Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates
Program LengthA.A.S. Degree - 63 CreditsDiploma - 43 Credits Certificate - 16 Credits | Admission DatesFall and Spring SemesterOffered On Campus and Online |
Program Description
Through the certificate program students will acquire the knowledge and skills for performing duties as Direct Service Professionals in residential, vocational, recreation, health and education settings.Through the diploma program students will, in addition to completing the certificate coursework, gain knowledge and skills in human behavior, communication, and medication areas. The diploma will provide the student supervisory skills with the ability to obtain Designated Coordinator status in addition to having 2 years of experience. Upon completing the coursework from the certificate and diploma the student will also have the option to complete the A.A.S. degree, which includes 20 credits of transferable general education coursework.
The A.A.S. degree also entitles the student to the Designated Coordinator status and applies to supervisory and middle management positions in most human services settings. The A.A.S. degree offers the graduating student the option to continue their education at a four-year institution upon completion.
Students graduating from the Community Support Program are eligible for positions in several areas in the health, human services, and education fields with children, adolescents, young adults, adults and senior citizens. The graduating student may serve people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury and related conditions. Students who may be interested in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or other health or social areas may want to consider the CSP as a well-rounded educational base for these areas of study.
Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing this program, the student will be able to:- Demonstrate skills to perform as a Direct Support Professional
- Demonstrate practical application of CSP Health & Safety skills
- Demonstrate a service leadership philosophy
| Certificate | 16 Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CSP | 1801 | Direct Service Professionalism | 3.00 |
| CSP | 1802 | Physical Developmental Supports I | 3.00 |
| CSP | 1803 | Facilitating Positive Behaviors I | 3.00 |
| CSP | 1804 | Person Centered Planning | 3.00 |
| OTEC | 1001 | Introduction to Computers | 2.00 |
| OTEC | 2000 | Employment Search Skills | 2.00 |
| Students should be advised that all recommended developmental courses and 1800 level CSP course work be successfully completed before registering for the 1900 level courses. | |||
| Diploma | 43 Credits | ||
| Includes all certificate level courses in addition to the following coursework: | |||
| CSP | 1902 | Physical/Develpmental Supports II | 3.00 |
| CSP | 1903 | Facilitating Positive Behavior II | 3.00 |
| CSP | 1904 | Challenging Behaviors | 2.00 |
| CSP | 1905 | Supportive Interventions | 2.00 |
| CSP | 1906 | Person Centered Planning | 3.00 |
| CSP | 1910 | Internship | 4.00 |
| HC | 1000 | Medical Terminology | 3.00 |
| HC | 1934 | Trained Medication Aide | 2.00 |
| HCTC | 1886 | Basic Nursing 101 (CNA) | 4.00 |
| HLTH | 1950 | CPR | 1.00 |
| HLTH | 1952 | First Aid | 1.00 |
| A.A.S. Degree | 63 Credits | ||
| Includes all of the certificate and diploma level courses in addition to the following coursework: | |||
| BHVS | 100 | *Family & Personal Relationships | 3.00 |
| ENGL | 100 | *Composition | 4.00 |
| PHIL | 100 | *Ethics in Society | 3.00 |
| PSYC | 100 | *Introduction to Psychology | 4.00 |
| SPCH | 100 | *Interpersonal Skills | 3.00 |
| General Education Electives | 3 | ||
Departmental Mission
The mission of the Community Supports Program is to provide its students with the skills and knowledge to successfully serve and advocate for people they support through a holistic, curricular approach to learning that is academically rigorous, multi-faceted, and cutting edge, which embodies all elements of human service.Expanded Statement of Purpose
To this end the Community Supports graduate will become a servant leader able to advocate successfully on behalf of the individuals they serve through the use of critical thinking skills, collaborative work projects, and effective communication using a variety of methods. As a result of acquiring college-level academic skills and involvement in field-specific learning opportunities these graduates will become better equipped to join the workforce, acutely aware of political and economic issues affecting the individuals they serve and the profession.Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and 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 in a clinical placement in a Minnesota licensed health care facility. Failure to participate in a clinical placement required by the academic program could result in ineligibility to qualify for a degree in that program.