This program is designed to prepare students to serve in a variety of mental health and social services settings. Graduates could function in any one of the following roles: caseworker aide, outreach worker, client advocate, therapy aide, community organizer, and other human services generalist’s positions. Students will learn through academic and field practicum experiences, sound methods of assisting individuals in developing productive responses to personal and social problems. Emphasis also will be placed on the personal growth and development of the individual student as it relates to their work with clients.

Graduates may transfer credits from this program to a variety of senior colleges offering a baccalaureate degree in such fields as social work, psychology and human services.

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded upon completion of the requirements for this program.

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

• Identify components of the Human Services Delivery System including:Recognize and discriminate between normal and abnormal development and behavior.

  • the roles of the various members of the service delivery team.
  • client assessment/referral process.
  • the history of the human services field.
    
    

• Differentiate among the three major theoretical perspectives with treatment applications of each.

• Demonstrate application of the client-centered counseling process.

• Employ the concept and components of a therapeutic milieu.

• Display an understanding and respect for the diversity of cultures, races, genders, and sexual orientations among clients and co-workers, and in society as a whole.

• Exhibit the ability to use technology effectively.

Courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor.

First Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
ENG 101	Composition I	3
PSY 111	Psychological Principles I	3
PSY 134	Group Dynamics	3
BHS 110	Introduction to Human Services	3
CMH 103	Community Mental Health Practicum I	2
TOTAL		14

Second Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
ENG 102	Composition II	3
BHS 103	Social Problems in Today's World	3
PSY 102	Interviewing and Counseling Skills	3
PSY 203	Developmental Psychology	3
CMH 104	Community Mental Health Practicum II	2
MAT 109 (or higher)	Survey of Mathematics	3
TOTAL		17

Third Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
Science (b)		4
ECO 105, GOV 121, HIS 104, HIS 108		3
PSY 202	Therapeutic Intervention Skills	3
CMH 203	Community Mental Health Practicum III (a)	3
PSY 201	Abnormal Psychology	3
TOTAL		16

Fourth Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
PSY 207	Creative Arts Therapy	3
BHS 245	Issues and Ethics in the Human Services	3
WFE 101	Lifetime Wellness and Fitness	3
CMH 204	Community Mental Health Practicum III (a)	3
Free Elective (c)		3
TOTAL		15
	TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	62

NOTE:

1. In addition to the course requirements for this curriculum, all matriculated students must demonstrate proficiency in basic quantitative skills by earning a passing score on the numerical skills placement test. Students who do not earn a passing score on this test will be required to take CSM 090 and earn a grade of C or better.

2. All CMH students are required to submit a completed physical examination form prior to field placement. All immunizations indicated on the form must be current. When this form is on file, the College Health Office will issue a waiver clearing the student for field placement. Hepatitis B Vaccine series is highly recommended and may be required by the placement site under the OSHA Standard on Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens.

3. Transportation to and from practicum sites is the responsibility of all students in the program, including those in the dorm. If you do not have a car, please be sure that you are able to find alternate means of transportation. 

a. Students wishing to earn both the Mental Health Assistant degree and the Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate will not take CMH 203 and CMH 204, but will take all four CDC Practicum courses.

b. Science: Any four-credit courses listed in Appendix B meets this requirement.

c. Read a full discussion of the free elective requirement. The subject area for Mental Health Assisting includes all courses labeled CMH.