Students begin either the A.A.S. or A.S. human services degree program with required introductory human services and liberal arts courses. Requirements for both the A.S. and A.A.S. degree programs are satisfied with the same course offerings. Students in the A.A.S. program complete more human services courses (an additional field placement and an additional human services elective), and students in the A.S. program complete additional liberal arts requirements needed in their transfer programs.

Human services course electives allow students to specialize in such areas as social work, early childhood education, mental health, gerontology, and youth services. Courses in alcohol and chemical dependency study that are acceptable for meeting a part of Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) education requirements are also offered under JCC’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) provider certificate.

An early childhood development certificate program has been added to the human services program for individuals interested in pursuing careers in early childhood education and care. The certificate can be used as part of a career ladder to the 60-credit associate degree and transfer degrees. The 60-credit associate degree with a specialization in early childhood continues to be a strong focus in the human services program.

Field Placement
Field placement courses are designed to allow students to learn and practice helping skills in a variety of agency settings. During this field experience, students work 10-12 hours per week, 120 hours per semester, under the supervision of an experienced employee of a human services agency, along with guidance from a JCC faculty member.

JCC maintains working relationships with approximately 100 different agencies in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. Popular areas in which students complete fieldwork experiences are pre-school, 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.

The full-time human services faculty represents a variety of expertise in social work, early childhood education, clinical counseling, and gerontology. The full-time faculty is supplemented by knowledgeable community professionals who teach courses in their areas of specialization.

Career Opportunities
This degree program is designed for students seeking immediate employment after graduation in social services, public assistance, alcohol and chemical dependency, mental health, recreation, early care and education, and gerontology programs, and services to the physically, cognitively, or developmentally disabled. Students may prepare for entry level positions in private or public agencies, working in individual and group settings, by completing two semesters of internship experience, and through elective course offerings.
 
Comments from responding graduates indicate that JCC’s field placement courses aid in the search for local employment where the establishment of contacts is important. Recent job titles include activity director, alcoholism counselor, geriatric recreation therapist, residential counselor, daily living counselor, rehabilitation/treatment aide, teacher assistant, childcare worker, preschool teacher, family advocate, and youth worker.