Human Services

Helping people to help themselves is the common thread in Human Services, and the field is diverse and extensive. You may work in education, child care, social services, mental health, home health, or recreation. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "The number of social and human service assistants is expected to grow by nearly 23 percent between 2008-2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This is due in large part to the aging population and increased demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment."

Field Experience

As part of your four-credit internship you will work in a human service agency. This field work course enables you to work for a minimum of 135 hours in direct care helping people to help themselves

Careers on Career Coach

Our graduates work as teachers in child development programs, child care workers in group homes, caregivers, examiners in social service agencies, recreation specialists in geriatric settings, and caregivers in centers for children who are developmentally disabled, among other positions. Recent graduates have been employed by Catholic Charities, Cortland County Community Action Program, Cortland Migrant Outreach Program, Family and Children’s Services of Ithaca, Franziska Racker Centers, Mental Health Association, Tompkins County, J.M. Murray Center, Tioga Opportunities, Inc., Tompkins Community Action/Headstart, Tompkins County Youth Advocate Program, Inc. Learn more about related jobs: 

Program Chairs

Patty Tvaroha

 

 

 

 

 

 


PATTY TVAROHA, MAAE

Associate Professor, Human Services

Patty Tvaroha is a proud alumnus of Tompkins Cortland’s Human Services program. After graduating from Tompkins Cortland in 1998, Patty transferred to SUNY Cortland to become the first student to complete the two plus two articulation agreement and earn a BS in Human Services.

Read more

 

 faculty-patmercer

PATRICK MERCER

Professor

When I was completing my undergraduate degrees in Recreation, Outdoor Management, and Leisure Commercial Management at Lock Haven University, I stumbled across a sign while rock climbing during spring break at Seneca Rocks in WV. It read, “Here ends the Realm of the Hiker...” As an Outdoor Educator and Associate Professor, I heed the message from this sign as I help people overcome their own challenges to experience something greater or more intense in the field of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Read more

 

Transfer Options

Recent transfer institutions include:

  • Binghamton University
  • SUNY College at Brockport
  • SUNY College at Canton
  • SUNY College at Cortland
  • Elmira College
  • Empire State College
  • SUNY College at Fredonia
  • Hunter College, City University of New York
  • Ithaca College
  • Keuka College
  • Syracuse University
  • Wells College

Degree Requirements

A.A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 61 credits

Fall Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS105, Introduction to Human Services, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
@
Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS200, Generalist Social Work Practice Skills, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
A minimum grade of C is required in the Human Service Elective.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
CDSC101, Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling, 4 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
HUMS@
POSC112, Introduction to Public Administration, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Students who intend to transfer into a Social Work program should choose MATH 200.
MATH1@
MATH2@
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
POSC@
Use Schedule Search for electives

Fall Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
HUMS229, Applied Methods in Human Services, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
ENGL201, Public Speaking Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL204, Interpersonal Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL210, Intercultural Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
A minimum grade of C is required in the Human Service Elective.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
CDSC101, Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling, 4 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
HUMS@
POSC112, Introduction to Public Administration, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Choose any 200-level SOCI course. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor.
SOCI2@
Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 16
HUMS232, Human Service Internship & Seminar, 4 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
A minimum grade of C is required in the Human Services Elective.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
CDSC101, Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling, 4 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
HUMS@
POSC112, Introduction to Public Administration, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
PSYC@
Use Schedule Search for electives
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
@
Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.

