Alabama Community College System
Proposal for a New Degree Program
College: Calhoun Community College
Associate of Applied Science
□ Associate of Applied Technology
□ Certificate
1. Date of Proposal Submission:
2. Full Program Name: Social Work Technician
3. Marketing Name: Social Work Technician
4. CIP Code: 44.0701
5. Learning Outcomes and Program Review:
Succinctly list four (4) but not more than seven (7) of the most prominent student
learning outcomes of the program.
After successfully completing this program, students should be able to:
a. Describe multiple environments of social work.
b. Explain resources available to people that they would be able to access as social workers.
b. Analyze social problems requiring the help of social workers.
c. Describe and work within the legal environment of social workers.
e. Identify pathways to the social work career they want to pursue.
f. Act professionally within a social work environment.
6. Employment Outcomes and Program Demand
a. Indicate the primary industry where graduates would seek employment using the
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): www.naics.com/search/.
NAICS Code: 6222, 6241, 6242, 6243, 6244, 8133, 8134
b. Select at least one (1) and up to three (3) Standard Occupational Codes (SOCs) where
graduates of the new program would seek employment:
www.bls.gov/soc/2018/major_groups.htm
SOC Code 1: 21.1093 (Required)
SOC Code 2: 21.1099
SOC Code 3: 21.1094
c. Please explain whether further education/training is required for graduates of the
proposed program to gain entry-level employment in the occupations selected.
Entry-level positions are available upon graduation from a two-year program.
However, upward mobility would rely on a student getting at least a four-year degree,
and a master’s is preferred.
d. Please describe how you will determine whether graduates are successful in obtaining
relevant employment or pursuing further study.
The Social Work program will attempt to keep in contact with students through
emails, phone calls, social media, and any other methods possible. We also have close
connections to employers, and we will pursue information through them as well.
e. Briefly describe how the program fulfills a specific industry or employment need for
the State of Alabama. Please refer to the State’s “In-Demand Occupations List” (see
ACHE’s Academic Program page for most recent list) or include local and statewide
occupational projections, along with data sources as appropriate.
SOC Code 1, 21.1093 (Social & Human Service Assistants) is listed on the In-Demand
Occupations List at the ACHE website for 2023, with a total of 350 jobs opening each
year. Additionally, the proposal comes from conversations with a variety of
employers in the area, including Kids to Love, First Baptist Church Huntsville, the
Veterans Administration, and other service organizations who need people to work
under the supervision of social workers; they need employees with some knowledge
in the field because of the highly sensitive nature of the work.
f. Briefly describe evidence of student demand for the program, including enrollments in
related coursework at your institution if applicable.
Calhoun currently has approximately 100 Social Work majors, many of whom will go
on to four-year programs. However, this program would allow them to work in their
field while they continue their studies.
g. If a survey of student interest was conducted, briefly describe the survey instrument,
number and percentage of respondents, and summary of results.
7. Curriculum and Prerequisites
a. Program Completion Requirements (Enter a credit hour value for all applicable
components, write NA if not applicable)
Credit hours required in program courses 36
Credit hours in general education or core curriculum 24
Credit hours required in support courses 0
Credit hours in required or free electives 0
Credit hours in required research 0
Total Credit Hours Required for Completion 60
b. Please indicate the maximum number of credits that can be transferred in from another
institution and applied to the program: 45
c. Please describe any work-based learning (WBL) activities that are required or
recommended for program completion (including internships, practical/clinical
experience, applied research, or other immersive experiences designed to prepare
graduates for employment in the field). Definitions and examples of different types of
WBL are available at www.alapprentice.org.
The AAS in Social Work Technology will incorporate a variety of work-based learning
activities as part of all courses, and it will also require a practicum class, which places
students in a job setting. Because Calhoun employs a Social Work instructor who
also is a social worker at the College, students will have the opportunity both at
Calhoun and at various organizations in the community to do job shadowing and
clinical experiences in courses. If the program is approved, Kids to Love has already
agreed to allowed clinical experiences in their organization, and leaders of other
local organizations have expressed an interest.
d. Does the program include any options/concentrations? If so, please describe the
purpose and rationale for the options, and list the courses for each in the table below.
No. There is an Associate of Science in General Studies with a concentration in Social
Work, which is a degree for those planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree. However,
that program is substantially different than the A.A.S.
e. Please complete the table below indicating all coursework for the proposed program,
specifying any new courses developed for the program, along with the courses
associated with each option as applicable. Include the course number, course title, and
number of credits. Coursework listed should total the number of hours required to
complete the program.
Course Number and Title
Number of
Credit
Hours
*If New Course
ORI 110 Freshman Seminar
1
ENG 101 English Composition I
3
MTH 100 or higher Int. Algebra or higher
3
Fine Arts Elective
3
SPA 101 Introductory Spanish I
4
History elective
3
BIO 103 Principles of Biology I
4
PSY 200 General Psychology
3
SOC 200 General Sociology
3
CIS 146 Microcomputer Applications
3
SWT 109 Techniques of Behavior Modification
3
SWT 130 The Community & the Social Worker
3
SWT 131 Problems of Children & Youth
3
SWT 133 Geriatrics
3
SWT 200 Social Work Practicum
3
*New course
SPH 116 Interpersonal Communications
3
CHD 206 Children’s Health & Safety
3
SOC 209 Juvenile Delinquency
3
SOC 210 Social Problems
3
PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology
3
f. Intended program duration in semesters for full-time students: 2 years
g. Intended program duration in semesters for part-time students: 3 years
h. Please indicate any prior education or work experience required for acceptance into the
program. None
i. Describe any other special requirements for the program. None
7. Specific Rationale (Strengths) for Program
a. What is the specific rationale for recommending approval of this proposal? List 3-5
potential program strengths:
1. Demand for social workers is high in north Alabama, and it is difficult for
organizations to staff their offices. There are many roles in organizations that don’t
require a bachelor’s in Social Work but require an understanding of the role and
skills of a social worker. This degree is designed to meet those needs.
