Human Services, A.A. - SUNY Niagara

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Human Services, A.A.

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Program Overview

Major changes in society have resulted in an increasing need for human services professionals. Advancing technology, an aging population, significant changes in the character and structure of the family, increased exposure to trauma, economic factors, and other social trends contribute to this need. As human problems and the bureaucracies designated to deal with these problems become increasingly complex, the need for highly trained, skilled human services workers is vital.

Graduates of the Human Services degree program have transferred to four-year colleges and to universities. They have found employment in early childhood centers, agencies serving the elderly, social services, alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, health care agencies, residential care facilities, community and government organizations, and a variety of other agencies.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Acquire first-hand experience helpful toward career development.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of social science research as used in the human services field.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with an overview of the human services systems.
  • Discuss professional ethics as they relate to human services.
  • Explain the loss and grief process.
  • Integrate classroom learning with field experience.
Catalog Information
Curriculum Overview

Career information and opportunities

Human Services, A.A.

SUNY Niagara’s Human Services A.A. prepares you to help people and communities facing complex challenges. You’ll combine classroom learning with field experience and build a base to transfer to a bachelor’s program.

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Last updated:

What careers does a Human Services A.A. lead to?

  • Case management aide
  • Social work assistant
  • Community outreach worker
  • Day rehabilitation worker
  • Early childhood teacher
  • Substance abuse counselor

Some of these careers need more education or a state credential. Many graduates go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.

What will I learn to do?

  • Use the helping process with clients
  • Understand human services systems
  • Apply professional ethics
  • Support people through loss and grief
  • Use social science research
  • Understand poverty, welfare and policy
Sources

How much can I earn in Western New York?

Yearly pay in Western New York, 2026
Job Starting pay Median pay
Child, family and school social workers$49,940$67,260
Healthcare social workers$49,130$65,480
Substance abuse and mental health counselors$44,080$57,060
Social and human service assistants$35,940$45,810

Starting pay is what newer workers typically earn. Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less.

Western New York includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Social workers usually need a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Pay depends on the job, your experience, your education and the employer.

What is the job outlook in Western New York?

  • Social and human service assistants: Jobs are expected to grow about 25% from 2022 to 2032, with about 390 openings each year.
  • Substance abuse and mental health counselors: Jobs are expected to grow about 28%, with about 230 openings each year.
  • Child, family and school social workers: Jobs are expected to grow about 22%, with about 215 openings each year.
  • Healthcare social workers: Jobs are expected to grow about 26%, with about 165 openings each year.

Across all jobs in Western New York, employment is expected to grow about 9%. Human services jobs are expected to grow much faster than that.

Sources

Where do human services professionals work?

  • Social services agencies
  • Alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs
  • Health care agencies
  • Residential care facilities
  • Agencies serving older adults
  • Early childhood centers
  • Community and government organizations

SUNY Niagara Human Services graduates have worked in all of these settings.

Where will I get hands-on experience?

  • A human services internship or co-op in your second semester
Sources

How do I get there?

  1. Learn the foundations of human services, psychology and sociology.
  2. Complete an internship or co-op in a human services setting.
  3. Finish the 64-credit A.A., including your general education courses.
  4. Transfer to a bachelor’s program in social work or a related field.

The A.A. is designed for transfer, and graduates have gone on to four-year colleges and universities. Work with your advisor to plan your transfer.

Which courses prepare me?

  • HUS 101 Introduction to Human Services
  • HUS 123 The Helping Process
  • HUS 106 Poverty, Welfare & Policy
  • HUS 102 Human Services Internship I
  • HUS 213 Loss, Grief & Coping
  • HUS 204 Human Services Research & Synthesis
  • PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
  • MAT 164 Introduction to Statistics
  • BIO 117 Human Biology
Sources
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Last updated:

Program Coordinators

  • Ryan Macey Wise, Ph.D.
  • Program Coordinator and Instructor, Human Services.
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, University of Oregon; Master of Science and Ph.D., Child and Family Studies, Syracuse University.
  • Phone: 716-614-6712
  • Email: rwise@niagaracc.suny.edu
  • Location: E-132