Degree Requirements

A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 61 credits

Fall Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS105, Introduction to Human Services, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
@
Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS200, Generalist Social Work Practice Skills, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
PSYC263, Development Across the Lifespan, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
POSC103, American National Government Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
POSC104, American State and Local Government Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ANTH@
ARAB@
ART101, Art History: Ancient to Early Medieval, 3 cr.
ART102, Art History: Renaissance to Contemporary , 3 cr.
ART104, History of Photography and Video, 3 cr.
ASL@
ASTR@
BIOL@
CHEM@
CHIN@
COMM101, Mass Media, 3 cr.
COMM225, Communication Law and Ethics, 3 cr.
CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
CSCI160, Computer Science I, 3 cr.
CSCI165, Computer Science II, 3 cr.
CSCI205, Computer Science III-Data Structures, 3 cr.
ECON@
EDUC295, Foundations of Education, 3 cr.
ENGL@
ENVS295H, Global Seminar-Honor, 3 cr.
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr.
ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS105, Environmental Ethics, 3 cr.
ENVS107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
ENVS110, Food Systems I: Introduction to the U.S. Food System, 3 cr.
ENVS111, Food System II: Food Movements, 3 cr.
ENVS112, Food Systems III: Identity, Ethics, and Culture in the Global Food System, 3 cr.
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr.
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr.
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr.
ENVS295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
ESL101, English as a Second Language I, 8 cr.
ESL103, English as a Second Language II, 8 cr.
ESL120, Writing and Grammar III, 4 cr.
ESL121, Reading & Vocabulary III, 4 cr.
FREN@
GEOG@
GEOL@
GERM@
HSTY@
HUMN@
ITAL@
MATH@
METR@
MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr.
MUSI108, Music Theory I, 3 cr.
MUSI109, Music Theory II, 3 cr.
PHIL@
PHSC@
POSC@
PSYC@
RECR150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr.
RECR270, Wilderness and the American Culture, 3 cr.
RUSN@
SOCE@
SOCI@
SPAN@
WGST@
Use Schedule Search for electives

