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, AA, and certificate programs are 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 Associate in Arts in Social Work and Human Services for Transfer degree is intended for students who plan to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a similar major at a CSU campus, such as Collaborative Health and Human Services, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or Sociology. 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 https://icangotocollege.com/associate-degree-for-transfer and seek guidance from a Ventura College counselor. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, although not necessarily to a particular CSU campus or major.

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.

To earn an Associate of Arts in Social Work and Human Services for Transfer degree, students must meet the following requirements:

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

   1. The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements.

   2. The coursework required for the AA-T in Social Work and Human Services  as listed in the Ventura College catalog.

2. 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).

3. 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. 

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

See a counselor or consult assist.org, especially if you plan to transfer to a UC campus or a college or university other than CSU.

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.