Human Services (A.A.S.)

HEGIS: 5501

SUNY CODE: 0604

The Human Services program is designed to prepare students for a career in a variety of human service agencies. Students may, for example, find employment as case managers, social work assistants, family advocates, residential counselors or classroom assistants. Students may work with a variety of populations, such as the physically or developmentally disabled, elderly, youth at risk or individuals in crisis.

The goals of this program are to:

  • introduce the student to the many populations and services provided in the field of human services;
  • prepare students to pursue continuing education to maintain "best practice" in their employment position and/or an advanced degree in the career of their choice; and
  • prepare students for a variety of entry-level human service job opportunities.

Successful graduates from this program will be able to:

  • identify normal developmental trends throughout the life span and recognize deviations from normal development;
  • identify the social systems that impact the individual's behavior;
  • communicate effectively with a variety of populations;
  • accurately document case records;
  • identify community services available to assist clients;
  • abide by the Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals; and
  • gather and apply credible and valid information to guide practice.

Career Opportunities/Transfer Information

Graduates find employment in a variety of private and public social service agencies. While not designed as a transfer program, many of our graduates go on to four-year colleges and specific transfer articulation agreements have been established with The College of St. Rose (Social Work), Cazenovia College (Human Services), SUNY Institute of Technology (Psychology or Sociology), Hilbert College (Human Services), SUC at Cortland (Human Services), Utica College (Psychology), and Russell Sage College (Creative Arts Therapy). A student pursuing a degree in this registered program may, after consultation with an academic advisor, select course(s) to prepare for specialization in career or transfer plans.

Program of Study

1st Year

1st Semester

EN 111College Writing

3

FS 100First Year Student Seminar

1

HS 111Intro to Human Services

3

SC 113Biology of Aging

3

OR

SC 114Topics Human Biology

3

OR

SC 118Fund of Human Anatomy and Phys

3

SS 151Intro Psychology

3

SS 161Introductory Sociology

3

Physical Education Activity

1

Total Credit Hours:17

2nd Semester

EN 112College Literature

3

EN 228Interpersonal Communication

3

HS 120Intro to Case Management

3

SS 162Social Problems

3

Mathematics Elective

3

Physical Education Activity

1

Total Credit Hours:16
Prerequisite for HS 120HS 111 with a grade of C or higher.

2nd Year

3rd-Semester

HS 214Internship In Human Services

3.5

HS 201Chemical Dependency

3

HS 202Group Counseling

3

SS 241American Minorities

3

Social Science Elective

3

OR

Human Services Elective

3

OR

Criminal Justice Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:15.5
Criminal Justice Elective

Recommended for students interested in victim advocacy, or working with at-risk youth

CJ 120Intro Criminal Justice

3

CJ 131Probation & Parole

3

CJ 151Intro Corrections

3

CJ 152Issues in Corrections

3

SS 136Criminology

3

SS 167Juvenile Delinquency

3

4th-Semester

SS 255Abnormal Psychology

3

HS 214Internship In Human Services

3.5

SS 238Trauma Informed Care

3

HS 250CarePath Course

3

OR

SS 253Social Psychology

3

English/Humanities Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:15.5

Total Credit Hours: 64

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of this program. For more information, visit www.herkimer.edu/felony.

This program is Internet accessible and may be completed entirely online. For more information access Herkimer College's Internet Academy website: www.herkimer.edu/ia

For more information, contact the Business, Health, Science and Technology Division at (315) 866-0300 or toll free 1-844-GO-4-HERK, ext. 8240.