Human Services A.S.

Career Opportunities  |  Transfer Opportunities  | Degree Requirements | For More Information
Apply for Admission  | General Education Requirements | Articulation Agreements

The Program (HEGIS Code 5501)

The Human Services A.S. degree program is designed to give the student a broad academic background in human services, social sciences and other arts and science fields. Employment opportunities exist for A.S. graduates; however, opportunities expand for those who continue studies at the bachelor’s and master’s level.

JCC’s Human Services program rests on these foundations:

• Academic preparation
• Quality “hands-on” internships
• Volunteer experience/community awareness
• Easy transfer for advanced degrees
• Small, personalized learning community
• Specific Human Services scholarships

Learning Outcomes

Professional Learning Outcomes for the Human Services A.S. degree have been identified as:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history, developmental models, policies, and theories of the Human Services profession.
• Students will demonstrate a variety of appropriate communication strategies and techniques used in the Human Services profession.
• Students will demonstrate appropriate professional and ethical standards in the Human Services field

Career Opportunities

Human services workers are focused on improving the lives of others, thereby improving the well being of the community. They offer services such as counseling, support, and advocacy to individuals in need. Human services professionals observe and assess needs, conduct interviews, design plans of action, employ problem solving techniques, and implement strategies to meet desired goals.

As society changes, so does the nature of human services work. Current issues attracting attention are poverty, healthcare issues, aging adults, HIV/AIDS, school violence, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and abusive relationships. The human services worker is dedicated to providing necessary services and the intrinsic rewards are great.

Employers include such organizations as state, county, and federal governments; private not-for profit human services agencies; hospitals; schools; and residential care facilities. Job titles include caseworker, family support worker, youth counselor, advocate, client advocate, alcohol counselor, eligibility counselor, residential counselor, rehabilitation caseworker, home health aide, group home worker, and social work assistant.

Transfer Opportunities

Many human services graduates pursue baccalaureate degrees in areas such as Human Development, Psychology, Counseling and Social Work. As a graduate of Jefferson you will have many transfer opportunities to consider and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colleges and universities to pursue your baccalaureate degree including SUNY Oswego, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Empire State College, Utica College and Cornell University. Jefferson has partnered with some selected academic institutions to develop agreements that help students transfer smoothly.  These agreements assist students with selecting courses in their academic program that will transfer effectively to specific baccalaureate programs.  Currently, formal agreements exist with the following institutions: 

Cazenovia College- Human Services, B.S.; Keuka College*-Social Work, B.S.; Syracuse University; SUNY Albany; SUNY Brockport; SUNY Cortland; SUNY Empire State College, Various Degrees; and SUNY Plattsburgh.

* This program is offered through the Keuka College ASAP (Accelerated Study for Adults Program) in Watertown at the Jefferson Community College Higher Education Center.   Classes meet one night each week for 4 hours, plus an additional 5-8 hours outside of class. The baccalaureate degree can be earned in just under 3 years.

Human services electives include:

HUS 100:  Survey of the Human Services Profession

HUS 126: Introduction to Substance Abuse

HUS 175:  Response to Victims Crimes

HUS 202: Introduction to Group Counseling

HUS 210:  Professional Codes of Conduct

HUS 215:  Social Gerontology

HUS 226: Concepts of Chemical Dependency

For More Information

Gwendolyn Francis-Frey, Associate Professor of Early Childhood
gfrancis-frey@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2362

Pam Kaus, Instructor for Human Services
pkaus@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2420

Ron Theobald, Instructor for Human Services
rtheobald@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2494

Rebecca Donaghy, Associate Professor of Human Services
rdonaghy@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2245

Application and Admissions Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2277 or  Toll Free 1-888-435-6522