Human Services Degree

The human services program at East Los Angeles College prepare students for careers as a social and human service assistant, community health worker, or community and social service specialist. The program focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services, as well as preparing individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. Program courses include: social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, and social services law and administration. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer human services degrees.

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East Los Angeles College

Also known as The Dominican School

2301 Vine Street, Berkeley, CA

East Los Angeles College (ELAC) serves 14 communities in the suburban area around Monterey Park and has a diverse student body.  ELAC offers occupational training and certificate programs as well as Associate's Degrees and transfer courses for students transferring to four-year universities.  Transfer students may continue their studies at California State University-Los Angeles or University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), among others.

ELAC also offers online or "hybrid" courses that allow students to earn online Associate's Degrees in General Studies with an emphasis in either Arts & Humanities or Social & Behavioral Sciences.

ELAC excels at preparing its students for professional careers such as criminal justice, medical coding, nursing and respiratory therapy, and more.  The college provides tutoring study groups, clubs and community projects that help students prepare for their careers and build their resumes.

The East Los Angeles College Vision:

"East Los Angeles College endeavors to be an exemplary model for student academic, technological and artistic achievement. Through our evolving physical and technological infrastructures, designed to facilitate teaching, learning and cultural expression, we will become the first choice in higher education and the cultural center of our diverse community."

Academics

East Los Angeles College (ELAC) offers Fall and Spring semesters, as well as a four-week Winter Session.

ELAC has a program called "The Adelante First Year Experience" to help students succeed in the first year of their study program to transfer to a four-year university. The First Year Experience includes integrated resources such as student services, linked courses, positive learning environments, and excellent faculty.

ELAC's other transfer student resources and programs include:

• CSUDH Pathways
• Faculty Transfer Advisors
• Honors
• MESA
• Puente
• Transfer Academy
• UCLA - CCCP
• UC Berkeley TAP

ELAC offers programs for Associates Degrees that generally take two years to complete, shorter-term certificate programs and Skills Certificates for specific occupations that take 11 units or less to complete.

ELAC also offers a program called CalWORKS: California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, which provides training and support services to students receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).  Students enrolled in CalWORKS will have access to information, vocational training, liaison with Department of Public Social Services, child care assistance and referrals, work study assignments, career development (job skills, resumes, interview skills, job opportunities), learning assistance and tutoring.

Academic Departments

East Los Angeles College doesn't have separate schools, but has 28 different academic departments.

• Administration of Justice
• Anthro/Geo/Geology
• Architecture
• Art
• Auto Technology
• Business Administration
• Chemistry
• Chicano Studies
• Child, Family and Education Studies
• Computer Applications and Office Technologies
• Counseling
• Electronics
• Engineering
• English
• Foreign Language
• Journalism
• Library Science
• Life Science
• Mathematics
• Music
• Nursing
• Photography
• Men's Physical Education
• Women's Physical Education
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Social Sciences
• Speech and Theatre Arts

Student Life

The East Los Angeles College campus has many student services and amenities including a student activities center with a computer center, an instructional center, bookstore, cafeteria, library, auditorium, sports stadium, and an indoor swim stadium.

Social and cultural programs, as well as student clubs, are available through the Associated Students' Organization.

Traditions

The motto of East Los Angeles College is "Start Here and Go Anywhere."  ELAC has traditionally been the college of choice for its diverse community in the East Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley areas.

Athletics

There are 14 competitive intercollegiate sports offered at ELAC, which competes in the South Coast Conference, Southern California Football Association and Southern California Wrestling Alliance. There is also a marching band and pep squad at ELAC that participate in athletic events.

ELAC Huskies Sport teams include:

• Men's Baseball
• Men's Basketball
• Cross Country
• Men's Football
• Men's Soccer
• Track & Field
• Men's Wrestling
• Women's Badminton
• Women's Basketball
• Women's Softball
• Women's Volleyball

The Athletic amenities at ELAC include a 22,000-seat stadium that has field turf for football, a track surface, jumbo screen scoreboard, an indoor swim stadium, two gyms and a softball facility.

Community Life

East Los Angeles College is located 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the suburban community of Monterey Park.  There are a variety of recreational activities near campus due to its proximity to the desert, mountains, beaches and many amusement parks and tourist attractions of Southern California.

Career Options for Graduates

Social and Community Service Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, social and community service managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.5% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $40.07
  • Average Annual Salary: $83330
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $37.56
  • Average Annual Salary: $78120

Social and Human Service Assistants

Description

Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, social and human service assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 11.4% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.59
  • Average Annual Salary: $38670
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $19.54
  • Average Annual Salary: $40650

Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

Description

All community and social service specialists not listed separately.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, community and social service specialists, all other employment is expected to grow at a rate of 8.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 600
  • Average Hourly Rate: $26.98
  • Average Annual Salary: $56110
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 570
  • Average Hourly Rate: $24.12
  • Average Annual Salary: $50160

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).