Human Services A.A.S.

School: Business and Professional Careers
Academic Dept: Professional Careers
HEGIS: 5501

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2022 to Summer 2023. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

This program is for the student wishing to enter social work or related fields, and who wishes to seek employment in counseling or therapy. Its aim is to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to enable children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, families, and groups to solve problems and achieve higher levels of social functioning.

The Human Services curriculum provides a broad background in the social and behavioral sciences. It offers the opportunity for supervised internships where students will be able to translate theory into practice by having actual experience working with individuals, families, and communities at local social service agencies, residential treatment centers, hospitals, and schools. Graduates can continue their education toward a Bachelor of Social Work degree or obtain employment in such areas as foster care, residential treatment, developmental disabilities, mental health, and social services. Practice options may include counseling, case management, group work and community advocacy.

The Human Service curriculum is flexible. Classes are held during the day and evening hours. Evening classes are held both on- and off-campus to allow students maximum opportunities to complete their degree in a timely manner. Students working in the field may use their employment for internship credit while attending human service seminars if the department approves.

Graduates wishing to pursue social work as a career can benefit from our transfer agreements with the accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs at the College of New Rochelle, Iona, Concordia, Adelphi, N.Y.U., Dominican, Marist, Stony Brook, Western Connecticut State College, SUNY Albany, Fordham, Lehman, Mercy College and others. After receiving the A.A.S. in Human Services at Westchester Community College, students can transfer into one of these programs as juniors and complete the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Successful completion of an accredited BSW makes it possible to apply for advanced standing status in MSW programs, making it possible to reduce the time required.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical knowledge base necessary for a human service professional.
Demonstrate the ability to apply the major values and ethics of the human service profession.
Demonstrate the human service practice skills necessary for work with individuals, families, and groups.
Demonstrate the ability to function effectively in entry-level positions in human service agencies.
Demonstrate competency and broad foundational knowledge in the general education curriculum as required by Westchester Community College.

Program Map

The academic map below presents the recommended plan of study and will guide you through your program in a timely manner. Click the course abbreviations for full course descriptions. A course may be critical because it is a pre-requisite, requires a minimum grade, or because it is only offered once a year. Missing a critical course may push back your graduation date. Meet with an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure you are on track to complete your program.

Critical Courses should be taken in the order shown to stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HSERV 101	✔		3
HSERV 200	✔		3
ENG 101	✔	✔	3
Mathematics Gen Ed Elective	✔	✔	3
SOC 101		✔	3
Semester Total Credits			15

Semester 2

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HSERV 260	✔	✔	4
HSERV 261	✔	✔	3
ENG 102	✔	✔	3
BIOL 103			4
PSYCH 101		✔	3
Semester Total Credits			17

Semester 3

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HSERV 102	✔		3
HSERV 262	✔	✔	3
HSERV 263	✔	✔	3
The Arts, Foreign Language, or Other World Civilizations Gen Ed Elective			3
Free Elective			3
Semester Total Credits			15

Semester 4

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HSERV 264	✔	✔	3
COMM 109			3
POLSC 102			3
Liberal Arts Elective			3
Liberal Arts Elective			3
Semester Total Credits			15

Minimum Total Credits: 62

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

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Visit the Career Services page for more career resources.