2018-2019 Spring Edition 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Spring Edition [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mental Health Worker Associate of Science


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The Mental Health Worker Associate of Science degree program provides the knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies needed to engage in best practices in the field of mental health. It prepares individuals to work as paraprofessionals in entry-level positions in the field of mental health. The Mental Health Worker program introduces students to co-occurring disorders and integrated services, benefits and entitlement acquisitions, the recovery model, and the early identification of mental health issues and evidence-based practices. This program option combines the Human Services behavioral core skills training and clinical supervised experiential learning in Cooperative Work Experience mental health fieldwork settings.

A minimum grade of “C” in all courses is required to receive the degree.

Completion of the nine (9) Mental Health Core Courses are prerequisites for the Mental Health Worker Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) [Internship] and is required for the completion of the Mental Health Worker Program. Visit the Human Services website at https://www .saddleback.edu/hs/human-services for the Mental Health Worker Roadmap chart. CWE Information Sessions are scheduled in Spring semesters to inform students of the CWE orientation and placement process. Check the Human Services website or Facebook page for the dates and times.

Potential Careers: Mental Health Worker I, Peer Mentor, House Monitor, Group Facilitator, Activities Coordinator, Intake Specialist, Mental Health Care Advocate, Case Worker, Care Giver.

Program Student Learning Outcomes


Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate multiple approaches in their work with the mental health and co-occurring populations.
  • Apply the principles of the Recovery Model to mental health interventions.
  • Impart appropriate intervention practices to use with individuals and families impacted by mental health and/or co-occurring disorders.
  • Use Mental Health Services behavioral core skills training and experiential learning in mental health settings.

Total Units for the Major: 29


*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.

†Recommended to be taken in last semester of program.

Associate of Science Degree


Complete a minimum of 60 units including the total number of units described above and the General Education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate of Science degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.

General Education Requirements for Associate Degrees


Refer to the Graduation Requirements  or to the CSU-GE and IGETC patterns in this catalog for specific courses which meet general education requirements. Refer to ASSIST.org and to the transfer institution’s catalog for transfer requirements.

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