Human Services, A.A.S. - SUNY Niagara

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Human Services

Human Services, A.A.S.

Program Overview

The Human Services AAS degree seeks to promote direct access to the human services, direct support, and social work industryin Western New York. As major changes in society continue to create increased demand in human services, there will be a needfor trained professionals who can understand and apply the principles of the helping arts supporting clients throughtechnological changes, changes in work patterns, increased bureaucratic complexity, and changes in the character and structureof 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, andin an online format. Because of sequencing of courses, it may take longer than four semesters to complete the full-time dayprogram if a student begins in a spring or summer semester or needs to take pre-requisites or foundation courses.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To offer students the opportunity to explore personal, academic and/or career interests by becoming familiar with thehuman services systems.
  • Through integrated classroom learning and field experience, acquire first-hand experience applying the principles of thehelping 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 servicesprofession.

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.
Catalog Information
Curriculum Overview

Career information and opportunities

Human Services, A.A.S.

SUNY Niagara’s Human Services A.A.S. prepares you for direct support and human services careers in Western New York. Study days, evenings or online, and gain field experience while you learn.

Apply now

Last updated:

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

  • Direct support professional
  • Case manager
  • Human services or mental health assistant
  • Behavior technician
  • Employment or success coach
  • Habilitation coordinator
  • Youth support or recreation assistant
  • Elder care assistant
  • Health care advocate
  • Substance abuse counselor

Some of these careers need more education or a state credential.

What will I learn to do?

  • Use the helping process with clients
  • Apply professional ethics
  • Solve client problems with critical thinking
  • Communicate effectively with clients
  • Use basic statistics and research methods
  • Support people through loss and grief
Sources

How much can I earn in Western New York?

Yearly pay in Western New York, 2026
Job Starting pay Median pay
Substance abuse and mental health counselors$44,080$57,060
Community health workers$43,340$54,380
Social and human service assistants$35,940$45,810
Childcare workers$33,280$36,200

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. 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.
  • Community health workers: Jobs are expected to grow about 30%, with about 100 openings each year.
  • Residential advisors: Jobs are expected to grow about 23%, with about 100 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

Who will I help?

  • People with intellectual or physical disabilities
  • Children and youth
  • Older adults
  • People in addiction recovery
  • Patients who need an advocate

Where do human services professionals work?

  • Group homes and residential programs
  • Social services agencies
  • Addiction treatment programs
  • Youth and after-school programs
  • Senior centers and elder care
  • Hospitals and health care agencies
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. Choose electives that match the people you want to help.
  4. Finish the A.A.S. and start your human services career.

You can study full or part time, during the day, in the evening or online. Depending on when you start and which courses you need first, it may take more than four semesters. Want to transfer to a bachelor’s program? Look at the Human Services A.A.

Which courses prepare me?

  • HUS 101 Introduction to Human Services
  • HUS 123 The Helping Process
  • HUS 102 Human Services Internship I
  • HUS 120/122 Disabilities: Birth to Adolescence, or Disabilities and Aging
  • HUS 213 Loss, Grief & Coping
  • HUS 204 Human Services Research & Synthesis
  • PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
Sources
Apply now

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