2. Many of our students want to be able to work in the field while they are pursuing
their bachelor’s degrees, and this degree allows them to do so.
3. A number of local social work organizations have requested that we offer this
degree.
b. Please list any external entities that have supplied letters of support attesting to the
program’s strengths. Attach support letters with the proposal.
8. Program Resource Requirements
a. Faculty
1. Please provide or attach a brief summary of primary and support faculty that
includes their qualifications specific to the program proposal. Note: institutions
must maintain and have current and additional primary and support faculty
curriculum vitae available upon ACHE request for as long as the program is active,
but you do not need to submit a CVs with this proposal.
Florence Doughty, MSW, LICSW-S, PIP – Social Work instructor/Social Worker
2. Please provide faculty counts for the proposed programs:
Status
Faculty Type
Primary
Support
Current Full-Time
1
Current Part-Time
Additional Full-Time to be hired
1
Additional Part-Time to be hired
1
Note: Annual compensation costs for additional faculty to be hired should be included in the NEW
ACADEMIC DEGREE PROGRAM SUMMARY table.
3. Briefly describe the qualifications of new faculty to be hired:
FT Social Work Instructor: Masters of Social Work (MSW), at least 5 years’
experience as a social worker, teaching experience preferred
PT Social Work Instructor: Masters of Social Work (MSW), experience as a social
worker preferred, teaching experience preferred
b. Staff
Will the program require dedicated staff? Yes No X
If yes, indicate the number or percentage of FTEs. Salary/benefits costs should be
included in the program summary table below. NA
Note: Annual compensation costs for staff to be hired should be included in the NEW ACADEMIC
DEGREE PROGRAM SUMMARY table.
c. Equipment
Will any special equipment be needed specifically for this program?
Yes No X
If yes, please list the equipment. These costs should be included in the NEW
ACADEMIC DEGREE SUMMARY TABLE.
d. Facilities
Will any new facilities be required specifically for the program?
Yes No X
If yes, please list. Only new facilities need to be listed. These costs should be included
in the NEW ACADEMIC DEGREE SUMMARY TABLE.
e. Library
Will additional library resources be required to support the program? Because there is
a concentration in Social Work, Calhoun already has adequate library resources. Only
normal updates are required.
Please provide a brief description of the current status of the library collections
supporting the proposed program.
The Calhoun library has 1,143 volumes that are specific to social work because of the
transfer program that we offer.
If yes, please briefly describe how any deficiencies will be remedied, and include the
cost in the NEW ACADEMIC DEGREE SUMMARY TABLE.
f. Assistantships/Fellowships
Will the college offer any assistantships specifically for this program?
Yes No X
If yes, how many assistantships will be offered?
The costs should be included in the NEW ACADEMIC DEGREE SUMMARY
TABLE. Attached.
Select Level:
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 TOTAL
FACULTY 100000 102000 104040 106121 108243 110408 112616 743428
STAFF 0
EQUIPMENT 0
FACILITIES 0
LIBRARY 0
ASSISTANTSHIPS 0
OTHER 0
TOTAL 100000 102000 104040 106121 108243 110408 112616 743428
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 TOTAL
REALLOCATIONS 0
EXTRAMURAL 0
TUITION 100000 101344 108942 116540 124138 131736 139334 822034
TOTAL 100000 101344 108942 116540 124138 131736 139334 822034
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 AVERAGE
FULL-TIME
HEADCOUNT
Year 1 - No
data reporting
required
11 12 13 14 15 16 13.5
PART-TIME
HEADCOUNT
Year 1 - No
data reporting
required
18 19 20 21 22 23 20.5
TOTAL
HEADCOUNT
Year 1 - No
data reporting
required
29 31 33 35 37 39 34
NEW ENROLLMENT
HEADCOUNT
Year 1 - No
data reporting
required
14 16 16 18 18 20 17
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 AVERAGE
DEGREE
COMPLETION
PROJECTIONS
Year 1 - No
data reporting
required
11 12 13 14 16 18 14
PROGRAM: Social Work Technician A.A.S. Associate
*New* entails additional expenses or revenues associated with program implementation. Please include any planning or start-
up expenses within Year 1 (even if these were incurred in Year 0 or prior). Do not include expenses or revenues already
budgeted for a department or instructional unit prior to the development of this specific program. For instance, if new faculty
will be hired to teach in this program, salary/benefits should be included for each year following hire, but salary/benefits for
existing faculty would not be included.
Note: “New Enrollment Headcount” is defined as unduplicated counts across years.
DEGREE COMPLETION PROJECTIONS
Note: Do not count Lead “0”s and Lead 0 years in computing the average annual degree completions.
NEW ACADEMIC DEGREE PROGRAM PROPOSAL SUMMARY
INSTITUTION: Calhoun Community College
ESTIMATED *NEW* EXPENSES TO IMPLEMENT PROPOSED PROGRAM
*NEW* REVENUES AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT
ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS
