Social Services Technician
Make a Difference
In every community, there are people struggling to survive. With your Social Services Technician degree, you’ll be in a position to help your neighbors in need get back on their feet. Training will include working with individuals and families and will help test your skills with real-world experience. You’ll be prepared for a successful career with a variety of nonprofit organizations, and city or state agencies. Most importantly, working in social services will truly help you change lives for the better.
If your career choice is motivated by helping people and you are good at listening and problem solving, then the Social Services Technician program may be for you. You can improve others’ lives by helping them find solutions to personal, family, and social problems. If you have tact and empathy when dealing with other people's problems and an abundance of understanding and compassion when dealing with persons who are culturally, socially, and economically disadvantaged, you could have a wonderful influence on the quality of life for individuals, families, and your community.
Many people are drawn to this field that derives great satisfaction from helping others. Ongoing social issues such as day care for the elderly, serving the developmentally disabled, chemically dependant people, emotionally and behaviorally disturbed youth, and the homeless will create jobs for social services technicians.
Want to find out if this career is for you? Check it out on the web at http://www.acinet.org/, and select Occupation Information.
Program Description
This program prepares you to enter the social services career field at the paraprofessional level. The training includes individual casework skills, group skills, case management skills, and family group work skills. Students participate in supervised work experience in various social agencies within the community which often serves as an avenue to obtaining employment. A variety of elective courses are offered to help students learn more advanced skills.
Career Path Notes
More advanced occupations, such as Social Worker, will require at least a Bachelor’s degree. If you are interested in pursuing that career, you should enroll in the Associate of Arts Social Work Transfer degree, then continue on to a four-year school to complete your Bachelor of Social Work degree.
Program Information
Click here for program specific information.
For More Information
Call the Division of Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences at 719-502-3300.
Employment Opportunities
Job opportunities include Social Service Technician, Social Service Assistant, Welfare Eligibility Technician, Social Services Aide, Case Aide, Human Services Assistant, and many other
Earnings Outlook
In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Social and Human Services Assistants was $13.03 with a salary range of $8.23 - $19.26. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 190 job openings per year statewide. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Financial Aid
Advising
Apply
Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising
Associate of Applied Science Degree
1st Semester - Fall
ENG 121 English Composition I
or
ENG 131 Technical Writing
MAT 107 Career Math
SWK 100 Introduction to Social Work
SWK 205 Social Welfare in the US
SWK 222 Introduction to Social Work Practice
Semester 1 Credit Hours 15
2nd Semester - Spring
ENG 122 English Composition II
or
COM 225 Intro to Organizational Communication
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology I
SWK 180 Internship I
SWK 208 Social Work Case Management
Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
3rd Semester - Fall
SOC 102 Introduction to Sociology II
SWK 105 Application to Group Counseling
SWK 106 Introduction to Alcohol and Drugs
SWK 181 Internship II
SWK 201 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
Semester 3 Credit Hours 18
4th Semester - Spring
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
PSY 101 General Psychology I
SWK 202 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
SWK 280 Internship III
Semester 4 Credit Hours 15
Total Credit Hours 63
Certificates
Case Management Open Field Placement - Internship
Child Welfare
Gerontological
Social Services
Substance Abuse