Human Services

Paraprofessionals (assistants or aides), who have their associates degree, work with:

• Children
• Youth
• Special needs individuals
• Older adults

Typically, a paraprofessional has direct contact with clients or children and works with the guidance of a human services professional/teacher to:

• Provide care
• Set goals
• Follow treatment
• Evaluate progress of individuals

Our human services program includes a variety of degrees and certificates geared toward your needs and interests:

Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in Human Services

These programs offer strong foundations for anyone interested in the human services field. The A.S. program offers a wider range of liberal arts courses useful to students wishing to transfer to baccalaureate degree programs, while the A.A.S. program concentrates on courses most useful to students wishing to seek employment immediately after graduation. However, your choice of degree depends on your unique needs; we are here to help you select the degree program that’s right for you.

Associate of Science (A.S.) in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies

This program offers an outstanding foundation for students interested in pursuing careers in alcohol or substance abuse services. This program is especially designed for students wishing to pursue baccalaureate degrees in this field.

Certificate Programs

We offer four certificate programs in fields of special interest to Genesee students.

• The Certificate in Child Care prepares students to work with preschool children in educational or agency settings.
• The Certificate in Gerontology is ideal for students who wish to work with senior adults in health care facilities or agencies.
• The Certificate in Developmental Disabilities Studies prepares students to provide direct care to individuals in day treatment programs, community residences, and other organizations.
• The Certificate in Deaf Studies prepares students to have facilitated, basic communication with people with hearing problems.

All programs include outstanding human services courses combining theory and application, as well as communication, psychology, human relations, and other coursework that assists you in becoming a well-rounded human services employee. Our faculty members are outstanding teachers, mentors, and advisors. They are noted for their classroom skills, one-to-one attention to students, and extensive experience in the human services field.

You can complete degree programs in two years of full-time study, or a longer period of part-time study. You can complete certificate programs in a year of full-time study, or a longer period of part-time study. Credits you earn toward certificates are fully transferable to a human services degree program.

If you then wish to earn a bachelor’s degree, you will find numerous programs available after graduation from Genesee. Baccalaureate programs in social work or human services are the most popular among our graduates. These programs are located at SUNY College at Brockport, Buffalo State College, and Roberts Wesleyan College, among other colleges.

Associate of Science (AS)

This Program is designed to prepare for bachelor level Social Work or Human Services related programs, the AS in Human Services:

• Builds a foundation of knowledge and skills in many course areas
• Matches general education course requirements at transfer institutions ( providing students follow guidelines for suggested courses)
• Offers the opportunity to learn theories and skills for working with specific population groups (early childhood, older adult, developmentally disabled, alcohol and drug abuse)
• Provides students with two semesters of internship experiences

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

This Program is designed for students seeking employment immediately upon graduation. Emphasis is placed on courses which enable the student to gain theoretical knowledge important for working in human services and to apply concepts to specialized populations of their interest. By choosing specific electives, students may concentrate in:

• Child Care
• Community services
• Developmental disabilities
• Substance abuse
• Gerontology

In addition, a one-year Certificate in Child Care, Gerontology or Developmental Disabilities can be taken at the same time as the AAS in Human Services (with careful attention to electives).

Experience plays a major role in the curriculum, as each student takes two courses of fieldwork under the supervision of an outside agency and the Genesee Community College course instructor. During these internships, students directly apply concepts, knowledge and skills learned in their courses.

Genesee’s Human Services program offers a rich variety of student internship opportunities. As a student, you will participate in one or two real-life, semester-long work experiences. The objective: to give you the opportunity to practice your human services skills with agency clients under the supervision of agency staff, and coordinated with your human services faculty.

We offer internships at dozens of different human services agencies across Western New York, covering virtually every form of service. As part of each internship, you will participate in weekly seminars that help you combine classroom theory with skill development.

These unique internships give you the opportunity to develop the helping skills you will need to serve as a contributing member of an agency or prepare you to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Success at a transfer baccalaureate institution requires the following skills and abilities. The Human Services Program at Genesee Community College assists you in acquiring these skills and abilities so you can successfully transfer.

1. Critical thinking (process information not just memorize)
2. Ability to read and write very well
3. Time management: can handle heavy homework load
4. Ability to use internet for retrieving class readings
5. Understand and analyze professional journal articles
6. Ability to follow assignments and task direction exactly and independently

When it comes time for you to complete your application for admission to transfer institutions be sure your materials address your thinking, organizing and writing skills proficiencies. Any essay must be very well written. Be sure to proof read carefully.

Remember that the junior level in any program is demanding and intense. A bachelor level program in Social Work or Human Services is preparing you for employment at the professional level (supervisor, case manager, director).

Careful attention must be paid to the requirements of the intended transfer institution. Students must apply for admission into transfer programs and meet minimum entrance grade point averages. Acceptance is not guaranteed. Admission into the Social Work Program is fall only at many colleges. Apply in October or early November for the following fall semester. Some Social Work transfer programs (SUNY Brockport, for example) require a separate application process after admission to the bachelor level college.