Social work and human services is an applied behavioral science that emphasizes the application of behavioral science principles in a variety of cultural contexts. Students take courses in social work and human services to acquire the basic skill set required for entry-level social worker positions and to prepare for transfer to complete a baccalaureate degree in social work and human services or a similar major. As a profession, social work and human services focuses on methods for helping people from many different social groups improve the quality of their lives.

Academic and Career Pathway: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Contact Information

Chair: Alicia Lopez Dean: Michael Fino https://www.miracosta.edu/academics/degree-and-certificate-programs/social-and-behavioral-sciences/social-work-and-human-services/index.html

Department: Sociology Office: Building OC3100, 760.795.6871

Full-Time Faculty

Sean Davis

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 able to:

• Qualify for a Social Worker I position in San Diego County.
• Transfer to upper-division enrollment at a university as a Social Work and Human Services major (or related discipline).
• Identify and implement industry-recognized effective practices for human service delivery in culturally-relevant and culturally-sustaining ways.

Required courses:
SWHS 110	Introduction to Social Work and Human Services	3
SWHS 120	Fieldwork/Practicum in Social Work and Human Services	3
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology *	3
or SOC 101H	Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
PSYC 101	General Psychology *	3
or PSYC 101H	General Psychology (Honors)
SOC 125	Introduction to Statistics in Sociology *	4
or PSYC 104	Statistics for Behavioral Science
or PSYC 104H	Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors)
ECON 101	Principles of Economics: MACRO *	3
or ECON 102	Principles of Economics: MICRO
BIO 103	Introductory Biology: Animal Diversity *	3
or BIO 111	Introductory Biology: Preparation for Pre-Health Professions (Lecture)
List A: Select two courses.		6
ADM 100	Introduction to the Administration of Justice *
or ADM 100H	Introduction to the Administration of Justice (Honors)
ANTH 102	Cultural Anthropology *
or ANTH 102H	Cultural Anthropology (Honors)
CHLD 113	Child and Adolescent Growth and Development *
CHLD 210	Child, Family, and Community *
COMM 215	Intercultural Communication *
ENGL 202	Critical Thinking and Composition *
or ENGL 202H	Critical Thinking and Composition (Honors)
HIST 110	United States History to 1877 *
or HIST 110H	United States History to 1877 (Honors)
HIST 111	United States History Since 1877 *
or HIST 111H	United States History Since 1877 (Honors)
PSYC 121	Human Development *
SOC 102	Contemporary Social Problems *
SOC 207	Race and Ethnic Relations *
Total Units		28

*

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.