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.

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.

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.

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. Business Mathematics

• BTECA 117 Business Mathematics (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course will help you develop basic computation math skills needed to evaluate client data.

Action Item: Attend a Transfer Fair

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

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. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• 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.

• ANTH& 106 The American Mosaic (5 credits)
• ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: These are great courses to help you better understand cultural diversity that you will encounter as a therapist.

8. Communication Course Recommendation

Choose One

• CMST& 220 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. 

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Self-Care for Care Givers

• SSMH 210 Self-Care for Caregivers (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.

13. Social Service Mental Health Core Electives Recommendation

Choose one group or any combination of 15 credits. Electives approved by SSMH advisor: Any Psychology, Sociology, Multi-cultural course, or course related to career path. COLLG 110 works here as well.

14. Biology Course Recommendation

Choose one

• BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)
• BIOL& 170 Human Biology: Anatomy & Physiology (5 credits)

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

15. Introduction to Chemical Dependency

• HSSA& 101 Introduction to Chemical Dependency (3 credits)

• Course purpose: An orientation to chemical dependency and psychoactive drug abuse, including etiological theories of chemical dependency; history of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs; and basic principles of prevention, intervention and treatment.

16. Field Experience 2

• SSMH 202 Social Service-Mental Health Field Experience 2 (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course gives you exposure to a career-related work experience, under qualified supervision, introducing you to the application of 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.

17. 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.

18. Abnormal Psychology

• PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5 credits)

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

19. 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 course if you are interested in 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 course if you are interested in general counseling.

• PSYC 230 Intro to Personality (5 credits)

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

Total Credits: 97