Make a Meaningful Impact—Start Your Journey at MJC
The Social Work and Human Services Program at Modesto Junior College (MJC) offers students a powerful foundation for both immediate employment and long-term academic and professional success. Designed for those passionate about helping others, this program prepares individuals for entry-level positions in a wide range of social service settings—including mental health, addiction recovery, youth and family support, and community outreach.
Through a dynamic combination of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and community-based learning, students gain essential skills in communication, case management, crisis intervention, cultural competence, and ethical practice. Our curriculum not only supports real-world readiness but also lays the groundwork for transfer to four-year universities, where students can pursue advanced degrees in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, sociology, and related disciplines.
For Students: Whether you're entering the workforce or planning to continue your education, the program offers the knowledge, tools, and support you need to succeed. You’ll engage with experienced instructors, explore real-world challenges, and build a career dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities.
For Academic Advisors: This program is an excellent pathway for students interested in the helping professions. It aligns with transfer goals while equipping students with the competencies needed to thrive in both academic and professional environments. Advisors can confidently guide students toward this program as a stepping stone to advanced study or direct employment in social service roles.
For Employers: MJC graduates are job-ready and mission-driven. They bring a strong work ethic, practical experience, and a deep commitment to serving others. Employers will find our students prepared to step into roles such as support specialists, outreach workers, and case aides—adding immediate value to agencies focused on community well-being.
The Addiction Studies program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, professional values, and skillset required to begin the certification process for and work in California Chemical Dependency treatment settings. It also provides opportunities for general knowledge about addiction, and chemical dependency treatment. This program leads to an AA in Addiction Studies, and a Certificate of Achievement in Addiction Studies which is fully accredited by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) and is available to students who meet the graduate requirements and complete required courses.
A fully accredited California Association for Drug and Alcohol Educators(CAADE) Certificate of Achievement in Addiction Studies will be awarded upon the satisfactory completion of the 39 unit curriculum listed with a 2.0 GPA or higher in each course.
Completion of the Gerontology Program will provide the holder with the skills, knowledge, and education necessary to work with the elderly. It also provides training and growth opportunities for existing human service employees. In addition, this Skills Recognition Award in Gerontology will serve as another step in an educational and career ladder leading to a Human Services Skills Recognition Award, certificate and or degree. All course work will be applicable as electives and/or meet the requirements for the Human Services degrees at MJC.
The Human Services AA Degree centers around a broad array of entry-level knowledge and skill building needed to effectively work in social services delivery systems. Our program also prepares individuals for transfer to four-year universities, in an effort to pursue degrees in human services, psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, and addiction counseling or other related majors.
The Human Services certificate centers around a broad array of entry-level knowledge and skill building needed to effectively work in social services delivery systems.
The Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Program comes from the emerging need in the human services field to recruit and hire qualified persons to provide services for people who have mental health problems, including consumers and family members as employees in the mental health system. Completion of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program will provide the Skills Recognition older with a core curriculum of essential skills necessary for jobs in the human services field and provide the nine units of college credit necessary to sit for the national test-based certification exam, enabling people to become Certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioners. This core set of courses not only provides a basic education for people entering the human services profession but also provides training and growth opportunities for existing human service employees. In addition, this Skills Recognition will serve as another step in an educational and career ladder leading to a Human Services Skills Recognition and/or Degree. All coursework will be applicable as electives and/or meet the requirements for the Human Services Degree at MJC.
