The Anoka Technical College Community Social Services Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a 60-credit program designed to prepare students to become direct service providers or designated coordinators in settings where vulnerable or at-risk people are housed or treated. Direct service providers are the caregivers in these settings and the designated coordinators oversee the daily activities of the setting.
The program exposes students to the laws, rules, and regulations surrounding the care and treatment of vulnerable people, specifically developmentally and cognitively disabled people. Additionally, the program trains students how to best support developmentally disabled people, as well as to understand the psychological characteristics of and treatments for various developmental and cognitive disabilities.
Additionally, program coursework also helps define the roles of the direct service provider, designated coordinator and social worker as advocates and resource providers, helping vulnerable clients and residents receive care and services. Coursework in social work, social services, and the broad base of sociology and psychology classes taken as part of this program will prove valuable for those students who which to transfer to a four-year institution to potentially major in human services, psychology, social work or sociology
Course Prerequisites
Some courses may require appropriate test score or completion of basic math, basic English and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.
• BIOL 1106 Principles of Biology requires a Reading score of 78 or higher on the Accuplacer, or appropriate test score, or completion of READ 0900 or READ 0960.
• ENGL 1107 Composition I requires a Reading score of 78 or higher on the Accuplacer, or appropriate test score, or completion of READ 0900 or READ 0960 and ENGL 0900 or ENGL 0960.
Program Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.
- Students apply skills in a meaningful way (Demonstrating higher level thinking-analysis evaluation, and synthesis)
- Performance assessment allows for evaluation of attitudes/dispositions.
- Student develop and create original responses to the topic.
Background Study
Minnesota Law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state. An individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate at a clinical site. The student has the right to request reconsideration of the disqualification. For consideration to continue in the program the student must request reconsideration and provide a copy of such request. The student is responsible for requesting the commissioner to reconsider the disqualification.
Program Sequence
| Fall Semester |
17 |
| CSS 1010 |
Direct Service Professionalism |
3 |
| CSS 1040 |
Facilitating Positive Behaviors |
3 |
ENGL 1107
|
Composition I
|
4
|
PSYC 1406
|
General Psychology
|
4 |
| SPCH 1200 |
Interpersonal Communication
|
3 |
| OR |
|
|
SPCH 1500
|
Intercultural Communication
|
3
|
| Spring Semester |
14 |
| CSS 1020 |
Physical Developmental Supports I |
3 |
| CSS 1030 |
Person Centered Planning |
3 |
| CSS 1570 |
Introduction to Social Work |
3 |
| HLTH 1040 |
Medical Terminology |
2 |
| SOSC 1010 |
Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| Fall Semester |
16 |
| BIOL 1106 |
Principles of Biology |
4 |
| CSS 1550 |
Social Service Projects |
3 |
| CSS 1560 |
Social Welfare Services |
3 |
| CSS 2050 |
Supportive Interventions |
4 |
| HLTH 1000 |
Disease Conditions |
2 |
| Spring Semester |
13 |
| CSS 2020 |
Physical Developmental Supports II |
3 |
| CSS 2100 |
CSS Internship |
4 |
| MnTC General Education Elective |
Choose two (2) credits from the MnTC goal area |
2 |
PSCY 1506
|
Lifespan Development
|
4
|
OR
|
|
|
| PSCY 1606 |
Abnormal Psychology |
4 |
Graduation Requirements
All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (AAS), diploma, or certificate must meet the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
Transfer Opportunities
To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College programs or into another college, please visit:
Industry Information
Students graduating from the Community Social Service (CSS) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program are eligible for positions in several areas in the health, human services and education fields with children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens. The graduating student may serve a variety of at-risk populations including people with disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse, poverty and disadvantaged.
Students who may be interested in social work, sociology, psychology or other health-related areas may want to consider the CSS program as a well-rounded educational base to support further development of generalist skills at a four-year institution.
Wages/Outlook/Advancement