Fall Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
BIOL100, Human Biology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
HSTY201, American History to 1877 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HSTY202, American History Since 1877 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ANTH@
ARAB@
ART101, Art History: Ancient to Early Medieval, 3 cr.
ART102, Art History: Renaissance to Contemporary , 3 cr.
ART104, History of Photography and Video, 3 cr.
ASL@
ASTR@
BIOL@
CHEM@
CHIN@
COMM101, Mass Media, 3 cr.
COMM225, Communication Law and Ethics, 3 cr.
CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
CSCI160, Computer Science I, 3 cr.
CSCI165, Computer Science II, 3 cr.
CSCI205, Computer Science III-Data Structures, 3 cr.
ECON@
EDUC295, Foundations of Education, 3 cr.
ENGL@
ENVS295H, Global Seminar-Honor, 3 cr.
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr.
ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS105, Environmental Ethics, 3 cr.
ENVS107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
ENVS110, Food Systems I: Introduction to the U.S. Food System, 3 cr.
ENVS111, Food System II: Food Movements, 3 cr.
ENVS112, Food Systems III: Identity, Ethics, and Culture in the Global Food System, 3 cr.
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr.
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr.
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr.
ENVS295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
ESL101, English as a Second Language I, 8 cr.
ESL103, English as a Second Language II, 8 cr.
ESL120, Writing and Grammar III, 4 cr.
ESL121, Reading & Vocabulary III, 4 cr.
FREN@
GEOG@
GEOL@
GERM@
HSTY@
HUMN@
ITAL@
MATH@
METR@
MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr.
MUSI108, Music Theory I, 3 cr.
MUSI109, Music Theory II, 3 cr.
PHIL@
PHSC@
POSC@
PSYC@
RECR150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr.
RECR270, Wilderness and the American Culture, 3 cr.
RUSN@
SOCE@
SOCI@
SPAN@
WGST@
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Choose from PSYC 209-Abnormal Psychology, or a 200-level SOCI course. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor.
PSYC209, Abnormal Psychology, 3 cr.
SOCI2@
Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 16
HUMS232, Human Service Internship & Seminar, 4 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
ENGL201, Public Speaking Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL204, Interpersonal Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL210, Intercultural Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
A minimum grade of C is required in the Human Services Elective.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
CDSC101, Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling, 4 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
HUMS@
POSC112, Introduction to Public Administration, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Choose a course that satisfies one of the following SUNY GEN ED areas: 5-Western Civilization, 6-Other World Civilizations, 8-The Arts, or 9-Foreign Language. The course should be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH220, Applied Anthropology in a Globalizing World, 3 cr.
ANTH260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
ARAB101, Arabic I, 3 cr.
ARAB102, Arabic II, 3 cr.
ART101, Art History: Ancient to Early Medieval, 3 cr.
ART102, Art History: Renaissance to Contemporary , 3 cr.
ART109, Introduction to Graphic Design, 3 cr.
ART110, Design I, 3 cr.
ART111, Photography I, 3 cr.
ART112, Photography II, 3 cr.
ART114, Design II, 3 cr.
ART115, Painting I, 3 cr.
ART117, Design Foundations I, 3 cr.
ART118, Design Foundations II, 3 cr.
ART120, Drawing I, 3 cr.
ART122, Drawing II, 3 cr.
ART130, Ceramics, 3 cr.
ART131, Ceramics II, 3 cr.
ART180, Typography, 3 cr.
ART200, Illustration, 3 cr.
ART259, Web and Digital Application Design, 3 cr.
ART270, Computer Graphics, 3 cr.
ART271, Layout Design, 3 cr.
ASL101, Beginning American Sign Language I, 3 cr.
ASL102, Beginning American Sign Language II, 3 cr.
CHIN101, Mandarin Chinese I, 3 cr.
CHIN102, Mandarin Chinese II, 3 cr.
ENGL105, Beginning Acting, 3 cr.
ENGL200, Screenwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL212, Fiction Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL255, Writing Television Drama & Comedy, 3 cr.
ENGL256, Playwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL262, Poetry Writing, 3 cr.
FREN101, French I, 3 cr.
FREN102, French II, 3 cr.
FREN201, Intermediate French I, 3 cr.
FREN202, Intermediate French II, 3 cr.
GERM101, Beginning German I, 3 cr.
GERM102, Beginning German II, 3 cr.
HSTY101, Development of the Western Tradition I, 3 cr.
HSTY102, Development of the Western Tradition II, 3 cr.
HSTY110, World History to 1500, 3 cr.
HSTY111, World History Since 1500, 3 cr.
HSTY245, Topics in Modern Asia, 3 cr.
HSTY252, Native American History: Colonial Policies, 3 cr.
HSTY260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
HUMN232, Introduction to World Religions, 3 cr.
IED260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
ITAL101, Italian I, 3 cr.
ITAL102, Italian II, 3 cr.
MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr.
POSC245, Topics in Modern Asia, 3 cr.
POSC260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
RECR150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr.
RECR215, Recreation and the Expressive Arts, 3 cr.
RECR270, Wilderness and the American Culture, 3 cr.
RUSN101, Russian I, 3 cr.
RUSN102, Russian II, 3 cr.
SOCE150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr.
SOCE258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr.
SOCI220, Dev Anthropology in a Globalizing World, 3 cr.
SOCI225, Globalization & the Contemporary World, 3 cr.
SPAN101, Beginning Spanish I, 3 cr.
SPAN102, Beginning Spanish II, 3 cr.
SPAN201, Intermediate Spanish I, 3 cr.
SPAN202, Intermediate Spanish II, 3 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.

Degree Requirements

Certificate: Human Services
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 30 credits

Fall Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS105, Introduction to Human Services, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
HUMS104, Introduction to Corrections Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS125, Introduction to Early Childhood Education Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

Spring Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HUMS200, Generalist Social Work Practice Skills, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
PSYC201, Social Psychology Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
PSYC205, Childhood Psychology Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
POSC@
Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Choose from ANTH 202, CDSC 101, CRJU 105, HUMS/CRJU 104, HUMS 111, HUMS 114, HUMS/ECHD 125, HUMS 128, HUMS/SOCI 206, HUMS/CRJU 212, HUMS/ECHD 225, POSC 112, or SOCI 203.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
CDSC101, Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling, 4 cr.
CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
HUMS104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr.
HUMS111, Introduction to Aging and Elder Studies, 3 cr.
HUMS114, The Process of Group Communication, 3 cr.
HUMS125, Introduction to Early Childhood Education, 3 cr.
HUMS128, The Family: Strength-Based Intervention, 3 cr.
HUMS206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr.
HUMS212, Community Corrections, 3 cr.
HUMS225, Early Childhood Curriculum Development, 3 cr.
POSC112, Introduction to Public Administration, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.

