children's overall development is affected by early relationships and social and emotional influences, including but not limited to attachment, temperament, and toxic stress. Includes a comprehensive review of parenting and community resources to provide knowledge of best practices for those interested in working with infants, young children, and their families. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Foundations of Early Literacy Course Outline Credits: 3 Focuses on theories and strategies related to literacy in PreK-3 classroom and home settings. Class sessions feature instructional methods to promote early literacy skill development and provide opportunities to learn about concepts of print, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Includes a review of developmental assessment and evaluation practices. Intended for prospective early childhood or primary teachers, school paraprofessionals, and other educators working with emergent readers. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Introduction to Children's Literature Course Outline Credits: 3 Introduces students to the study and evaluation of literature (picture books, folktales, fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, young adult fiction, and nonfiction) written for children of all ages. Intended for students interested in a teaching career or in working with children, but is open to all interested students. Access to public libraries is required. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Juvenile Justice Course Outline Credits: 3 Examines the historical foundations, current philosophies, procedures and characteristics of the juvenile justice system. This course explores theories of delinquency, evaluation methods to assess behaviors and develop strategies while working with juveniles, as well as, Minnesota statutes and community corrections systems that apply specifically to juveniles. This course promotes five (5) core values: Accountability, Compassion/Empathy, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness, and Interpersonal Communication. These core values serve as the foundation to prepare future public servant leaders. Prerequisites: CJS 1150 Introduction to Criminal Justice Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024 Child and Adolescent Psychology Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Explores the basic development in the physical, cognitive and psychosocial areas from conception through adolescence. Pertinent theories, studies, and methodologies are addressed. This course and Adulthood and Aging Psychology (PSYC 1220) provide a comprehensive study of Lifespan Development. Prereq: Recommended PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1201. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024 Adulthood and Aging Psychology Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Explores research and theory from the field of developmental psychology regarding the nature and processes of human development from early adulthood through old age and death. Implications and applications are addressed. This course and Child Adolescent Psychology (PSYC 1215) provide a comprehensive study of Lifespan Development. Prereq: Recommended PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1201. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Drug Use and Abuse Course Outline Credits: 3 Provides an overview of the fundamental concepts in drug use and abuse. The course will focus on the drugs of abuse that are most commonly used in the United States and will emphasize the physiological, social, psychological, legal, and health aspects of drug use and abuse. Special attention will be focused on the motivations of drug use/abuse for college students. Critical thinking and communication skills will be emphasized to explain and reinforce personal health choices. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard K2 8710.2000, Subp. 11, Standard 10E. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024 Human Sexuality Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09 Presents an interdisciplinary study of human sexuality in a pluralistic society. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Electives		8

Total Credits: