Social Work and Chemical Dependency (SWCD) Courses
SWCD 299 Experimental Offering in Social Work and Chemical Dependency
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
SWCD 300 Introduction to Social Work
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a comprehensive overview of the fields of social work, human services, and mental health in public and private agencies. Students examine the historical policies, legislative acts, key individuals and social circumstances that shaped human services, social work and mental health within the United States. The emphasis of this course is placed on knowledge, skills and abilities in the understanding of roles as health workers, developing competence in culturally-responsive practices, enhancing and developing communication skills in the helping field, and examining attitudes and values that enhance effective intervention in problem situations. It also emphasizes the roles and skills of associate professionals, such as but not limited to drug and alcohol counselors, mental health workers, activity directors with the elderly, and adolescent and child welfare assistants. It is required that students volunteer at an off-campus site location for 8 hours. Additionally, students will also explore the various career and academic pathways in the field. This course was previously known as HSER 300 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course.
SWCD 310 Ethical Issues and Client's Rights
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:HSER 300 or SWCD 300
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a comprehensive exploration of the basic ethical issues involving social work delivery. Topics include professional ethics, confidentiality, counselor and clients' rights, and other areas involving ethical controversies. This course was previously known as HSER 310 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course.
SWCD 330 Issues of Diverse Populations
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a study of the values, problems, issues, concerns, and counseling needs of diverse populations by race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical/cognitive/emotional/developmental ability, and age. It also explores the cognitive and emotional aspects of prejudice as it relates to interpersonal, cultural, and institutional discrimination. This course was previously known as HSER 330 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course or to students who have completed PSYC 365.
SWCD 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency
- Same As:PSYC 400
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course examines the biopsychosociocultural effects of chemical dependency on the individual and the family. It includes an analysis of alcohol and drug use; misuse and abuse across age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and economic conditions contributing to substance abuse; and a description of community efforts at prevention and treatment. This course was previously known as HSER 340 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course or to students who have completed PSYC 400.
SWCD 341 Physiology and Pharmacology: Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 340, PSYC 400, and SWCD 340 with grades of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a study of the absorption, metabolism, and the mechanism of action of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs including opiates, stimulants, depressants, cannabinoids, and psychedelics. It includes the pharmacological mechanisms as well as the social and psychological implications of tolerance, habituation, and substance abuse of the user and abuser. This course was previously known as HSER 341 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course or to students who have completed PSYC 401.
SWCD 342 Alcoholism: Intervention, Treatment & Recovery
- Same As:PSYC 402
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 341, PSYC 401, and SWCD 341 with grades of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a study and evaluation of techniques used in the treatment of alcohol dependency. This course will cover both physical and psychological effects of alcohol use, abuse and the impact on family and society. Topics include prevention, intervention, individual and group counseling, detoxification, twelve-step program, therapeutic communities, aftercare programs, harm reduction and addressing high risk drinking. This course was previously known as HSER 341 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course or to students who have completed PSYC 402.
SWCD 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 300 and SWCD 300 with grades of "C" or better
- Corequisite:HSER 310 or SWCD 310
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
The course includes: a survey of interview and counseling techniques appropriate for paraprofessionals in mental health, corrections, and substance abuse counseling. It includes case management practices and skills. Practices and skills include: interviewing techniques, using assessment forms, developing treatment plans, monitoring referrals, notetaking and documentation, learning and practicing effective communication. This course was previously known as HSER 360 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course.
SWCD 362 Practices in Social Work and Chemical Dependency
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:Students must take HSER/SWCD 498 (Work Experience in Human Services) concurrently unless they are in the second semester of their Chemical Dependency internship and have already successfully completed HSER/SWCD 365 (Techniques of Group Counseling).
- Enrollment Limitation:Completion of the American River College Human Services process for doing an internship.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides advanced study and applied integration of human services theory to prepare students for field experience. It covers techniques in applying concepts, values, and skills acquired in other core courses related to the process of helping others. Students must take HSER/SWCD 498 concurrently unless they are in the second semester of their Chemical Dependency internship and have already successfully completed HSER/SWCD 365. This course was previously known as HSER 362 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course.
SWCD 365 Techniques of Group Counseling
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 360 and SWCD 360 with grades of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course covers the basic elements of group counseling with the goal of developing effective techniques for conducting groups. Ethical issues are compared and analyzed. Emphasis is on the use of facilitating skills, exploring group dynamics, understanding group procedures and knowledge of the stages of group process. This course was previously known as HSER 365 and is not open to students who successfully completed that course.
SWCD 498 Work Experience in Social Work and Chemical Dependency
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Before students can participate in the Work Experience program, Los Rios Community College District must have a signed Employer Agreement on file with the student’s employer. If the employer already has an active agreement with the district (viewable at losrios.edu/wexpemployeragreement), no further action is required. In addition, students must have a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job that aligns with their career goals and a cooperating worksite supervisor who will sign all required course documents. Dual enrollment students are not permitted to enroll in Work Experience courses.
Students are advised to consult with the Human Services Program faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
- Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides students with opportunities to reflect on their current skills, knowledge and abilities and explore how these are work assets and how these can be enhanced and/or developed to increase employability within the field of human services. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in transfer-level degree occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at an approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.
During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units.
Students new to Work Experience will be required to engage weekly while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. All students are required to attend the first course meeting.
Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times. Students are encouraged to develop new or expanded learning objectives in consultation with their employer when the course is repeated. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.
SWCD 499 Experimental Offering in Social Work and Chemical Dependency
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
