New Occupational Program Sociology: Human Services Associate in Science Degree Certificate of Achievement

Transcription

1 New Occupational Program Sociology: Human Services Associate in Science Degree Criteria A: Appropriateness to Mission 1. Statement of Program Goals and Objectives The sociology program at Oxnard College is a CSU and UC transfer program that includes preparation to enter the workforce as social and human services workers. At the and Associate in Science degree levels, students will be prepared for these and other paraprofessional jobs in Social Services. 2. Catalogue Description The certificate/as degree in Human Services provides the student with an academic background for entry-level positions in various human services agencies such as providers of health care, vocational training, welfare services, probation supervision, and pre-professional counseling. It also prepares the student for upper-division programs in human services, behavioral sciences, social sciences and education. 3. Program Requirements Sociology: Human Services Option Associate in Science Degree Required Courses: SOC R101 Introduction to Sociology 3 SOC R102 Social Problems 3 SOC R103 Racial and Ethnic Group Relations 3 SOC R104/ Sex Roles 3 PSY R107 SOC R110 Analyzing Social Welfare Services 3 SOC R118 Introduction to Human Services 3 Total Required : 18 Recommended Optional Courses: Students are encouraged to take at least one of the following courses: SOC R105 Aging in the United States 3

2 SOC R106 Contemporary Family in American Society 3 SOC R107 Sociology of the Black Community 3 SOC R108 Sociology of the Chicano Community 3 SOC R114/ Social Philosophy 3 PHIL R114 SOC R116 Crime and Society 3 ANTH R105 Sex, Gender and Culture 3 CD R106 Child, Family and Community 3 HIST R103 History of the United States II 3 HIST R112 Great American Women 3 POLS R102 Government of the United States: Institutions/Laws 3 All courses above are transferable to CSU and UC systems. 4. Background and Rationale Human Services are those provided to meet basic human needs: food, shelter, clothing, health care, basic education any service with the potential to enhance the basic quality of life for someone. Human Services workers help assess the eligibility of clients to receive social services, assist professionals in service delivery for health and education, and offer other supervisory skills in a variety of settings. Human Services workers need polished skills in writing and basic arithmetic, as well as interpersonal competency. And, they need a broad liberal arts background with a variety of courses in sociology, psychology, child development, criminology and social welfare. Need: The role of the social worker is constantly expanding into innovative service fields wherever a compassionate response to human need is required. Practitioners help at-risk populations which include the poor and homeless, abused/neglected children, refugees, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, physically ill or disabled, substance abusers, criminal offenders, and the aged. And, there is a growing demand for trained workers in a variety of areas (see employment projections in item #8, Labor Market Information and Analysis ). Criteria B: Need 5. Enrollment and Completer Projections Estimates of core courses and enrollments for the new certificate program are provided in the following table: Name Number of Sections/ Year Head Count Required Course Numbers SOC R101 Introduction to Sociology

3 SOC R102 Social Problems SOC R103 Racial and Ethnic Group Relations SOC R104/PSY Sex Roles SOC R110 Analyzing Social Welfare Services 2 70 SOC R118 Introduction to Human Services 1 40 In addition to completing the above courses, students must achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA. To earn an Associate in Science degree students must meet the following requirements: 1.) Complete the major courses listed above with a grade of C or better in each course 2.) Complete Oxnard College General Education 3.) Complete at total of 60 degree applicable units 4.) Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better for all degree-applicable courses 5.) Demonstrate competency in Reading, Written Expression, and Mathematics 6.) Meet residency requirements The number of estimated program completers, first cohort for certificate of achievement is Number of estimated program completers for the first cohort of the associate in science degree is Place of program in Curriculum/Similar Program This program will not replace any existing programs in the college, but will add to the existing program for the Associate in Arts Degree in Sociology. 7. Similar Programs at other Colleges in Service Area Currently, Moorpark College offers neither a degree nor a certificate in Sociology or Human Services. While the Ventura College catalogue indicates the offering of both an Associate of Arts Degree and in Human Services, the credits required are currently listed at 24-25; along with 12 unit Proficiency Awards but no 18 unit with a Human Services option. At Santa Barbara City College, the Sociology and Psychology departments offer only an Associate of Arts Degree with no certificate program leading directly to workforce preparation. The Human Services Program at Allan Hancock College allows students to pursue certificate programs in Family Studies, Addiction Studies, Co-Occurring Disorders, or Family Services. These areas prepare students for entry level employment in the social services, mental health, and addictions treatment fields. The labor market information given by this school confirms that the human services field is rated among the top 20 growing job opportunities in California and in the nation affirming that there is room for complimentary programs at other colleges within the region. Cuesta College offers an AA in Sociology and a CS in Women s Studies

