What is Social Work and Human Services?
Students take courses in social work and human services to acquire the basic skill set required for entry-level social worker and human service generalist positions and to prepare for transfer to complete a baccalaureate degree in social work, human services, or a similar major. The profession of social work and human services focuses on methods for helping individuals with a variety of backgrounds address the challenges they are facing. Social workers and human service workers work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, settlement houses, community development corporations, and private practices.
Social Work and Human Services at Palomar
The SWHS Program provides students with the academic training and hands-on experience for entry-level employment in social work and human services or to meet lower division transfer requirements for a bachelor’s degree in social work. Social work and Human Services are applied behavioral sciences that emphasize the application of behavioral science principles in a variety of cultural contexts. As a profession, social work and human services focuses on methods for helping people from many different social groups to improve the quality of their lives.
Program Goals and Objectives
The Social Work and Human Services Program is committed to excellence in the education focused on preparing future Social Work and Human Services providers with the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to effectively serve a diverse clientele, access resources and provide services that support the individuals, families, and systems/agencies, residing in the communities in which they work. Contributing academic excellence, practitioner-focused research, and professional service to advance the knowledge base of Social Work and Human Services is expected and supported. In service to the community, we seek to promote awareness of critical social issues, advocate for and provide direct service in contributing to improving the overall quality of life within the college, our region, and communities we will provide services in.