Mental Health, Social Service and Addiction Counseling: Youth Worker - Certificate
Overview
See Department website and program contacts here
The Youth Worker certificate is designed for students seeking careers supporting children, adolescents, and young adults in community and social service settings. The curriculum introduces foundational helping skills and prepares students to work with youth experiencing behavioral, social, emotional, or environmental challenges.
Coursework includes topics such as support services, outreach, conflict resolution, intervention strategies, and communication skills. Students develop practical skills used to assist and advocate for youth in a variety of educational, community, and human services environments.
The Youth Worker program is workforce-focused and prepares students for entry-level roles supporting at-risk youth in schools, nonprofit organizations, community programs, and social service agencies. Students enrolled in the Mental Health, Social Service, and Addiction Counseling (MHSSAC) degree program receive the Youth Worker certificate after completing the first year of coursework.
Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to ensure appropriate course selection and program planning based on their educational background and career goals.
Refer to the tabs above for additional information about:
- Education Plan – provides a sample term-by-term sequence of courses
- Career Info – includes information on potential occupations, employment trends, and earnings
Program Learning Objectives
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the values and ethics that are intrinsic to the social service profession
- Demonstrate professional interviewing skills
- Demonstrate writing skills appropriate to clinical documentation
Education Plan
This sample Education Plan illustrates one possible course sequence. Students should consult an advisor to create a personalized plan.
Students who complete this certificate program have the option of continuing their coursework toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Mental Health, Social Service and Addictions Counseling. Most certificate coursework will apply toward the degree.
| First Quarter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| HS101 | Introduction to Social Services | 3 |
| HS114 | Listening Skills I | 2 |
| MTH065 or MTH058 | Beginning Algebra II (or higher) or Quantitative Reasoning I | 4-6 |
| Credits | 9-11 | |
| Second Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| HS115 | Listening Skills II | 2 |
| HS150 | The Effective Helper, A Personal Skills Approach | 3 |
| SOC213 | Race Relations in the United States (Cultural Literacy course) | 4 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| PSY201Z | Introduction to Psychology I (Or Related Elective if PSY201Z is already completed) | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Third Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| HS291 | Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| WE280HSD | Coop Ed-Human Services | 4 |
| PSY237 | Human Development | 4 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS225 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| HS291 | Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| WE280HSD | Coop Ed-Human Services | 4 |
| Related Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48-50 | |
Related Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJA230 | Juvenile Crime and the Juvenile Justice Process (fall) | 3 |
| HD208 | Career and Life Planning | 3 |
| HE261 | CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (fall, winter, spring) | 1 |
| HS222 | Diagnosis and Treatment: Clinical Disorders | 3 |
Awarding Requirements
The following requirement(s) must be fulfilled to be awarded the Mental Health, Social Service and Addiction Counseling: Youth Worker certificate:
- All core program courses (HS) must be completed within five (5) years of starting the program.
Career Information
Explore potential careers related to this program, including typical job roles, employment trends, and projected growth. This information can help you better understand how your education may align with future career opportunities.
Cultural Literacy course