BAS in Applied Behavioral Science

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Applied Behavioral Science

Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BAS)

Seattle Central College offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Applied Behavioral Science that is designed to provide you with the education you need to become a leader in the human services field. This program started in 2009, as the only one of its kind in the region, providing a pathway to a four-year degree and career advancement for students with associate degrees in Social and Human Services, Early Childhood and Family Studies, Chemical Dependency, and other related programs, as well as, General Transfer degrees (e.g.: AA/DTA).

The program is designed for people who want to work in human services fields such as, but not limited to: Social Services, Mental Health/Counseling, Chemical Dependency and Rehabilitation, Youth and Family Support Services, Early Childhood Education/Child Welfare, Prevention and Early Intervention, Community Development and Housing, Policy and Advocacy, and many more!

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Credits
Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BAS) Full Time: 6
Part Time: 7
180.0

Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

Meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.50.

Have completed a two year degree (such as an AAS, AAS–T, ATA, AAA) in Social and Human Services, Child and Family Studies, Interpreter Training, or a related human services degree.

Be eligible for Math 098 (Intermediate Algebra).

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss specific career goals and recommended coursework.


For current employment and wage estimates, please visit the following online resources and search for the relevant occupational term:

All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (206) 934-4068. There are additional costs for books and supplies. Each student is responsible for the purchase of certain supplies and required tools before the instruction begins.

Part Time Cost

Resident Non-Resident International
$43,218.00 $46,339.20 $121,446.00

Worker Friendly: this program is offered at times and in formats that meet the needs of working adults. This includes:
• Evening Courses with a start time of 6:00 PM
• Virtual, with some in-person instruction

Worker Friendly

This program is offered at times and in formats that meet the needs of working adults. This includes:

  • Evening
  • Courses with a start time of 4:00 PM or later.

Worker Friendly

This program is offered at times and in formats that meet the needs of working adults. This includes:

  • Weekend
  • Courses offered on Saturday or Sunday

Coursework

Course Course ID Credits Availability

Develops academic writing and research skills required for success in advanced studies in human services. Covers technical writing conventions and skills needed to develop reports and documents for the workplace.

ABS 206 5.0

Examines ethical principles in the field of human services, including client interactions, peer-to-peer interactions, working with various communities, and the impact of ethics/ethical decisions. Prerequisite: Permission.

ABS 310 5.0

Examines the application of social psychological concepts and systems theory in human service settings including prevention, policy analysis, groups, professional and client relationships, and multi-cultural competence.

ABS 320 5.0

Intro to organization, retrieval and evaluation of electronic and print information: college library systems, networked information systems, traditional scholarly resources, and concepts of research. Examine specialized resources of various Social and Human Services disciplines.

ABS 330 5.0

Investigates the relationship between environment and the human condition. Explores human needs and experiences based on the health of their environment, specific challenges posed by degraded environments and unequal access to healthy environments. Focus on developing environmental literacy and familiarity with tools for promoting environmental justice. Local field trips may be required.

ABS 340 5.0

Explores the quantitative organization of data central to scientific research and assessment design in applied behavioral sciences.

ABS 350 5.0

Learn the art and science of providing problem-solving advice to government decision-makers, managers, and citizens in order to influence government processes. Understand theoretical frameworks, problem definition, development of alternative solutions, predicting impact of choices, policy evaluation and modification of policies through policy case studies.

ABS 360 5.0

Explores the nature and scope of political economy by examining its historical evolution. Conducts a comparative analysis of contemporary political and economic systems and analyzes how public service relates to political economy through taxation and finance.

ABS 410 5.0

Develops an understanding of theories, research and applications pertaining to the process of cross-cultural competency. Students examine cultural assumptions, values, perceptual and cognitive orientations, cultural stereotypes, prejudice, ethnocentrism, non-verbal behaviors, language, and meaning systems in cross-cultural interactions between people from diverse cultural and ethnic groups.

ABS 415 5.0

Examines the trends, issues, and debates regarding the social construction of families; and, how changes in families relate to social, economic, global and political changes in the larger social structure. Students develop critical thinking and analytic skills by drawing on empirical research, personal histories, current events, and public policy issues.

ABS 430 5.0

Students demonstrate their mastery of learning in the field of Applied Behavioral Science. Under the guidance and direction of instructors, they will evaluate their overall educational experience and individual professional direction by integrating experiential learning, coursework, knowledge, and skills, and demonstrating critical thinking, oral presentation, creativity, problem-solving, and writing commensurate with senior level work.

ABS 495 5.0

This is the first of two quarters of applied professional work in a community setting consistent with the student's area of interest. Meets requirements for supervised field practice required for licensure and professional accreditation in many professional specialties.

ABS 497 5.0

Second quarter of applied professional work in a community setting consistent with the student's area of interest. Meets requirements for supervised field practice required for licensure and professional accreditation in many professional specialties.

