Associate of Arts in Community Social Services/Substance Abuse
Oakland, USA
Associate of Arts
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 13,410
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The Community Social Services/Substance Abuse Associate in Arts (AA) Degree is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients. The program also offers further training for persons already employed in the field.
The program requirements comply with CAADE (California Association on Alcohol and Drug Education) guidelines. Community Social Services/Substance Abuse is offered both for the Associate degree and the certificate. To qualify for the Associate in Arts Degree in Community Social Services/Substance Abuse, students must satisfactorily complete the Major course requirements and the General Education requirements.
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of mental health/human service trends, issues, and regulations to inpatient, outpatient, and other programs within the human services delivery system.
- Display appropriate communication and interpersonal skills through active listening, sensitivity, and effective responses to both verbal and non-verbal behavior.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior (e.g. timeliness) and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, and cultural diversity.
- Establish rapport with clients, gather information about the conditions that bring clients in for a service, and refer clients to appropriate resources.
Program Requirements
Major Core Courses
- Community Resources and Social Policy 3
- Communication: Families in Crisis 3
- Group Dynamics: Working with Small Groups 2 - 3
- Psychology/Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse 3
- Social Psychology of Substance/Drug Abuse 3
- Maintaining Sobriety and Relapse Prevention 3
- Case Management for Substance Abuse Paraprofessionals 3
- Crisis Management for Substance Abuse 3
- Dual Diagnosis: Mental Illness and Drug Abuse 3
- Working with Diverse Populations 3
- Community Social Services Field Experience 3
- Counseling Skills and Substance Abuse 3
- Composition and Reading 4 or College Composition and Reading 4
- Exploring Health Issues 3
- Fitness Center Strength Training I-Fundamentals
- Fitness Center Strength Training II-Beginning
Major Requirements 49 - 50
Total Units 62 - 63
Career opportunities may include employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients.