Human Services (A.S.)

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.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 1210: Introduction to Human Services

3

PSY 1510: General Psychology

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

Elective

3

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

Elective

Consider program track or transfer school requirements

1

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Discuss transfer options and career tracks with your advisor to maximize transferable credits.
  • Research articulation agreements.
  • 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

BIO 1500: Human Biology or

BIO 1510: Health Science

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

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology

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

ENG 1530: English Composition II

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

HUS 2230: Interviewing and Counseling

3
  • BIO 1500 is recommended for students transferring into social work programs.
  • Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.
  • Schedule transfer visits and begin making decisions.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Choose a course from your program track

 

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

HUS 1280: Family Systems

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

 

Community & Policy Practice

POL 1510 American Politics

SOC 2520: Social Problems

SOC 2580: Race and Ethnicity

ANT 2590/SOC 2590: Sex, Sexuality and Gender

3

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

Elective

Choose a course from a SUNY Gen Ed category not yet completed with a focus on Global Perspectives

3
SUNY
  • Arts
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Global Perspectives

Elective

Choose a course from a SUNY Gen Ed category

3
SUNY
  • Arts
  • Diversity
  • Humanities
  • Math
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
  • World Languages
  • Written & Oral Communication

Elective

Consider program track or transfer school requirements

3
  • Prior to advisement, apply for field placement and schedule a field orientation session.
  • Carefully choose elective courses based upon program track or transfer institution.
  • Begin applying to transfer institutions.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Elective

Choose a course from a SUNY Gen Ed category not yet completed

3
SUNY
  • Arts
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Global Perspectives

HUS 2250: Policy and Organization

3

HUS 2210 or HUS 2215: Field Placement I

5
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Program Core Elective

Choose a course from your program track

 

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

HUS 1280: Family Systems

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

 

Community & Policy Practice

POL 1510 American Politics

SOC 2520: Social Problems

SOC 2580: Race and Ethnicity

ANT 2590/SOC 2590: Sex, Sexuality and Gender

3
  • Work with the Success Center for assistance with portfolio, resume, and cover letter or job search.
  • Carefully choose elective courses based upon program track or transfer institution.
  • After advisement, apply for graduation.