Social Work and Human Services, Associate in Arts for Transfer

The Associate in Arts in Social Work and Human Services for Transfer degree program prepares students for rewarding careers as program specialists, leaders in community outreach, life skills, drugs/alcohol and mental health counselors, eligibility technicians, and social workers. Careers in social work and human services include state and local government systems, non-profit organizations, and private social services agencies. Career advancement is available with experience and additional training, while courses in the transfer program may lead to advanced degrees in Social Work, Public Health, and Human Services.

In the program, students enjoy engaging academic courses and an enriching hands-on experience in field placements, studying development, history, theory, and implementation of our society's responses to human needs. Program participants learn about key issues and problems in Social Work and Human Services and build competencies in practice interventions, resources, strategies, and technologies for the delivery of human services and social work.

The program at MPC includes exploration of strengths-based human services systems, with attention to social inequalities and sociocultural factors that influence access and experience of care.  Students gain competency in effective communication, develop creativity, refine critical thinking, practice teamwork, and exercise ethics in their helping relationships. Coursework prepares students for seamless transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in health and human services, social work, counseling, community studies, or related major. Students must complete the Associate Degree for Transfer requirements to earn the AA-T degree.

Learning Outcomes 

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

  • Describe and demonstrate standards of professional behavior, confidentiality, and respect required in the field of human services.
  • Explain how to use a strength-based and self-reliance approach in the study and delivery of human services.
  • Apply concepts and theories of human services in performing effectively as part of a team when collaborating with families, agencies, and community-based organizations, while maintaining suitable values and ethics for Human Services.\n

Associate in Science Degree Major Requirements

Required Core
ECON 2Principles of Economics: Macro3
or ECON 4 Principles of Economics: Micro
HUMS 50Introduction to Human Services and Social Work3
HUMS 51AHuman Services and Social Work Seminar1
HUMS 51BHuman Services and Social Work Field Practicum2
PSYC 1General Psychology3
SOCI 1Introduction to Sociology3
SOCI/PSYC 19Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences4
or MATH 16 Elementary Statistics
Select one from the following:4-5
Human Anatomy with Cadaver Lab
Human Biology
Principles of Biology
Human Physiology
and Human Physiology Lab
List A
Select two courses from the following:6
Introduction to Administration of Justice
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Child, Family, and Community
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
Contemporary Social Problems
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
TOTAL MAJOR UNITS29-30
Additional Requirements30-31
Complete CSU General Education or IGETC pattern and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 transferable units.
Total Units60

Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.  
 

The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.

Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallUnits
ENGL 1A
College Composition
or College Composition: Enhanced
3
MATH 16
Elementary Statistics
or Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
or Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
4
SOCI 1 Introduction to Sociology 3
Electives (US-2 & US-3 Course Recommended) 3
Elective (LIBR 50 Recommended) 1
Elective (COUN 10 Recommended) 1
 Units15
Spring
ENGL 2 Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking 3
PSYC 1 General Psychology 3
Major List A 3
ANAT 5
Human Biology
or Principles of Biology
or Human Anatomy with Cadaver Lab
or Human Physiology
4
IGETC Area 3B (US-1 Course Recommended) 3
 Units16
Year 2
Fall
SPCH 1
Public Speaking (CSU Requirement)
or Small Group Communication
3
HUMS 50 Introduction to Human Services and Social Work 3
ECON 2
Principles of Economics: Macro
or Principles of Economics: Micro
3
Major List A 3
IGETC 5A 3
 Units15
Spring
HUMS 51A Human Services and Social Work Seminar 1
HUMS 51B Human Services and Social Work Field Practicum 2
IGETC Area 3A 3
IGETC Area 3A or 3B 3
IGETC Area 6 (UC Requirement) or Electives (CSU/UC Transferable) 5
 Units14
 Total Units60
A Degree With a Guarantee - Associate Degree for Transfer

MPC transfer programs are designed to enable students to complete lower-division requirements in preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution.

The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to California State University (CSU) system for any community college student who earns an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), although not to a particular campus or major. Upon transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T), students will be required to complete no more than 60 upper-division units to earn a bachelor’s degree in a same or similar major (unless designated as a “high-unit” major).

The following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements must be completed to earn the AA-T or AS-T degree:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units;
  2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework (while a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA);
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units as detailed in the Major Requirements;
  4. Completion of all courses in the major with a grade of C or better (or a “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No Pass” basis);
  5. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth) pattern; OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.

All students should consult with a Counselor to discuss transfer pathways and specific university admission requirements. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling services provided by MPC and to connect with a Counselor.

Ready to Work!MPC “Ready to Work” Career Education programs offer students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills needed for employment and job advancement.

All students should consult with a Counselor to discuss career pathways, for support with career exploration and planning, and to create a personalized education plan to help them meet their academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling services provided by MPC and to connect with a Counselor.

Additional resources are available through MPC’s Career & Transfer Resource Center (CTRC). The CTRC offers career resources, workshops, guidance and referrals. Visit the CTRC for support finding online career information and other resources to explore majors, occupations, and employment information.