Peer Support Specialist Certificate (Credit-bearing, 18 units)

The Peer Support Specialist Certificate of Achievement program provides a comprehensive foundation in cultural fluency, communication, and the core competencies for Peer Support Specialists. This certificate is designed to help California meet the statewide challenges and the rapidly expanding need for social work, public health, and human service professionals. Specifically, by providing core competency compliant education/training for the Peer Support Specialist designation. Students’ training will allow them to become well-rounded employees who are able to participate as team members in social work and human service agencies and settings. Students may elect to continue their education through Berkeley City College’s AA-T in Social Work and Human Service.

This certificate can be completed in two semesters. BCC provides WiFi hotspots, Chromebooks, and text books for this program. We also have multiple student support programs to give you wrap around support.

Required Courses

There are 7 required courses, totaling 18 credits. All of them stack towards the AA-T in Social Work and Human Service. See the recommended course progression, and how the certificate stacks to the AA-T Degree here; this is a living document and is updated regularly. Note there are 3 tabs across the bottom, with info on multiple programs.

  • COMM 6 Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
  • HUSV 121 Intro to Social Work and Human Services (3 credits)
  • HUSV 120 A/B Social Work and Human Services Fieldwork Seminar 1 (1 credit)
  • HUSV 120 B Social Work and Human Services Fieldwork Placement 2 (2 credits)*
  • PSYCH 1A Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • SOC 1 Intro to Sociology (3 credits)
  • SOC 2 Social Problems (3 credits)

*HUSV 510A/B is a perquisite and is a free non-credit course

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of the role, scope, ethical, and legal issues of work for entry-level employment in social work and human services positions, such as Peer Support Specialist, Case Manager, Navigator, or Advocate.
  2. Demonstrate culturally appropriate communication skills for entry-level employment in social work and human services, such as Peer Support Specialist, Case Manager, Navigator, or Advocate.
  3. Apply boundary settings skills and emotional regulation skills appropriate for entry-level social work and human services positions, such as Peer Support Specialist, Case Manager, Navigator, or Advocate.

To enroll:

Step 1 is to open your BCC application, and you can start that here. Once you have your student ID and login information, enroll in the Human Services and Social Work Canvas Shell. This is a space where you can keep track of your course progressions, get important announcements about deadline and events, and receive job postings.