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HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES - HSSR (Semester)

HSSR 1101 | Introduction to Human & Social Services
3 credits
In this course, students are acquainted with the fields of human services, counseling, case management, and other mental health-related fields. Explores etiology of social problems among the general population, minorities, and out-groups; the history and development of mental health services; legal and ethical issues; and various settings in which services are provided. Goals of the human services system and the role of the social work assistant will be included.

HSSR 1105 | Survey of Substance Abuse
3 credits
This course explores chemical dependency issues from a historical, cultural, biological, and legal perspective. Major topics include: recognizing signs and symptoms of substance abuse, prevention of substance abuse, differences in helping strategies with substance abusers, pharmacology, and psychopharmacology.

HSSR 1120 | Human Services Methods & Ethical Procedures
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and HSSR 1101
3 credits
This course provides a framework of human services practice meant to prepare students for their actual experience in a human services agency. Ethical and legal issues related to interventions with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities in generalist practice and chemical dependency are emphasized. Seminar format provides for discussion and integration of experiences with academic courses. Creative problem solving and human services values are featured. Exposure to differing theoretical perspectives will be explored.

HSSR 1135 | Affective Education & Group Process
3 credits
This course emphasizes the principles of therapeutic group facilitation; intrapersonal and interpersonal communication processes; and personal growth and development in the generalist practice and chemical dependency settings. Topics include group formation, group leadership skills, examining motives for entering the helping professions, conflict resolution, rapport building, verbal and non-verbal communication. Current issues, ethics, and specific needs of various populations will be featured. Features heavy emphasis on experiential learning, awareness of group dynamics, and practice of group leadership skills through participation as a group member in the laboratory setting.

HSSR 1140 | Racial & Cultural Diversity in the Helping Professions
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to the general concepts and history of cultural diversity in U.S. society, and stresses the importance of understanding diversity in mental-health careers and the helping professions. It focuses on the history of many cultural/minority groups and provides an understanding of culturally-based help-seeking behaviors among racial, ethnic, and other subpopulations. Emphasis is on general diversity issues as well as issues specific to becoming culturally competent in the helping professions. (SOCI 107 may not be substituted for this course to meet graduation requirements in the HSSR program).

HSSR 1150 | Case Management & Writing in the Helping Professions
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 and HSSR 1120
2-3 credits
A writing intensive course focusing on the various forms of professional writing typically encountered in the helping professions, and on the use of behavioral observations and writing to document client interactions and behaviors. Students will learn beginning skills needed to maintain records and case management necessary for rendering professional services to clients. Students will learn to analyze professional writing situations and apply the principles of effective writing to documentation, measurable goals and objectives, grant/proposal writing, letters, memos, case management, and treatment planning in generalist practice and chemical dependency. Topics will include: case assignment, planning, assessment, goal setting, observation, documentation, intervention, evaluation, and referral.

HSSR 2210 | Counseling Theories
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110, HSSR 1101, and HSSR 1120
3 credits
This course presents the major counseling theoretical orientations and philosophies including discussion of major concepts and techniques, impact on the client-helper relationship, and advantages and disadvantages of different theories. Emphasis on practical application.

HSSR 2211 | Counseling Techniques
Prerequisite: HSSR 2210 and permission of instructor
3 credits
The course builds on the basic counseling and interviewing theories studied in HSSR 2210, with emphasis on learning basic counseling skills that are appropriate to the counseling process in generalist practice and chemical dependency settings. Topics include techniques related to attending skills, facilitating growth, active listening, nonverbal behavior, action responses, motivational interviewing, and determining personal style. Special needs of diverse populations will also be featured.

HSSR 2215 | Social Gerontology
Prerequisite: PSYC 1110 and HSSR 1101
2 credits
This class takes a multidisciplinary approach to examining the issues facing people in late adulthood. Students will explore the demographic, sociocultural, and mental health aspects of aging. Problem solving techniques will be covered, along with future trends necessary with the approach of an aging population. Physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of aging will be discussed.

HSSR 2216 | Prevention, Diagnosis & Treatment of Chemical Dependency
Prerequisite: HSSR 2206 and 1210
3 credits
This course systematically studies chemical dependency as well as the theory and practice modalities related to treatment. The course will cover skills needed to recognize the enormity of this problem, how to assess and diagnose it; and how to treat individuals and families who come for assistance. Strategies and community resources for diverse populations will be featured. Materials useful in preventing chemical dependency and/or relapse are also presented.

HSSR 2220 | Developmental Disabilities
2 credits
This course covers developmental and lifecycle stages, etiology, psychosocial services, treatment, and education of the developmentally disabled. It also presents an overview of past, present, and future trends in the field. Terminology and legal issues will be discussed.

HSSR 2225 | Psychology of Addiction & Family Systems
Prerequisite: HSSR 1105
3 credits
This course will cover a broad range of issues related to addiction including various theories of addiction, how addiction is defined, how it develops, how it is treated, and how it can be prevented. The coursework will include study of biological, developmental, motivational, familial, and cultural aspects of addiction. The course will focus on many types of addiction, including alcohol addiction, drug addiction, tobacco addiction, sex addiction, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, and other emerging forms of addictive behavior. Class activities will include researching and reading journal articles, class discussion, as well as study from the assigned textbooks. This course will also focus on the impact of addiction on the family system and other relationships. Students will be exposed to the alteration of family patterns due to the presence of addiction. This course features a heavy reliance on academic research (scholarly journals) to supplement the material presented in the texts.
(Students who have completed PSYC 2225 may not receive credit for this course.)

HSSR 2271 | Human Services Practicum I
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in Human and Social Services program, have a minimum of 50 credits with a C or better in every course completed from the plan of study; and must be entering final year of Human Services program with a definitive plan to graduate by the end of Spring semester; and permission of instructor.
3 credits
This course consist of a 240 hour placement in a local social services agency under professional supervision. Provides on the job training for students including development of human services skills, integration of human services theories and skill based training, professional documentation. The course includes a one hour per week seminar on-campus, focusing on discussion of learning experiences encountered in the practicum setting. Students will become familiar with the operations of a human services agency; including client/staff interaction and employee responsibilities.

HSSR 2272 | Human Services Practicum II
Prerequisites: HSSR 2271, must be enrolled in HSSR program, have a minimum of 50 credits with a C or better in every course completed from the plan of study, and permission of instructor.
3 credits
This course is designed as a continuation of practical experience and provides an additional 240 hours in a human services agency. Students will increase their level of responsibility in implementing human services skills. Supervision will be provided by a qualified professional. The course includes a one hour per week seminar on-campus, focusing on discussion of learning experiences encountered in the practicum setting. Students will become familiar with the operations of a human services agency; including client/staff interaction and employee responsibilities.

HSSR 2275 | Community Mental Health Issues
Prerequisites: HSSR 1101, HSSR 1150, and PSYC 1110
3 credits
A writing intensive course covering the nature of mental illness and mental health, organization of community mental health services, history of mental health services, and crisis intervention strategies. Topics include community based and residential treatment, societal impact of deinstitutionalization, assessment of crisis situations, use of short-term interventions to deescalate crisis situations, strategies for meeting the needs of individuals and communities within a diverse population.

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