Creating Opportunities

“I’ve always been into drawing, painting, arts and crafts and now I found a job where I can do what I like.”

Social and Human Services

We offer certificate or degree programs preparing you to work with people in a wide range of fields.

Programs Offered:

Activities Assistant: Certificate

This program provides students with the basic skills, knowledge, and abilities for entry-level employment working with the elderly or disabled providing structured therapeutic or recreational activities under the supervision of an Activities Director or Consultant. Activities successful completion of the 46 credits of course work for this Certificate meets the educational requirements set forth by the National Certification Council for Activities Professionals (NCCAP) for an Activities Assistant Certified.

Activities Director: ATA Degree

This degree provides the educational background required for providing activity programming for the elderly or disabled in group homes, senior centers, nursing care facilities, retirement homes or communities, or adult day care facilities. Many Activities Directors are full-time employees of these facilities and provide structured activities for clients, and may have responsibility for supervising Activities Assistants. Other Activities Directors work as independent consultants, providing fee-for-service activities to a range of facilities and, in some cases, employing their own staff of Activities Assistants.

Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling: ATA degree and Certificate

This program provides students with generic and specialized knowledge, skills and ethical principles necessary for clinical work with chemically dependent persons and their families. Successful completion of this degree will satisfy the academic requirements for chemical dependency counselors as specified by the State of Washington.

Case Management: Certificate

This Certificate is designed primarily for people already employed in human services or who already have an Associate or high degree that wish to acquire the knowledge, skills, and perspective necessary to effectively function as an entry-level case manager in various social and human service organizations.

Senior Services Specialist : Certificate

This program is designed for those interested in gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively with a growing and diverse aging population. Courses are designed to support human service workers with the understanding and abilities needed to work in a broad range of settings with other adults, including senior centers, assisted care, housing, day treatment and respite care programs, retirement homes and in support and advocacy programs. The program emphasizes practical application of the knowledge gained in classes to working in the community with both frail and well elderly.

Therapeutic Horticulture : Certificate

Therapeutic Horticulture is a rehabilitative and therapeutic activity program that uses horticulture activities as the medium of treatment. It is a therapeutic activity used among professionals in institutions and group homes who work with people of all ages with psychological and/or physical disabilities as well as with the well-elderly and well-children to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The education provided trains the horticulturist in working with specific client concerns and offers basic gardening knowledge and projects which therapists can incorporate into their programs. The Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate is designed to provide advanced training to those who already have, or are in the process of obtaining, a Bachelor’s Degree in horticulture or social services. This certificate meets the needs of those agencies that require the organizational and planning skill of those with both a bachelor’s degree as well as specialized training in the field of horticultural therapy.

Human Services/Rehabilitation: ATA Degree

This broad-based degree is designed to provide those entering the field of human services with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively provide services to a diverse range of consumers. Course work from any of our certificate programs, which are more focused and specialized, can be used to satisfy the elective requirements for this degree. Students are encouraged to complete an elective specialization as part of this degree. Specialized certificate programs include:

Activities Assistant
Case Management
Senior Services
Therapeutic Horticulture
Vocational Consulting

Vocational Rehabilitation Technician: Certificate

This program prepares students for employment as vocational consultants, job developers or training consultants, assisting persons in job searching, job coaching and coordination of services. Vocational Consultants work cooperatively with employers, state rehabilitation counselors, and participants in determining appropriate job or business placements consistent with the client’s desires, aptitudes, and capabilities. The certificate’s course work in rehabilitation and disabilities is designed to support those Vocational Consultants who will be working with clients with previously identified psychological, developmental, or physical disabilities. Vocational Consultants offer clients education and assistance regarding the job search process, development of job leads, and case management services.

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