Human Services

Division: Social Sciences

Human Services is the study of applied social work, sociology and psychology.  It includes the study of legal and ethical issues, theories of practice and human behavior, history of social welfare and current policies. Students will acquire skills in critical thinking, case planning, crisis intervention, theory-based assessment, working knowledge of community resources and experience in a human services agency.

The most common employment opportunities are entry level jobs in Health and Human Services and a variety of non-profit agencies in the community in the area of crisis management, substance abuse, and eligibility and case management.

Degrees and certificates are available in Human Services. Transfer requirements in Human Services are available in the Counseling Department.

Contact Information

Human Services Faculty Contact

JulieAnn Jones | julieannj@cos.edu

Social Sciences Division Chair

Marla Prochnow | (559) 730-3723 | marlap@cos.edu 
Kern: 730D | Visalia Campus

Dean of Business, Social Science, and Consumer Family Studies

Jesse Wilcoxson, Ed.D. | (559) 737-6281 | jessew@cos.edu 
Kern: 716 | Visalia Campus

Associate Degree

Certificate

For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES

HSRV 012 Introduction to Social Work 3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
Equivalent Course: HSRV 112
An introductory overview of social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings.
HSRV 101 Group Design and Leadership 4 unit(s)
Hours: 4 Lecture/Discussion
This class focuses on research-based design, leadership and evaluation for a variety of support, treatment and therapeutic groups.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL 001 as determined by COS Placement Procedures.
Prerequisites: HSRV 121 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
HSRV 102 Drug and Alcohol Treatment 3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course is designed to develop the basic skills and knowledge needed to work in the field of alcohol and other drug treatment programs.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL 001 determined by COS Placement Procedures.
HSRV 104 Issues in Family Violence 3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This is an introduction class to family violence that examines the causes, interventions, and prevention of various types of family violence. This includes child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, and dependent adult abuse. The course also covers the application of the bio-psycho-social model to understanding and interventions with the family system.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL 001 as determined by COS Placement Procedures.
HSRV 120 Introduction to Social Welfare 3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course is a survey of the social, economic, political, historical and philosophical development of social welfare systems in the United States. The course reviews and evaluates major assistance programs in the United States and California, as well as the political ideologies that impact policy development.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
HSRV 121 Interviewing 5 unit(s)
Hours: 5 Lecture/Discussion
Methods and techniques of interviewing for social workers. Students will learn how to obtain appropriate client and social information by being sensitive and objective with respect to needs. Students will identify and describe problems in interviewing children, the disabled and the aged.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 251 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL 001 as determined by COS Placement Procedures.
HSRV 122 Practices in Human Services/Social Work 3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course is a review of the various social issues that impact the welfare of individuals and society as a whole, as well as the social work strategies to provide remedial services. The course covers basic theories and practical interventions pertaining to the society, the family and the individual, as they are used in the field of social work.
HSRV 124 Human Services Field Work Seminar 1 unit(s)
Hours: 1 Lecture/Discussion
This course provides the student who is participating in a supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution with a weekly class meeting that provides the academic element to the experiential course offering. The application of concepts gained in the
Prerequisites: HSRV 012 or HSRV 120 or an equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
Corequisites: WEXP 193HS must be taken concurrently.

Human Services

Jones, JulieAnn
B.A., California State University, Sacramento 
M.A., California State University, Long Beach