PSCN Courses

Introduction to psychology-counseling theory, skills, techniques, and processes in working with individuals and/or groups. Multiculturalism in American society. Emphasis placed on issues and processes of a minority-majority environment. Includes review of demographics, social services, community agencies, and intervention programs. Fundamental counseling techniques, counseling theory and socio-cultural issues related to working in the “service provider” role.

Introduction to case management theory, models and techniques. Multicultural issues affecting case management theory. Emphasis is placed on case management philosophy, ethical issues, concepts and practices. Analysis of needs, documentation and confidentiality and individualized client plan development. Analysis of inter-agency collaboration. Includes issues of monitoring an ongoing case management plan and maintaining client commitment to plan success. Designed to provide students with knowledge in case management theory implementation for Human Service, Social Work and/or Mental Health.

This course covers historical, political, social, racial, gender, socioeconomic, and legal factors involved in the marketing, distribution, and government regulations of legal and illegal drugs. The course offers an overview of contemporary and culturally informed prevention, diagnosis, and treatment methods, including an analysis of effective, culturally responsive, evidence-based strategies and local recovery resources. This course explains concepts and theories relating to the epidemiology and toxicology of substance use, misuse, abuse, and dependence, and the impact on personal, community and societal health. The biological/physiological, neurological, and psychological short and long-term effects of selected pharmacological substances on the human brain and body are explored, including an analysis of risk factors associated with abuse and dependence.

Exploration of intercultural and interethnic communication behavior of individuals in relationships and/or groups, personal identity formation in the American context, historical development of culturally influenced communication styles, and evolution of new, American inter- and intra-group communication. Will examine social science research models, including single subject case study, in three (3) of the five (5) following groups: African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Native/Indigenous Americans, Pacific Islander-Americans, Hispanic-Americans. Students will attend Bay Area cultural events.

Survey course introduces students to the human services field. Includes history, ethics, values, and principles of human and social services. Focus on modern practice, research techniques, and critical service provider skills. Students will explore community resources and human service roles and the development of a multicultural approach to working with diverse populations.

Exploration of the concept of career, educational and life planning focusing on personal career development through self-assessment. Emphasis on clarification of individual interests, values, needs, abilities and decision making styles, investigation of occupational opportunities in the world of work, and introduction to job search strategies, resume writing and interview skills. Designed for those undecided or uncertain about their career and educational plans.

Exploration of behavior in interactions with others to benefit academic, career and personal development. Examination of feelings, self-acceptance, awareness, and understanding in human relationships (interpersonal and group). Practice of active listening skills, self-disclosure, empathy, and positive regard through various counseling approaches.

Exploration of causes of low self-esteem, methods for building self-esteem and habits for success. Designed to improve self-esteem to ensure academic success.

Exploration of issues relating to the multicultural community in which we live today. Interpersonal relations and communication. Focus on improving the individual’s understanding of other cultures and how those cultures impact the American lifestyle. Includes exploration of myths and misunderstandings. Discussion of four specific cultures or sub-cultures from the following groups: 1) African-American, 2) Asian-American, 3) Hispanic-American, 4) Native-American, 5) Middle Eastern-American, 6) European-American, 7) Gay/Lesbian American, 8) Disabled American.

Review of study skill techniques for success in college. Emphasis on time management, personal learning style, active listening, note-taking and test-taking strategies. Includes modeling, practice and evaluation of study skill techniques.

This course provides a foundation for college success and self-development toward financial wellness in the context of funding one's college and university transfer education. Sample topics covered include: the costs associated with going to college; campus, university, and financial aid resources; policies and responsibilities related to different types of financial aid; strategies for scholarships, net price calculator tools; self assessment and reflection opportunities around sociocultural factors (e.g. values, mindset, upbringing), relationship with money, and influence on decision-making and behavior in spending, budgeting, and managing college costs.

Introduction to the resources and planning process needed to ease transition from community college to a four-year college or university. Development of a transfer action plan. Preparation for major and general education requirements. Application cycles and important deadlines. Recommended for those transferring to four-year colleges or universities.

Explores academic programs, college policies, student rights and responsibilities, graduation and transfer requirements, student services, campus resources and activities, and introduces the concept of educational planning through self-assessment. Emphasis is on self-assessment of individual interests, values, needs, and abilities. Designed for first time, returning and re-entry students to ease transition into college and maximize successful matriculation through college toward academic/vocational goals. (May not be taken for credit if General Studies 20 has been completed.)

Assessment of learning and college life. Introduction to practical strategies for success in college. Includes student academic programs, college policies, student rights and responsibilities, graduation and transfer requirements, and campus resources and activities. Designed for first-time, returning and re-entry students to ease transition into college and maximize success towards their academic goals. May not be taken for credit if Psychology Counseling 20 or General Studies 20 has been completed.

Workshop format focusing on practical strategies for success in college. Workshop topics may include personal, academic and/or career goal setting; transitioning and adapting to higher education; educational planning for graduation and/or transfer; support services and campus resources; majors and careers; plus other topics as student needs are identified. Designed for all students to maximize their potential with emphasis on enhancing the new student’s transition into college.

A course designed to equip students for lifelong learning and developing critical thinking that will facilitate their adjustment to the college environment and the successful pursuit of their educational and career goals. This course provides an introduction to academic skills and strategies, campus resources and activities, decision making and planning, college policies and procedures, interpersonal communication, stress management techniques, self-exploration and goal setting, and student rights and responsibilities.

The course is designed for students with disabilities to improve life management skills. Through this course, students explore behaviors by interacting with others and improving interpersonal skills to benefit academic, career, and personal development.

Investigation of the relationship between Chicano cultural experiences and college success. Emphasis on examination of how Chicano cultural experience can affect collegiate success.

Enhance knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively navigate the transitions encountered throughout life, such as graduating from high school, entering the world of work, becoming a parent, changing careers, entering or loss of a relationship and other major life changes. Centers on personal health, family life, community life and career development. Provides the opportunity to develop a positive self-concept, independence and positive attitude while also practicing skills to grow with change and maintain a positive lifestyle. Promotes and supports developing holistic well-being in managing life as purposeful contributing members of society.

This work-based learning course offers students supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution within human services/social work. Students will reinforce and apply knowledge gained in the prerequisite coursework while learning new skills outside the classroom environment. In addition to engaging in fieldwork, students will attend a weekly class meeting that will complement their fieldwork experience. Within the academic term, students must complete 108 hours of paid or non-paid work to earn 2.00 units. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience in total.

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. In conjunction with the required corequisite work experience course, students will gain insight about their future role as a Human Services/Social Work practitioner through discussion, problem solving, reflection, and evaluation with self, instructor, supervisor, and peers. Ethical, legal, professional, and social justice issues in the field of Human Services/Social Work will be addressed.