Contact Information
Program Requirements
Typical Program
Degree/Certificate: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5506
SUNY Code: 24160
Major Code: HUSV
The Career
An associate’s degree in human services can be a good option for those who want to enter the human services field quickly. This program provides students with an overview of the human services field along with communication, documentation skills, and professional awareness needed by those in the helping professions. Some areas students may choose to focus on include services to the intellectually, developmentally, or physically challenged; children and youth; the elderly; those with addictions; or patient advocacy. Job titles include but are not limited to direct support professional, case manager, advocate, youth recreation assistant, youth support assistant, activity leader, childcare attendant, child watch aide, after-school child care staff, human services assistant, mental health assistant, substance abuse counselor, success coach, employment coach, habilitation coordinator, elder care assistant, health care advocate, program aide, and behavior technician. Through academic advisement, students select appropriate electives that allow them to tailor the program to specific areas of interest.
Advanced Placement
Students who complete SUNY Niagara’s Direct Support Professional Certificate, Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate, or Early Childhood Studies Certificate can transfer in any applicable credits. Students who have credits from other colleges may transfer their credits in to allow them to register for advanced courses.
SUNY Niagara Approach
The Human Services AAS degree seeks to promote direct access to the human services, direct support, and social work industry in Western New York. As major changes in society continue to create increased demand in human services, there will be a need for trained professionals who can understand and apply the principles of the helping arts supporting clients through technological changes, changes in work patterns, increased bureaucratic complexity, and changes in the character and structure of the family.
The Human Services AAS degree is offered as a full-time or part-time day program, full-time or part-time evening program, and in an online format. Because of sequencing of courses, it may take longer than four semesters to complete the full-time day program if a student begins in a spring or summer semester or needs to take pre-requisites or foundation courses.
Admission
Students are enrolled in fall, spring and summer.
The Human Services AAS program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis during the day or evening. It is offered in-person or online or a combination of both. All core courses including internships are offered online with the field placement hours coordinated with an agency related to the student’s career goals.
Because of the sequencing of some courses or the need for foundations courses, it may take longer to complete the degree for students beginning in the spring or summer semester.
Program Goals and Objectives
- To offer students the opportunity to explore personal, academic and/or career interests by becoming familiar with the human services systems.
- Through integrated classroom learning and field experience, acquire first-hand experience applying the principles of the helping process and effective interpersonal communication to client support.
- To understand and apply professional ethics as they relate to human services.
- To apply principles of the helping process to develop critical thinking skills related to the challenges in the human services profession.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the ethical standards applicable to human services professionals.
- Demonstrate and apply an understanding of social science methodology, including basic statistics and analytics;
- Apply principles of critical thinking to the resolution of problems for clients;
- Demonstrate a capacity for self-assessment and continuous improvement as a human services professional;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the helping process as they arise in the human services context;
- Apply the principles of effective interpersonal communication to client support.
