SWHS Program and Courses Questions
How do I start the SWHS Program?
Interested students need to first review the SWHS Program page and SWHS Department page, then register and attend a SWHS Program Orientation and SWHS Department events.
Can I start the SWHS Program with any course?
Students need to review the Program Maps and enroll in SWHS 300 and/or 302 to start the SWHS Program.
Please review the SWHS Program page and meet with a counselor for course planning help. You cannot take all of these classes in the same semester. The program requires completing foundational/intro courses before the other more interactive courses (such as SWHS 360, 364, 376 and 498, or HSER equivalent courses) so that you are prepared to apply the skills in your coursework, internship, and the field of social work and human services.
Students need to start the program by attending a SWHS Program Orientation.
What is the SWHS Program Application? How do I apply to the program?
Submit the SWHS Application during open timeframes.
The SWHS Program at CRC is a career technical education program; this means students have hands-on practical experience. SWHS student learn skills throughout their coursework to prepare for their internships. Students are assigned a “cohort” of other students with similar career goals. Students can apply to the program as they are completing their “enrollment eligibility” courses.
Requirements
Interested students are encouraged to complete the following courses before planning for internships, or more interactive courses in the SWHS Program.
Complete each course with a C or better; program prerequisite courses as outlined:
- SWHS 300 Introduction to Social Work & Human Services
- SWHS 302 Introduction to the Psychology of Human Relationships
Psychology:
- PSYC 300 Introduction to Psychology (PSYC C1000 (formerly PSYC 300)
Sociology (both are advised for transfer students):
- SOC 301 Introductory Sociology
- SOC 321 Social Problems
To be prepared for role play and interactive case studies, students are advised to complete Interpersonal Communications (or one equivalent communication/speech course):
- COMM 321 Interpersonal Communications
or - COMM 325 Intercultural Communication
What is the SWHS Program Manual? Do I need to read it?
The SWHS Program Manual explains the following:
- Program/Degree and Certificates
- Cohort Sequence
- SWHS Program Mission and Values
- Student Oath
There is additional information about internship requirements and other tools/resources students need to complete the SWHS Program.
Does the SWHS Program have online classes? Will I need to learn how to use Zoom, Canvas, and other digital
tools?
Yes, there are some courses offered online, and some of the more interactive courses, such as SWHS 360 and SWHS 364, may be offered on-ground.
Students also need to use Zoom and Canvas with great confidence to complete courses and engage in graded activities. Please review our Program Maps to learn course offerings.
Is there a SWHS class I start with to learn more about education and career planning?
Students need to review the Program Maps and enroll in SWHS 300 and/or 302 to start the SWHS Program.
Students need to start the program by attending a SWHS Program Orientation.
What are the types of assignments/activities SWHS students complete in classes?
Please review the SWHS Program page and meet with a counselor for course planning help. You cannot take all of these classes in the same semester. The program requires completing foundational/intro courses before the other more advanced courses (such as SWHS 360, 364, 367, and 498, or SWHS equivalent courses) so that you are prepared to apply the skills in your coursework, practicum, and the field of social work and human services.
SWHS 300, 302, and 350 are foundational courses that help you think about career planning and education requirements. Students explore careers, understand case studies, and consider the ethical/legal/clinical care in case management and related counseling fields.
Are there differences between credentials/certifications and college degrees? Is HSER the same as SWHS?
At CRC, HSER changed to SWHS in 2025. HSER courses are equivalent to SWHS courses at CRC (FLC).
How do I graduate from the SWHS Program?
Read all the FAQ’s on this page, and enroll in SWHS 300 or 302 to begin your education journey at CRC! Enroll in the SWHS Internship Readiness Participation Course; Spring 2027.
SWHS Internship Questions
What are internship requirements for CRC’S SWHS Program?
Students must complete the required courses/prerequisites, create a plan/approach for their internship, review existing employer agreements, and complete SWHE 350. Details about site requirements are found in the SWHS Program Manual and/or provided to students currently enrolled in SWHS courses.
Enroll in the SWHS Internship Readiness Participation Course; in Spring 2027, enroll in SWHS 300 and/302 and attend the SWHS Program Orientation.
How do I find internships?
Enroll in the SWHS Internship Readiness Participation Course; in Spring 2027, enroll in SWHS 300 and/302 and attend the SWHS Program Orientation.
Upcoming SWHS Orientations and Events
The Work Experience Department (WEXP) can support students in locating internships/employment opportunities that meet the SWHS Requirements. Students must already know the SWHS requirements prior to seeking help from WEXP.
Example: SWHS students have identified three internship opportunities, have a completed resume, understand credentials/certifications, supervisor and site requirements, and finally follow guidelines from any regulatory board for credentials such as AOD/SUD or the CWC-I or II.
What are internship site qualifications for SWHS students to enroll in internship courses?
Site Requirements (Internship Requirements):
- A community-based agency (CBO) that is a Non-Profit or similar organization with public funding
- County-based programs and/or agencies that have behavioral health providers on site
- In-Home Facilities such as IHSS services, or Home Daycare centers are not accepted for SWHS (Spring 2027)
What are supervisor qualifications? What are the requirements for site supervisors during my internship placement?
It is the responsibility of registration and certification applicants (often the student) to ensure that all supervised externship hours (closely supervised) performed in a practicum or for credit toward work experience requirements for certification are verified by a professional who is qualified by meeting one of the definitions below.
- Any CADC I, CADC II, CCAPP CCS, IC&RC ICCS, LAADC, LAADC-S
- Any person who has documented education, training, and experience that is comparable to, or exceeds the above certifications
Externship/practicum hours are closely supervised, which means a qualified supervisor must be in the same room when an intern is practicing counseling skills or performing any function described in the four domains or 12 core functions.
