This degree will acquaint students with the fundamentals of the human services system and the profession of Social Work, including an introduction to the theories, principles, and values on which human services are offered and social work is practiced in the United States.

The Social Work/Human Services AA-T program prepares students for careers in the helping professions, may prepare students for the first two years of their transferable Human Services education, and enhances the skills of persons already employed in this field. In addition, students will be provided with personal/interpersonal skills needed to live healthy lives and deal with the stressful demands of daily living.

Human Services is a course of study for those interested in employment in such diverse settings as group homes and halfway houses; correctional facilities, developmental disability agencies, and community mental health centers; family, child, and youth service agencies; and programs concerned with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, homelessness, aging, or other social issues. The primary focus of the human service worker is to assist individuals and communities to function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living as case managers, advocates, grant writers, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, human resource specialists, fundraisers, trainers, or para-educators. The Human Services AA-T is structured around interrelated components, including theoretical foundations/intervention strategies, client population/cultural diversity, research/evaluation, and skill development/field experience. Successful completion of appropriate coursework will enable students to either further their education, seek employment in a variety of social service organizations, or both.

The AA-T in Social Work and Human Services degree is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Human Services, or a major deemed similar by a CSU campus. Each CSU campus determines which of the degrees it offers are “similar” and can be completed with the preparation included in the AA-T in Social Work and Human Services within 60 units once a student transfers, so which majors are “similar” varies from CSU to CSU.  For a current list of what majors (and what options or areas of emphasis within that major) have been designated as “similar” to this degree at each CSU campus, please refer to the CSU's Associate Degree for Transfer Major and Campus Search website and seek guidance from a Moorpark College counselor. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.

To earn an AA-T in Social Work and Human Services, students must:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units including both of the following:

a) Complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) requirements.

b) The coursework required for the AA-T  in the Social Work and Human Services as listed in the Moorpark College catalog.

2. Obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some transfer institutions and majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult with a counselor for more information. 

3. Obtain a grade of “C” or better or “P” in all courses required in the major. Even though a “pass-no-pass” is allowed (Title 5 §55062), it is highly recommended that students complete their major courses with a letter grade (A, B, or C).

4. Complete requirements in residency. For students in the Ventura County Community College District, a minimum of 12 units must be completed in residence within the college district. 

Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the Social Work and Human Services AA-T will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree (unless the major is a designated “high-unit” major at a particular campus). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Discuss the values, theories and principles of social work and human services to describe how they may guide fieldwork experience and future employment.
• Employ ethical principles of the field of social work and human services to guide fieldwork experience and future professional practice.
• Demonstrate a conceptual and practical understanding of system concepts, theories, and techniques that are foundational to the practice of human/social services.