Examines proven strategies designed to help learners achieve greater personal, academic, and professional success. Learners will apply personal responsibility thinking and behaviors; self- management, awareness, and motivation strategies; as well as interdependence skills to develop a proactive life plan.

Explores the history, values, and philosophy of the helping professions and their connection to social welfare systems. Learners examine public and private programs, service delivery systems, and professional roles across agency settings. Learners are introduced to the ethical standards and codes of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS), and NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals and the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) Code of Ethics. Learners apply advocacy and reflective practice skills to support access to services and overall well-being in diverse communities.

Analyze foundational skills in the counseling relationship. Analyze the stages of the helping processes and the roles professionals play in the processes. Analyze the importance of establishing therapeutic relationships. Apply basic counseling techniques. Apply interviewing and counseling skills through mock counseling sessions and personal experience reflections. Examine issues of boundaries and ethics.

Evaluate the ethical codes of the helping professions. Examine professional boundaries related to the helping professions. Incorporate ethical standards into decision making processes. Examine ethical considerations related to professional standards for the helping professions. Examine ethical considerations related to state and federal regulations for the helping professions. Examine the ethical considerations related to professional self-care.

This science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.

Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.

Learners develop and apply skills in all aspects of the writing process. Through a variety of learning activities and written documents, learners employ rhetorical strategies, plan, organize and revise content, apply critical reading strategies, locate and evaluate information, integrate and document sources, and apply standardized English language conventions.

Introduction to case management techniques and processes. Incorporates intake assessment techniques, service planning techniques, referral processes, coordination of care, and discharge processes determined by a multidisciplinary team approach. Includes client self-determination and autonomy. Incorporates clinical documentation requirements and processes.

An introduction to theory and practice of group dynamics and processes. Includes ethical considerations, effective group leadership, and stages of group development. Also includes demonstration of group facilitation skills, clinical documentation, co-facilitation strategies, reflective practitioner techniques, and group formation.

This course is designed to review and develop fundamental concepts of mathematics in the areas of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, measurement and data. Algebra topics emphasize simplifying algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities with one variable, solving proportions and percent applications. Geometry and trigonometry topics include; finding areas and volumes of geometric figures, applying similar and congruent triangles, applying Pythagorean Theorem, and solving right triangles using trigonometric ratios. Measurement topics emphasize the application of measurement concepts and conversion techniques within and between U.S. customary and metric system to solve problems. Data topics emphasize data organization and summarization skills, including: frequency distributions, central tendency, relative position and measures of dispersion. Special emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking and logical reasoning, making connections, and using calculators.

Developmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

Explore the bio-psych social dynamics of substance use. Examine treatment approaches, models, and screening criteria. Examine substances of abuse, history of SUDs, and their impact on the individual and society.

Applies professional knowledge and skills needed for success in the human services field. Learners analyze professionalism, legal and ethical standards, and characteristics of effective professional relationships. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive practice, worker safety, self-care, and the value of active and engaged supervision. Learners explore community resources, best practices, and techniques that support ethical and effective service delivery. Note: Learners are encouraged to take this course at the end of the Human Services Assistant Technical Diploma or the semester before Field Experience 1.

Provides an overview to the history, diagnosis, treatment strategies, legal and ethical considerations, and documentation of mental health conditions. Focus is on understanding the mental health conditions that co-occur with substance use disorders.

Explores the complex social, environmental, and individual factors that influence the safety and well-being of children and families. Learners examine patterns of maltreatment, laws, and child welfare policies such as the Wisconsin Children’s Code, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Learners build on prior knowledge of communication, documentation, and human development to apply evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care. Emphasis is placed on ethical practice, professional boundaries, and family-centered strategies that promote prevention, intervention, and well-being across diverse communities.

Explores crisis intervention and stress management techniques used in professional settings. Learners examine developmental, situational, and traumatic crises, including those related to loss, victimization, substance use, veterans, and serious illness. Learners practice how to respond to crises in ways that support, empower, and advocate for individuals and communities while practicing cultural humility and being trauma sensitive. Emphasis is placed on ethical practice, safety, and the use of evidence-based strategies such as motivational interviewing and reflective practitioner methods to address stress, secondary trauma, and burnout.

Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

Explores the fundamentals of effective oral presentation to small and large groups. Topic selection, audience analysis, methods of organization, research, supporting evidence, delivery techniques, active listening, and other essential elements of speaking successfully, form the basis of the course. Includes informative, persuasive, and occasion speech presentations. Audience requirements to be determined by individual colleges.

This course is designed to provide an introduction to exceptional persons. Topics studied include cognitive disability, giftedness, learning disabilities, emotional disorders, visual impairments, hearing impairments and various physical disabilities. Learning activities focus on educational, legal, and personal life issues.

Provides a broad understanding of family systems theory and practice relevant to the human services field. Focus is on evaluating the communication and interaction patterns and applying interventions and strategies.

Introduces the study of aging and how biological, psychological, and social changes affect people as they grow older. Learners explore factors that influence health, independence, and quality of life for older adults. The course also examines how society and culture shape attitudes toward aging. Learners use communication and interviewing skills to understand and support older adults in human services settings.

Introduces students to the fundamental sociological concepts, including sociological perspectives, research methods, the significance of culture in society, and the socialization process. Other topics include deviance, the impact of groups on behavior, societal inequities, global changes, the role of social institutions, and social stratification

Applies classroom knowledge to a supervised 144-hour occupational experience in a human services agency. Learners collaborate with an agency supervisor to establish learning objectives and gain exposure to professional roles and responsibilities. Emphasis is placed on ethical practice, boundaries, supervision, and reflective techniques that support the transition from classroom to workplace. Learners participate in a field experience seminar focused on connection, collaboration, and reflection with peers and the instructor.

Note: Learners must complete a Field Experience application prior to enrollment and meet all clinical requirements before registration approval.

Applies advanced knowledge and skills through a supervised 144-hour occupational experience in a human services agency. Learners demonstrate readiness for entry-level practice through professional communication, ethical decision-making, documentation, time management, and interventions that support client needs. Emphasis is placed on supervision, self-care, and ending services with clients in a professional and respectful way. Learners participate in a field experience seminar focused on collaboration and reflection with peers and the instructor.

Note: Learners must complete a Field Experience application prior to enrollment and meet all clinical requirements before registration approval.