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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

Human Services employees are called upon to provide a wealth of services to people at every stage of life, from infancy to senior adulthood. The Human Services field encompasses hundreds of different careers in both public and private organizations. Common to all of these Human Services careers is one underlying goal: to help those in need overcome obstacles, and learn to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

Why GCC?

At GCC, you can choose to specialize in a particular field within Human Services, such as:

  • Alcohol and substance abuse
  • Gerontology
  • Developmental disabilities

Many GCC students experience valuable internship field placements in the areas advocacy, youth, adolescent and family services, government agencies, legal services, recreation and rehabilitation

With a Human Services degree, you have the option to change your position and specialty throughout your career. It is not uncommon to move into:

  • Human services management
  • Counseling
  • Social work
  • Teaching
  • Consulting

Degree Types

Associate In Applied Science (AAS)

AAS Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Upon successful completion of the AS Human Services program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Apply critical thinking skills required to practice effective generalist human service helping.
  2. Utilize fundamental helping skills necessary for generalist, paraprofessional practice.
  3. Identify basic theories/models that impact best practice standards for human service delivery.
  4. Identify intrapersonal competencies that influence quality of internship outcomes.
  5. Utilize verbal communication and written skills essential for collaboration with supervisors, colleagues and clients.
  6. Apply culturally competent techniques for effective engagement with diverse populations.
  7. Integrate human service ethical standards within the profession.
  8. Identify social policy that drives human service practice (client care, community resources available and roles of human service helpers).

Download the 2024-2025 Curriculum Worksheet for AAS [PDF]

Associate In Science (AS)

AS Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Upon successful completion of the AS Human Services program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Analyze critical thinking skills required for transfer institution level learning.
  2. Evaluate fundamental helping skills necessary for practice in the human service field.
  3. Assess theories/models that impact best practice standards.
  4. Evaluate intrapersonal competencies that influence quality of internship outcomes.
  5. Appraise verbal and written skills essential for collaboration with supervisors, colleagues, and clients.
  6. Analyze culturally competent techniques for effective engagement with diverse populations.
  7. Examine human service ethical standards within the profession.
  8. Explain social policy that drives human service practice (client care, community resources available and roles of human service helpers).

Download the 2024-2025 Curriculum Worksheet for AS [PDF]

College Students walking on outside on campus

Career Outlook

Please contact Career Services for more information.

Transfer Opportunities

Starting at GCC saves many students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an A.S. or A.A. degree you will be able to seamlessly transfer within the SUNY network of 64 college and universities as well as to many 4-year private institutions. GCC’s A.S. and A.A. programs were developed as part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative allowing students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree as a freshman and a sophomore at a community college, then seamlessly transfer to a SUNY four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please reference the SUNY Transfer Pathways for degree programs to learn about any campus specific requirements. Visit the SUNY Core Course Finder to plan out the courses you should complete to transfer to a 4-year SUNY School.

If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year private institution you should work with our Transfer Services office to learn about possible articulation agreements and pathways that exist for many or our degree programs. Some GCC A.A.S. programs also have transfer opportunities.

Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Daemen College
  • Hilbert College
  • Niagara University*
  • Roberts Wesleyan
  • St. John Fisher College*
  • SUNY College at Alfred State
  • SUNY College at Brockport
  • SUNY College at Buffalo
  • SUNY College at Canton*
  • University at Buffalo

*GCC has current transfer agreements with the above noted institutions.

To learn more about these opportunities and agreements contact the Transfer Services Office, we are more than happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have on building your own personalized transfer plan.