1. College Success

• COLLG 110 College Success (3 credits)

• Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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• Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

2. Introduction to Human Services

• SSMH 100 Introduction to Human Services (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course provides you an opportunity to explore the social service field history, philosophy, theory and exploration of career paths, values, education and skills needed. This course covers many of the requirements to complete a Certified Advisor Credential with the state of Washington RCW 18.19.

3. English Composition I

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)

• Course purpose: In this field you must be able to clearly and accurately document patient case information.

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• Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course. 

Action Item: Meet with Advisor

Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.

Action Item: Transfer Fair

Attend a transfer fair and explore institutions so you can take the correct prerequisites. GPA check at the completion of 20 credits.

4. Law and Ethics in Social Services

• SSMH 215 Law and Ethics in Social Services (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course explores the legal and ethical issues in social services. Includes: counselor regulation, confidentiality, client rights, involuntary commitment, rights and responsibilities of mental health professionals, mandatory reporting, child welfare, case law and standards of conduct. This course covers many of the requirements to complete a Certified Advisor Credential with the state of Washington RCW 18.19.

5. Introduction to Statistics

• MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course will build your understanding of the quantitative reasoning behind theory based social patterns of behavior.

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• Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options.

6. Social Service Mental Health Course Recommendation

Choose one

• SSMH 230 Abuse in the Family (3 credits)

• Course purpose: This course is designed to familiarize you with problems of abuse in the family.

• SSMH 185 Identity and Values in the Family (3 credits)

• Course purpose: This course is designed to familiarize you with the formation of identity, values, and self-concept in a family context.

7. English Composition II

• ENGL& 102 Composition II: Argumentation and Research (5 credits)

• Course purpose: In this field you must be able to clearly and accurately document patient case information.

8. Introduction to Sociology

• SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course will help you deepen you understanding of human relationships within the context of today’s rapidly changing world.

9. Communication Course Recommendation

Choose one

• CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Interpersonal communication and public speaking are essential skills in the human service field in order to work with case management, clients, and peers.  This course will help you develop your formal presentation skills.

• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Interpersonal communication and public speaking are essential skills in the human service field in order to work with case management, clients, and peers.  This course includes learning around interpersonal communication. 

• CMST 105 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Social service workers helping in the field will encounter a diverse population.  This course offers the opportunity to learn about communication across cultures.

10. Mental Health Interviewing and Assessment

• SSMH 170 Mental Health Interviewing and Assessment (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course will be an Introduction to helping skills and interpersonal communication, specifically basic communications, interviewing and assessment skills, as used in community mental health settings. This course covers many of the requirements to complete a Certified Advisor Credential with the state of Washington RCW 18.19.

11. General Psychology

• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: You will learn how behaviors are product of biology, psychology, and environment. 

Action Item: Apply for Graduation

Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details. https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/graduation

12. Nutrition

• NUTR& 101 Nutrition (5 credits)

• Course purpose: In this field you need to have knowledge of general health for themselves and clients.

13. Field Experience I

• SSMH 201 Social Service-Mental Health Field Experience 1 (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Under qualified supervision, you will be applying  professional and technical knowledge, values and skills as preparation for employment in the social service-mental health field. Completion of 120 hours of field work is required.

14. Self-Care for Care Givers

• SSMH 210 Self-Care for Care-Givers (3 credits)

• Course purpose: This course will help you master personal self-care techniques. You will learn to identify and plan strategies to cope with the multiple stresses inherent when giving care.

15. Survey of Biology

• BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: The field of Human Services involves helping people to live health lives.  Knowing how biological systems work can help problem solve issues in the field.

16. Sociology Course Recommendation

Choose one

• SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good course if you are interested in gender issue counseling.

• SOC 211 Family and Intimate Relationships (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good course if you are interested in marriage and family therapy.

• SOC 212 Death, Dying and Bereavement (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good course if you are interested in geriatrics and grief counseling.

• SOC 220 Gender Roles in Society (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good course if you are interested in gender research or gender issue counseling.

17. Art Course Recommendation

Choose one

• ART 111 Drawing Beginning (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Useful for graduates to develop skills in drawing, a tool that can be used in therapy with patients.

• ART 201 Painting, Beginning (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Useful for graduates to develop skills in painting, a tool that can be used in therapy with patients.

• ART 211 Beginning Sculpture (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Useful for graduates to develop skills in sculpture, a tool that can be used in therapy with patients.

18. Psychology Course Recommendation

Choose one

• PSYC& 180 Human Sexuality (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good course if you are interested in general counseling.

• PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good option if you are interested in pursuing counseling in geriatrics and/or children.

• PSYC 201 Psychology of Personal Growth (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good option if you are interested in pursuing general counseling.

• PSYC 210 Social Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good option if you are interested in understanding both psychological and sociological factors play into one’s behavior. 

• PSYC 215 Group Experience (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good option if you are interested in pursuing general counseling.

• PSYC 230 Intro to Personality (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good option if you are interested in pursuing general counseling.

• PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a good option if you are interested in pursuing general mental illness in counseling.

19. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• ECON 110 Survey of Economics (5 credits)
• ECON& 201 Microeconomics (5 credits)

• Course purpose: These courses will deepen your appreciation on how supply and demand contributes to funding of social services.

• ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This is a great course to help you better understand cultural diversity that you will encounter as a therapist.

20. Survey of Environmental Science

• ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This will build your knowledge of healthy systems and recognition of how an environment can impact behavior.

21. Humanities Course Recommendation

Choose one

• DRMA& 101 Introduction to the Theater Arts (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course will help you develop creative skills in solving problems with clients.

• HUM 106 Ethnic Thought and Culture (5 credits)

• Course purpose: In this course you will learn about the  multidimensional cultural dynamics for working with a diverse population.

Total Credits: 103