Behavioral Sciences

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Behavioral Sciences provides a general education as well as focused coursework in human behavior to prepare students to assist, as part of a clinical team, in the care of individuals and families dealing with mental illness, addictions and substance use, trauma, developmental disabilities, comorbid medical conditions, and challenging behaviors. Focuses on the skills necessary to deliver specialized and comprehensive behavioral health and social services. This program prepares students for industry certification and is embedded in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Behavioral Sciences available at MCCCD.

Details

Offered At
Glendale, South Mountain
Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Behavioral Sciences (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3067
Total credits required
63-71
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn
  • Distinguish the role, function, and responsibilities of various mental health professions. (BHS150, BHS160, BHS170, BHS175, BHS180, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, BHS215)
  • Assess the comprehensive bio-psycho-social needs of diverse client populations in behavioral health and social service settings. (BHS150, BHS165, BHS170, BHS175, BHS180, BHS185, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, [FYC], (COM), (CRE), [SG], [SQ])
  • Evaluate evidence-based behavioral health interventions using assessment and outcome measures. (BHS150, BHS160, BHS165, BHS170, BHS175, BHS180, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, BHS215, [FYC], [MA], (CRE), [HU], [SG], [SQ])
  • Demonstrate ethical interpersonal and communication skills important in establishing and maintaining relationships. (BHS150, BHS155, BHS160, BHS165, BHS170, BHS175, BHS180, BHS185, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, BHS215, [FYC], (COM), (CRE), [HU])
  • Assist clients with substance use and co-occurring disorders in their recovery. (BHS150, BHS160, BHS165, BHS175, BHS205, BHS210, BHS215)
  • Apply the principles of trauma-informed care with diverse client populations. (BHS150, BHS155, BHS160, BHS175, BHS180, BHS185, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, BHS215)
  • Practice methods to resolve current symptoms and prevent future effects of burnout, traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue. (BHS155, BHS160, BHS165, BHS175, BHS190, [HU])
  • Manage crisis/trauma situations while engaging in appropriate self care to promote professional resilience and personal safety. (BHS155, BHS160, BHS165, BHS175, BHS185, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, BHS215)
  • Manage individual cases as part of a multidisciplinary team, in a fashion that best serves the patient and simultaneously protects the practitioner. (BHS155, BHS160, BHS165, BHS170, BHS175, BHS180, BHS185, BHS190, BHS205, BHS210, (COM))
  • Implement treatment plans developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. (BHS160, BHS170, BHS180, BHS185, BHS205, BHS210, [FYC], [MA], (COM), (CRE), [HU])
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)
Program prerequisites
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:0
None
Required courses
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:35-37
BHS150Introduction to Behavioral Health and Social Services3
BHS155Professional Resiliency and Well-Being3
BHS160Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling Services3
BHS165Applied Therapeutic Communication Skills3
BHS170Case Management and Clinical Documentation3
BHS180Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy3
Note: The above courses are required in the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Foundations of Behavioral Sciences (5522)
 
BHS175Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment3
BHS185Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health3
BHS190Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Human Services1
BHS205Introduction to Individual Counseling Theories3
BHS210Addictions, Substance Use Disorders, and Recovery3
BHS215Introduction to Group Therapy3
Note: The above courses are required in the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Advanced Behavioral Sciences (5521)
 
FYE101Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3)1-3
Restricted Electives
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:6
Students must choose six (6) credits from one of the following specializations:
 
Specialization 1: Trauma and Crisis Stabilization
BHS230Crisis and Trauma Stabilization3
BHS235Emergency Mental Health Crisis Response and Recovery3
 
Specialization 2: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
BHS275Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (3) OR
CFS177Parent-Child Interaction (3)3
 
BHS272Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Interventions3
CFS235Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight3
EED210Creative and Cognitive Play3
(If EED210 is selected, CFS235 will need to be selected unless another requisite option has been met)
 
Specialization 3: Addiction and Substance Use Disorders
ASD110Pharmacology of Substances of Abuse and Dependency3
 
ASD245Co-Occurring Disorders (2) AND
ASD120Professional Ethics in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders (1) OR
ASD145AIDS and Addiction (1)3
 
BHS251Harm Reduction in Addiction, Substance Use, and Social Services3
 
Specialization 4: Developmental Disabilities
BHS271Developmental Disabilities Assistance Training3
PSY241Understanding and Changing Behavior3
PSY243The Psychology of Developmental Disabilities3
 
Specialization 5: Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
PSY267Introduction to Forensic Psychology3
 
AJS101Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) OR
AJS200Current Issues In Criminal Justice (3) OR
AJS225Criminology (3)3
 
Specialization 6: Mental Health
BHS230Crisis and Trauma Stabilization (3) OR
BHS235Emergency Mental Health Crisis Response and Recovery (3)3
 
BHS251Harm Reduction in Addiction, Substance Use, and Social Services3
BHS255Health and Wellness Coaching in Professional Resiliency3
BHS262Behavioral Health Service Techniques for the Elderly3
BHS266Violence and Abuse Services3
BHS269Grief Support Techniques3
BHS271Developmental Disabilities Assistance Training3
BHS272Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Interventions3
BHS275Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health3
CPD180Human Resilience: Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Applications3
PSY266Psychological Disorders3
General education requirements
General Education RequirementCredits: 22-28
 
General Education CoreCredits: 12-18
 
First-Year CompositionCredits: 6
ENG101First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG107First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND
ENG102First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG108First-Year Composition for ESL (3) OR
ENG111Technical and Professional Writing (3)6
 
ENG102or ENG108 recommended for students considering pursuing a bachelor`s degree.
 
Oral CommunicationCredits: 3
COM100Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR
COM110Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
COM225Public Speaking (3) OR
COM230Small Group Communication (3)3
 
Critical ReadingCredits: 0-3
CRE101College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0)0-3
 
MathematicsCredits: 3-6
MAT140College Mathematics (5) OR
MAT141College Mathematics (4) OR
MAT142College Mathematics (3) OR
MAT145College Mathematics with Review (5) OR
MAT146College Mathematics with Review (6) OR
Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area (3-6)3-6
 
General Education DistributionCredits: 10
 
Humanities and Fine ArtsCredits: 3
Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area3
 
HCR210Clinical Health Care Ethics recommended.
 
Social and Behavioral SciencesCredits: 3
PSY101Introduction to Psychology3
 
Natural SciencesCredits: 4
Any approved general education course from the Natural Sciences area (4)
 
BIO160Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology recommended for students intending to pursue the MCCCD Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science.

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