# Volunteer Services (Certificate of Proficiency)

MiraCosta College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Sociology

Source: https://catalog.miracosta.edu/disciplines/sociology/

This certificate offers students core courses in behavioral science combined with at least one behavioral science course that offers service learning. The academic courses provide a fundamental understanding of human behavior. A course that includes service learning requires volunteering in the community combined with written reflection on the volunteer experience. This certificate emphasizes working directly with people in need within the service-learning tradition, and it integrates academics with practice.

This certificate can enrich the service of experienced volunteers, guide those interested in volunteering for the first time and transfer students interested in teaching and social service agency work, and provide early experience in public service.

Students need to contact the Service Learning Office for information about instructors in behavioral science who offer service learning. In addition, students must provide verification of their volunteer participation through the Service Learning Office to earn the certificate.

##### Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to explain the importance of volunteering in the community from a behavioral sciences perspective.

**Course Requirements**

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required courses:** | |  |
| SOCI C1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or SOCI C1000H | Introduction to Sociology - Honors |  |
| SOCI 102 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| **Select at least 5 elective units from the following:** | | 5 |
| CDEV 210 | Child, Family, and Community |  |
| PSYC/SOCI 103 | Social Psychology |  |
| PSYC/SOCI 145 | Psychology/Sociology of the Family |  |
| **Total Units** | | **11** |