Study human services at JCC
The Human Services associate degree at Jamestown Community College prepares you for careers in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, early care, and education. With additional education after you graduate from JCC, you’ll be able to work in roles such as social worker, case manager, counselor, clinician, policy analyst, policy advocate, and child protective care worker.
At JCC you’ll study the foundations of human services while choosing electives that match your interests. Specialized tracks include mental health, child and adolescent, gerontology, criminal and forensic practice, and community and policy practice. You can earn an Early Childhood Development certificate with the Human Services degree if you pursue early childhood education and care.
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. Popular agency areas include preschool, child care, special education, elementary education, mental health, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, community programs for the elderly, rehabilitation, recreation, and programs for the developmentally disabled, poor, and disadvantaged.
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:
- Show an appropriate level of personal growth and self-awareness.
- Demonstrate competence in helping clients and/or providing early care and education to young children.
- Demonstrate integration of theory and skills in field learning.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of public and private welfare systems.
- Exhibit an understanding of and respect for individuals with ethnic, cultural, gender and racial differences.
- Demonstrate analytical ability and critical thinking skills through fieldwork and case analyses as they apply to problem solving with clients and client systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge, commitment to, and utilization of the Codes of Ethics in Human Services.