Human Services (A.A.S.)

Study human services at JCC

With the Human Services A.A.S. degree at Jamestown Community College, you can immediately enter the workforce after graduation in agencies and practices that better the welfare of service populations. You can pursue roles such as child care worker, eligibility worker, social and human service assistant, activities director, and community service worker.

Your studies will focus on both the foundations of human services and electives that match your career goals. Specialized tracks include mental health, child and adolescent, gerontology, and criminal and forensic practice.

You’ll also complete a semester field placement to learn and practice helping skills in a variety of agency settings. Students work under the supervision of an experienced employee of a human services agency, with guidance from a JCC faculty member. JCC has working relationships with agencies in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

2023 median pay for community and social service occupations: $52,000/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Human services skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate and assess an appropriate level of personal growth and self-awareness.
  • Demonstrate competence in helping clients and/or providing early care and education to young children.
  • Integrate theory and apply techniques in practice with client populations.
  • Identify and explain the historical development of a public and private welfare policy/program.
  • Recognize and show an understanding of respect for individuals with ethnic, cultural, gender and racial differences.
  • Apply critical thinking skills by analyzing a case study as it applies to problem solving with clients and client systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and utilization of the Codes of Ethics in Human Services.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 1210: Introduction to Human Services

3

HUS 1280: Introduction to Family Systems

3

ENG 1510: College Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Discuss employment options and career tracks with your advisor to maximize program core electives.
  • Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 1410: Generalist Practice Skills

3

Program Core Electives

Choose an approved course based on area of interest

 

Mental Health Track:

HUS 1310: Intro to Alcohol & Chemical Dependency

HUS 2430: Chemical Dependency Treatment Methods

PSY 2560: Abnormal Psychology

PSY 2540: Interpersonal & Group Dynamics

 

Child & Adolescent Track:

SOC 2510: Marriage and the Family

PSY 2520: Child Development

HUS 2340: Working with Adolescents or PSY 2550: Psychology of Adolescents

 

Gerontology Track:

HUS 1280: Family Systems

HUS 2370: Introduction to Gerontology

PSY 1610: Death and Dying

PSY 2510: Life Span Development

 

Criminal & Forensic Practice:

HUS 1310: Intro to Alcohol & Chemical Dependency

CRI 1510: Introduction to Criminal Justice

CRI 2620: Introduction to Probation & Parole

CRI 2650 Juvenile Justice System

3

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication

HUS 2230: Interviewing and Counseling

3

Mathematics Elective

Recommended:

MAT 1500: Problem Solving or

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Discuss employment options and career tracks with your advisor to maximize program core electives.
  • Prior to advisement, apply for field placement I and schedule a field orientation session.
  • Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 2210 or HUS 2215: Field Placement I

5
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology or

ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives

Program Core Elective

Choose an approved course based on area of interest

 

Mental Health Track:

HUS 1310: Intro to Alcohol & Chemical Dependency

HUS 2430: Chemical Dependency Treatment Methods

PSY 2560: Abnormal Psychology

PSY 2540: Interpersonal & Group Dynamics

 

Child & Adolescent Track:

SOC 2510: Marriage and the Family

PSY 2520: Child Development

HUS 2340: Working with Adolescents or PSY 2550: Psychology of Adolescents

 

Gerontology Track:

HUS 1280: Family Systems

HUS 2370: Introduction to Gerontology

PSY 1610: Death and Dying

PSY 2510: Life Span Development

 

Criminal & Forensic Practice:

HUS 1310: Intro to Alcohol & Chemical Dependency

CRI 1510: Introduction to Criminal Justice

CRI 2620: Introduction to Probation & Parole

CRI 2650 Juvenile Justice System

3

Electives

Consider program track or World Languages, History, or World History and Global Awareness course

4
JCC
  • Global Perspectives
  • Work with the Success Center for assistance with portfolio, resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills.
  • Prior to advisement, apply for field placement II and orientation session.
  • Discuss employment options and career tracks with your advisor to maximize program core electives.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 2220 or HUS 2215: Field Placement II

5
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1500: Health Science or

BIO 1510: Human Biology

3-4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Program Core Elective

Choose an approved course based on area of interest

 

Mental Health Track:

HUS 1310: Intro to Alcohol & Chemical Dependency

HUS 2430: Chemical Dependency Treatment Methods

PSY 2560: Abnormal Psychology

PSY 2540: Interpersonal & Group Dynamics

 

Child & Adolescent Track:

SOC 2510: Marriage and the Family

PSY 2520: Child Development

HUS 2340: Working with Adolescents or PSY 2550: Psychology of Adolescents

 

Gerontology Track:

HUS 1280: Family Systems

HUS 2370: Introduction to Gerontology

PSY 1610: Death and Dying

PSY 2510: Life Span Development

 

Criminal & Forensic Practice:

HUS 1310: Intro to Alcohol & Chemical Dependency

CRI 1510: Introduction to Criminal Justice

CRI 2620: Introduction to Probation & Parole

CRI 2650 Juvenile Justice System

3

Electives

Consider program track or World Languages, History, Social Science, or World History and Global Awareness course

5
  • After advisement, apply for graduation.
  • Work with the Success Center for assistance with job search strategies, civil service exam dates, and employer networking.