Work experience hours (2080+ hours) are not closely supervised, and therefore, the individual only needs to have a qualified supervisor at the facility where the work is being performed to evaluate the quality of work and perform clinical supervision.
Source: CCAPP Credentialing
Who do I contact if I have issues with a site or internship course enrollment? What are ways I can get help if something goes wrong while completing my internship hours?
The Work Experience Department (WEXP) can support students in locating internships/employment opportunities that meet the SWHS Requirements. Students must already know the SWHS requirements prior to seeking help from WEXP.
Example: SWHS students have identified three internship opportunities, have a completed resume, understand credentials/certifications, supervisor and site requirements, and finally follow guidelines from any regulatory board for credentials such as AOD/SUD or the CWC-I or II.
What do I do to be prepared for an internship?
Enroll in the SWHS Internship Readiness Participation Course; in Spring 2027, enroll in SWHS 300 and/302 and attend the SWHS Program Orientation. Complete SWHS 300 and 302, then enroll in SWHS 350 while completing the psychology and sociology courses required for the SWHS degree/certificate.
For help with placement options and a plan for an internship, SWHS students must be enrolled in courses to learn about internship readiness. Students are required to contact agencies with employer agreements that meet SWHS program requirements, and follow the process to “volunteer”.
Students must attend and participate in the internship orientation that the SWHS department offers in Fall semesters.
Upcoming SWHS Orientations and Events
The Work Experience Department (WEXP) can support students in locating internships/employment opportunities that meet the SWHS Requirements. Students must already know the SWHS requirements prior to seeking help from WEXP.
Example: SWHS students have identified three internship opportunities, have a completed resume, understand credentials/certifications, supervisor and site requirements, and finally follow guidelines from any regulatory board for credentials such as AOD/SUD or the CWC-I or II.
Is the SWHS 498 a Work Experience Course? How do I learn more about internships and career readiness?
The SWHS 498 course is taught by the Work Experience Department. Students complete a “co-requisite” and are enrolled in SWHS 367 for legal/clinical/ethics/case management and related SWHS learning outcomes. The SWHS 498 Course, is to ensure students are “prepared” for the workforce and learning employment skills.
Advisory: Enroll in the SWHS Internship Readiness Participation Course; in Spring 2027, enroll in SWHS 300 and/302 and attend the SWHS Program Orientation. Attend a Handshake event or other career fairs to learn more about internship opportunities.
Chemical Dependency Certificate Questions
Does a Chemical Dependency certificate externship have to be approved by the department before the hours can apply?
Yes, all sites must be approved by the HSER/SWHS department chair before applying to the site for your externship/externship. Students are provided with approved externship lists in several courses and also when they enroll in the externship courses. Students can only be concurrently enrolled (at the same time) in HSER 362 (or an equivalent course) and HSER 498 (or an equivalent course). These courses are taught by different professors, and students are required to have approved externship sites to enroll in each class. In addition, students seeking a Chemical Dependency degree must register with an approved regulating agency for Substance Abuse Counseling to gain any hours towards this credential. CRC currently recommends CCAPP.
Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling Regulating Agencies
Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California
A California Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor Certification Agency (DHCS approved and NCCA accredited)
What level of supervision is the externship required to have?
Students in an associate degree program must be supervised by a person with a bachelors degree or masters degree (or equivalent training and experience). These can include, licensed behavioral health therapists (LMFT, LPCC, and LCSW), also medical professionals such as nurses, psychiatric nurses, and other medical doctors who may supervise SUD counselors. In addition, we require a minimum credential higher than the current one you are seeking.
To see further requirements, please see Supervisor Qualifications: CCAPP Credentialing.
For WEXP 498, would my volunteer hours as a facilitator for group peer support recovery meetings apply?
No; there are specific requirements for students seeking a Chemical Dependency degree or certificate in addition to their credentialing requirements. More importantly, those hours can only be done under the following conditions:
- Students have applied for an approved externship site, prior to enrolling in the HSER 362 and HSER 498 course (taken together).
- Students must start their externship while enrolled in the HSER 362 and HSER 498 courses; no exceptions.
- Students are correctly credentialed as a Substance, Addiction, or Chemical Dependency counselor with the appropriate regulatory agency prior to enrolling in any externship/externship or work experience course.
- Students who are currently working as volunteer or in employment positions at an agency may not be able to use that same agency for their externship. Please schedule an appointment with the department chair in addition to attending program orientation sessions to get clarity on this question.
- Both professors from HSER 498 and HSER 362 must approve sites with documented site supervisors that meet course requirements and college standards prior to beginning an externship/externship.
Am I required to major in Human Services in order for hours applied in 498 WEXP to count towards a Chemical Dependency Certificate?
You cannot use the same hours from Social Work/Human Services for the Chemical Dependency degrees/certificates. The main reason is that the Chemical Dependency degree has a regulating agency and very specific requirements to be a “Substance Abuse Counselor” - there are no exceptions here. Human Service majors do not have specific requirements to enter the field of Human Services.
Students who are seeking a double major would need to earn the hours for each degree or certificate they are seeking.
- 120 hours for their Human Services degree/certificate and
- 255 hours for their Chemical Dependency degree/certificate.
Students may use their Chemical Dependency hours if they are not dual majors and later decide to change their major from Chemical Dependency to Human Services but are not permitted to go back and forth with these majors. However, this type of request from a student requires a meeting with a counselor and the department chair, and an updated education plan provided to the department chair upon request.
Can an HSER graduate or former student have their hours “signed off" by the professor of the practicum course and work experience course?
Unfortunately, professors of the program/college do not keep records of hours, accruals, substance abuse counselor credentials for CCAPP or others.