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Human Services

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AS Degree – Code #1175

Dr. Jill Priest Amati, Department Chair and Program Coordinator
Email address: amatijp@alfredstate.edu

The human services program is a broadly based, applied program emphasizing both professional course work in the human services and course work in the social sciences and liberal arts. As a student, you will take courses that provide you with the skills and knowledge to be successful when working in a variety of human services agencies. You will also have the opportunity to take electives in specialty areas such as education, substance abuse, criminal justice, and gerontology.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Apply critical thinking skills in the context of professional practice.
  • Perform the basic operations of personal computer use, as well as employ basic research techniques to locate, evaluate, and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately in oral and written forms.
  • Demonstrate ethical professional behaviors.
  • Identify the components of one's own belief systems and the assumptions underlying them.
  • Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies.
  • Identify the bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual and group development and behavior.
  • Examine the role of diversity in the human services field.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Alfred State human services graduates may enter directly into either the human services management BS, the interdisciplinary studies BTech, applied psychology BS or the technology management BBA degree program.

Continuing Education Opportunities

The human services program offers excellent transfer potential in fields such as psychology, human services, human services management, education, social work, sociology, criminal justice, gerontology, and communications. Among the colleges to which recent graduates have successfully transferred are: Alfred University, Mansfield University, Hilbert College, SUNY at Brockport, University of Buffalo, and SUNY at Stony Brook.

Occupational Opportunities

  • Early childhood programs
  • Education
  • Social services
  • Youth services
  • Elderly services
  • Criminal justice
  • Disability services
  • Substance abuse programs
  • Activity directors

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 33 percent are employed; 67 percent continued their education.

Related Programs

Entrance Requirements/Recommendations

Required: Algebra

Recommended: Geometry, Biology

Technical Standards - Human Services

These technical standards have been established to inform students of the skills and standards necessary for completion of the human services program and as a professional in the field of human services.

ABILITY

  STANDARD

EXAMPLES of necessary activities (not all-inclusive)

Physical Demands/Motor Skills

Students must possess physical ability to navigate in the classroom, intern site, and community.

Attend class and complete required number of hours during internship.

Attend and perform safely and satisfactorily in the classroom and in a human/social services agency/organization.

Meet the physical demands of internship placement, including demands related to the use of sensory and motor skills.

Critical Thinking/Observation/Sensory/Reasoning Skills

Demonstrate remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, and evaluating human services-related skills.

 

Accurately observe clients to effectively assess their situations.

Have sensory abilities to carry out necessary assessment activities.

Think critically, analyze, and interpret objective and subjective data.

Apply effective problem-solving skills.

Emotional and Mental

Demonstrate emotional and mental regulation.

Demonstrate appropriate coping mechanisms when managing life-stressors.

Use appropriate self-care.

Evaluate and appropriately modify behavior for medical or emotional problems that interfere with academic and internship performance.

Demonstrate appropriate use of self-disclosure.

Behavioral/Social Skills and Professionalism

Capacity to work with individuals, families, groups, and colleagues from a variety of social/emotional, agencies/organizations that support them.

Adhere to the Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals (NOHS).

Resolve ethical dilemmas that may occur among classmates, during class projects, and while at practicum sites.

Comply with applicable ethical and legal standards of privacy and confidentiality as they relate to clients, class activities, and internship placements.

Adheres to college policies on academic integrity and code of conduct

Ability to pass a background check.*

Communication Skills

Communication skills sufficient to communicate in class and in human service agencies/organizations.

Communicate effectively with other students, faculty, clients, and other professionals.

Have a willingness to listen attentively.

Communicate effectively through presentations, written assignments, small group settings, and through electronic means.

Perceive and interpret nonverbal communication.

Demonstrate competency in writing skills.

*Students must sign a document indicating they understand that if they have a felony conviction they may not pass a background check for employment in human services.

Human Services - AS Degree

TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

COMP 1503 Writing Studies 3
PSYC 1013 General Psychology 3
SOCI 1163 General Sociology 3
HUSR 2083 Introduction to Human Services 3
GLST 2113 Global & Diverse Perspectives 3
HPED xxx1 Physical Education   1
      16

HUSR 2083 fall only

Second

PSYC 1023 Human Development 3
PSYC 1063 Basic Helping Skills 3
HUSR 4033 Issues in Human Services 3
XXX xxx3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
MATH 1113 Statistical Concepts 3
    OR   
MATH 1123 Statistics I 3
      15

HUSR 4033 spring only

Third

SOCI 1223 Power, Privilege, & Difference 3
LITR xxx3 Literature Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 Department Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 Natural Science Elective 3
SPCH 1083 Public Speaking 3
      15

Fourth

SOCI 1183 Contemporary Social Problems 3
HUSR 1074 Practicum in Human Services 4
XXXX xxx3 American History Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 Open Elective 3
      16

Practicum (HUSR 1074) Prerequisites

  • Good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher)
  • Completion of PSYC 1063 and either HUSR 2083 or HUSR 4033 with a "C" or higher grade
  • Submission of HUSR 1074 practicum application form to the departmental practicum coordinator
  • Approval of the department faculty
  • Ability to pass any agency required background check

Internship Opportunities

In Practicum (HUSR 1074) students complete a substantial internship providing direct service to clients at one local/regional human services agency. Agencies include Accord Corp., Alfred Montessori School, Allegany County ARC, Allegany County Department of Health, Allegany County Office of the Aging, Allegany Rehabilitation Associates, Inc., Catholic Charities, Hornell Area Concern for Youth, Trapping Brook House, and the YMCA of Hornell.

Be advised that a prior felony conviction may impede a student's ability to participate in an internship and complete the program.

Graduation Requirements

  • Good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher)
  • Successful completion of all courses in the prescribed four-semester plan
  •  “C” average or higher needed in HUSR 2083, HUSR 4033, and PSYC 1063
  • HUSR 1074 with a “B” or higher

  • Submission of the college's degree application form

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.