ABS 498 5.0

Minimum GPA requirement of 2.0

Course Course ID Credits Availability

English 101 is a college-level writing course that emphasizes academic writing and major strategies of reading and writing analytically. Writing assignments focus on engaging with and responding to a variety of texts. Instruction encourages students to develop, through revision and reflection, as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.

ENGL& 101 5.0

Continuation of the composition sequence with further instruction and practice in the writing process, concentrating on critical reading and writing techniques needed for the preparation and completion of documented essays.

ENGL& 102 5.0

Introduction to the scientific study of human behavior including research methods, brain and behavior, learning, cognitive psychology, development, personality, abnormal psychology, and social thinking and behavior. Additional topics may include: emotions, perception, motivation, intelligence, genes and evolution, and health.

PSYC& 100 5.0

Course Substitute : PSYC& 200 - Lifespan Psychology

Introduces students to the scientific study of society and to several sociological concepts, including socialization, stratification, research methods, social theory, group dynamics, social class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, media, family, deviance, and social and cultural change. Students learn how to connect research to concepts and use the sociological imagination, the relationship between self and society, to deepen their understanding of social life.

SOC& 101 5.0

No Description available

Z999_011 5.0

recommended: MATH& 107, MATH 136, or MATH& 146

No Description available

Z999_037 5.0
Course Course ID Credits Availability

Provides an overview of the social and human services field from the perspective of the individual human services worker. Explores societal conditions, assumptions, and needs that impact delivery of services. Includes discussion of areas of knowledge, professional values, and skills. Examines the characteristics of the human services agency, including professional roles, career opportunities, and challenges.

SHS 100 5.0

Introduction to social welfare policy, social justice, and systems. Emphasis on social welfare policies, systems, and services designed to respond to social issues: public welfare, child welfare, mental health, chemical dependency, aging, poverty, health, disabilities, and corrections.

SHS 103 5.0

Intro to beginning-level interviewing and counseling skills in multicultural settings. Demonstration of human services values and knowledge of diverse populations' needs through counseling techniques: developing relationships; identifying problems, solutions, and goals; and evaluating progress.

SHS 106 5.0

Introduction to group work, including group processes, communication patterns, group and individual goal-setting, leadership, and decision-making. Includes group participation, role-playing, and simulations.

SHS 108 5.0

Supervised community-based field experience in which students apply knowledge and develop skills by working in public and private agencies and organizations. Prereq: Permission

SHS 197 3.0

Work experience in human services agencies, with individual and group supervision provided by agency professionals to share experiences and further develop work-related skills.

SHS 198 3.0

Examines U.S. society and the diversity within it, as well as the effects of societal structures on clients. Topics include an overview of general principles of cultural diversity and cross-cultural services delivery to individuals from many diverse backgrounds.

SHS 210 3.0
Course Course ID Credits Availability

Introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to practice care navigation for the benefit of the client. Focus on human services and healthcare systems, social determinants of health, health literacy, chronic illness, risk and protective factors. The first of two courses leading to a certificate in care navigation.

SHS 121 5.0

Intro to crisis intervention and trauma-informed care techniques for the beginning mental health/human services professional. Students will develop assessment techniques and interviewing skills with populations experiencing mental health concerns, physical health concerns, substance abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner and domestic violence, bereavement, suicide, and other crises.

SHS 205 5.0

Explores both the grief and loss experiences in the context of the helping professions. Analyzes models and types of grief and loss. Researches resources and interventions for clients in the social and human services. Examines transitions, situations, and circumstances that result in grief and loss, as well as cultural responses to them.

SHS 209 5.0

This class provides an introduction to suicide assessment and prevention. Students will be introduced to topics such as signs and symptoms of suicidal/self-harm behavior, facts and myths about suicidal behavior, conducting an assessment interview, risk factors and protective factors, the treatment of suicidal individuals, the contagion effect, and self-care for those working with suicidal/self-harm individuals.

SHS 230 3.0

Introduction to misuse of and addiction to psychoactive drugs. Includes history, theories, current research, and treatment practices, and the nature of successful recovery as well as prevention concepts.

SHS 235 5.0

Overview of mental health and co-occurring disorders. Identification of referral processes, treatment options, barriers unique to this population, services available to the co-occurring disorder consumer in the context of culture, race and ethnicity

SHS 255 5.0

Explores the WA Administrative Codes, federal codes, and professional codes of ethics that apply to human services and substance use disorder professionals. Examines ethical theory, ethical decision-making, and ethical practice in a multicultural context. Meets educational requirements for courses for Substance Use Professional included in WAC 246-811-030.

SHS 270 5.0

Examines the roles of human services and substance use disorder professional case managers. Students explore all aspects of case management, including service coordination, screening, ASAM Criteria, assessment and treatment planning.

SHS 280 3.0

see Advising for list of approved courses

No Description available

Z999_008 18.0