Degree Requirements

Microcredential: Direct Service Provider I
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 7 credits

Direct Service Providers work with individuals with physical and/or intellectual challenges to become more integrated into their environments and communities. The Direct Service Provider I Credential requires completion of three courses:

HUMS 105  Introduction to Human Services (3 credits)
HUMS 107  Introduction to Disability Studies (3 credits)
HUMS 120  Direct Service Provider I Field Work (1 credits)
 

Degree Requirements

Microcredential: Direct Service Provider II
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 7 credits

Direct Service Providers work with individuals with physical and/or intellectual challenges to become more integrated into their environments and communities.

The Direct Service Provider II Credential at Tompkins Cortland requires completion of three courses.

HLTH 206  Personal Health (3 credits)
HUMS 109  Case Management and Documentation (3 credits)
HUMS 121  Direct Service Provider II Field Work (1 credits)

Degree Requirements

Microcredential: Residential Aide*
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 15 credits

ENGL 101   Academic Writing II       

3 Credits                                                          

HLTH 207 or HLTH208  Drug Studies or Alcohol & Alcoholism   

3 Credits                               

PSYC 103     Introduction to Psychology 

3 Credits                                                  

CDSC 101 or HUMS 105 Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling or Introduction to Human Services     

3 Credits                                      

CDSC 210 or HUMS 114 Group Counseling: Theory & Practice or The Process of Group Communication       

3 Credits                          

Academic Writing II

This course develops and refines student writing in an academic context. Students engage and respond to challenging texts as they develop critical thinking skills. They learn to support their ideas with credible, authoritative information from academic sources and to recognize audience, purpose, and bias. Special sections may center on a theme. ENGL 101 fulfills the SUNY General Education Basic Communication requirement.

Drug Studies

This course deals with current problems, views, and attitudes concerning psychoactive drugs and their usage. Students explore the effects of drugs on human physiology and interpersonal functioning. They are encouraged to consider their own relationship with chemicals and to evaluate information related to specific subject matter.

Alcohol and Alcoholism

This course is a basic study of the drug alcohol and the disease alcoholism. All facets of the subject are discussed, including the sociological, psychological, and physiological. Experts who represent various areas, such as the medical profession, the law, rehabilitation, counseling, and psychiatry are called upon to share their knowledge and expertise with the class. An honest and practical look is taken at a drug affecting most of us in some way.

Introduction to Psychology

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Prevalent psychological theories and research will be introduced. Topics may include: psychological research, biology and behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, cognition, development, emotion, motivation, personality, mental disorders, therapy and social psychology.

Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling

This course is designed to provide an introduction to clinical interviewing and substance abuse counseling. Students explore and practice basic and essential dimensions of interviewing techniques, methodology, and applications. Students gain insight into theoretical, practical, and ethical issues associated with chemical dependency counseling. Guidelines associated with core skills of the helping relationship and confidentiality are explored.

Introduction to Human Services

The purpose of this course is to identify agencies in the community that provide human services. Emphasis is placed on examination of the particular mission, objectives, organization, staffing patterns, and funding of such agencies. The interaction of various roles of the human service network is also examined. The course is intended for human service students, as well as for interested community members. The instructional modes include lecture, seminar, agency visits and presentations.

Group Counseling: Theory & Practice  

This course is devoted to group theory and interventions with chemically dependent individuals. A variety of theoretical perspectives and empirically supported approaches are reviewed. Techniques for assessment, treatment, and care coordination are discussed. This course includes material on special populations, best practices, and relapse issues.

The Process of Group Communication

This course examines group process and its relationship to service organizations. Students study norms, roles, group rules, power, and leadership of small groups. Students experience and evaluate new techniques and methods of working with small groups in a human service setting.

* Please contact admissions. Financial aid restrictions apply. Student must complete 50% of microcredential coursework at TC3 to earn credential.

Student Showcase