4 College of the Canyons currently offers only an AA Degree in Sociology to fulfill GE requirements for students who plan to 1) attain an A.A. Degree in Sociology or another educational program, 2) transfer to a four-year college or university, or 3) earn units to assist in obtaining employment or advancing in a current position. There is no certificate in Human Services offered at this time. The Psychology department offers courses related to Human Services, but does not appear to have a degree or certificate program. Antelope Valley College currently does not offer degrees or certificates in Human Services, Sociology or Psychology. 8. Labor Market Information and Analysis Employment of social and human service assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects are expected to be excellent, particularly for applicants with relevant postsecondary education. The number of social and human service assistants is expected to grow by nearly 23 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This is due in large part to the aging population and increased demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Job prospects for social and human service assistants are expected to be excellent, particularly for individuals with appropriate education after high school and specifically for those seeking work within Ventura County. Projections of Employment In California, Jobs for Social and Human Service Assistants are expected to increase by 17.7 percent, or 5,700 jobs between 2008 and In Ventura County, the number of Social and Human Service Assistants is expected to grow faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Social and Human Service Assistants are expected to increase by 8.8 percent, or 50 jobs between 2008 and Earnings Source: EDD/LMID Projections of Employment by Occupation Median annual wages of social and human service assistants were $27,280 in May The middle 50 percent earned between $21,860 and $34,590. The top 10 percent earned more than $43,510, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,900. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of social and human service assistants in May 2008 were: State government $35,510 Local government 32,560 Individual and family services 26,250 Vocational rehabilitation services 23,910

5 Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities 23,580 (Reference: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Edition; 9. Employer Survey Oxnard College has a large number of sociology majors who wish to work in local community-based organizations. This interest was identified as early as 1990 when the department surveyed a number of agencies & organizations within Ventura County to understand the need for interns and/or employees (see attached sample survey titled Intern Placement Information, Human Services). Organizations providing input included Ventura County Food Share, Interface, El Concilio Family Services and the Salvation Army. Many of these organizations articulated the need for students with work experience, asking that a series of courses be developed for family service workers including a large group of pre-social work personnel to work with families in neighborhood schools as part of the First 5 of California project. A campus-based Advisory Committee was also established, under the umbrella of the Oxnard College Academy Transition Program Connecting Education to Work. Input from both the survey and the committee provided several recommendations regarding the development of a training/certificate program (see sample minutes from the June 12, 2000 meeting, and letter to Lillian Manning of the Caregivers Training Initiative dated October 23, 2000). 10. Explanation of Employer Relationship Students currently enrolled in the Analyzing Social Welfare Services course are fulfilling field experience requirements in organizations such as Ventura County Food Share, Interface, El Concilio Family Services, the Salvation Army and others. These organizations and agencies have expressed the desire to employee these students who are already acquiring work experience. 11. Members of Advisory Committee Many community members were included on the first advisory committee, such as Food Share, Interface, El Concilio Family Services, the Salvation Army, County of Ventura, Child Development Resource Center, and organizers of the Caregivers Training Initiative. These and other organizations/agencies have already been receiving our students as part of the work experience course offered as Soc Also, Elaine Martinez has been instrumental in outreach to the community as a part-time Adjunct Sociology instructor, teaching the evening Human Services courses. Drawing from the initial advisory committee formed in 2000, under the umbrella of the Oxnard College Academy Transition Program Connecting Education to Work (see Employer Survey in item #9 above), a committee with expanded scope and purpose is being formalized to include organizations that have already played an active role in guiding the development of this program.

6 12. Minutes of Key Meetings and Recommendations (These items are addressed in #9 above, in the section titled Employer Survey ) Criteria C: Curriculum Standards 13. Display of Proposed Sequence Sociology: Human Services Option Associate in Science Degree Required Courses: SOC R101 Introduction to Sociology 3 SOC R102 Social Problems 3 SOC R103 Racial and Ethnic Group Relations 3 SOC R104/ Sex Roles 3 PSY R107 SOC R110 Analyzing Social Welfare Services 3 SOC R118 Introduction to Human Services 3 Total Required : 18 Recommended Optional Courses: Students are encouraged to take at least one of the following courses: SOC R105 Aging in the United States 3 SOC R106 Contemporary Family in American Society 3 SOC R107 Sociology of the Black Community 3 SOC R108 Sociology of the Chicano Community 3 SOC R114/ Social Philosophy 3 PHIL R114 SOC R116 Crime and Society 3 ANTH R105 Sex, Gender and Culture 3 CD R106 Child, Family and Community 3 HIST R103 History of the United States II 3 HIST R112 Great American Women 3 POLS R102 Government of the United States: Institutions/Laws 3 All courses above are transferable to CSU and UC systems. 14. Outlines of Record for Required Courses (See attached)

7 15. Transfer Applicability All courses are transferable to CSU and UC systems. Criteria D: Adequate Resourses 16. Program Evaluation Plan As a part of Oxnard College s commitment to continuous quality improvement, this program will be included in the regular cycle of Program Review and included in campus plans for outcomes assessment as part of the accreditation requirements. Any additional certification requirements for CTE programs will also be met. Finally, it will be important to survey and communicate with any agencies and employers receiving our graduates to understand how well our graduates are prepared. 17. Library and/or Learning Resources Plan The OC Campus currently has a Social Sciences Computer Lab, with industryspecific software (SPSS) for teaching in the Human Services professions. No other resources are needed at this time. 18. Facilities and Equipment Plan There is adequate classroom space on campus. 19. Financial Support Plan The college is already providing resources for classrooms and faculty, and the program modifications will not require additional resources. 20. Faculty Qualifications and Availability Because of the existing Sociology Degree program, the campus already has two fulltime faculty and 3-4 adjunct instructors. All instructors meet minimum qualifications for their courses. Criteria E: Compliance 21. Model Curriculum None. 22. Compliance This program is compliant, with existing courses already fully articulated with UC and CSU university systems Licensing or Accreditation Standard This program will be included in the college accreditation with WASC. No other licensure is required at this time. 24. Student Selection and Fees Regular tuition fees for OC students apply, with no additional program fees required.