The baccalaureate program in Human Services prepares students for mid-level career positions in any social welfare agency. This includes positions such as case manager, social services supervisor, senior center director, job counselor, child welfare worker, group residence director/ supervisor, information and referral specialist, outreach worker, public health worker, mental health associate, substance abuse counselor, vocational counselor, probation and parole officer.

Program Outcomes

A mission of the Human Services Department is to assist associate and bachelor students in acquiring a human service practice foundation. Graduates of our Human Service programs will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Understanding of the historical development of human services including its impact. Students will be able to analyze and interpret historical data for applications in advocacy and social change.
• Knowledge and application of the theories of the interaction of individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal systems.
• Ability to analyze and apply theories, knowledge and skills to the scope of conditions that promote or inhibit human functioning to the range of populations served and needs addressed by human services.
• Knowledge and skills in systematic analysis of services and needs; selection of appropriate strategies, services, or interventions; and evaluation of outcomes.
• Knowledge and skills development in information management. Students will be able to analyze and apply information in the service of clients or client groups through development, design, implementation and evaluation of plans of action.
• Knowledge and skills in direct service delivery and appropriate interventions. Students will be able to demonstrate analysis and application of theory and knowledge bases.
• Interpersonal skills development such as conflict resolution, establishing rapport with clients, and ethical and professional behavior.
• Administrative skills necessary for services delivery such as strategic planning and evaluation, leadership, supervision, budgeting and monitoring, grant and contract negotiations, and compliance with regulatory issues.
• Demonstrate human services values and attitudes and understanding of human services ethics and their application in practice.
• Awareness of their own values, personalities, reaction patterns, interpersonal styles, and limitations.

In addition, graduates of the human services program are prepared to pursue graduate-level education in a number of professional areas. Students continue their professional development by applying to Master’s level programs in social work, counseling, gerontology, criminal justice, psychology, guidance, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, vocational therapy and public health and administration. Employers of human services graduates include but are not limited to state, city and community organizations.

The bachelor of science program is accredited and a member of the Council of Standards in Human Services Education, the National Organization for Human Services and the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Human Services.

Requirements for Admission, Placement and Progression within the Human Services BS Degree Program

The City Tech BS degree in human services is the only such baccalaureate program offered at CUNY. Baccalaureate degree students study counseling skills, case management, group work practice, grants, funding, volunteerism and research as well as the health and counseling of specific populations including gerontology, disabilities, addictions, children and families.

Students are required to arrange their schedules to complete two semesters of internship (400 hours) during the day. (Evening and weekend internships are rare). Students are expected to use community-based agencies that have a valid educational contract with the Human Services Department. They may use current human services employment, if the educational requirements/contracts are approved, in advance, by the Field Coordinator. Students must attend an orientation seminar during the semester prior to each internship course and complete a pre-placement contract for each internship course. Legal residence documentation, criminal background checks, child abuse registry checks, physical examinations, etc. may be required by the agency. The intern will be responsible for these costs if the agency does not pay or reimburse. The cost of travel will also be the responsibility of the intern. See the Manual for Human Services Field and Internships for additional information.

A minimum grade of “C” in each course with the prefix HUS and HEA is required within the human services curriculum. A student who has earned a grade lower than “C” in any HUS or HEA course must contact the Chairperson in order to repeat that course. For all other courses, the student must contact the Registrar to obtain permission to repeat a course. A course may only be repeated once. Please note that a minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required both for progression within the human services curriculum and for enrollment in a field practicum course. Students who fall below a 2.0 grade point average are required to arrange a meeting with a Human Services Department faculty advisor to discuss plans to improve their academic standing. Advisement hours and other important information is sent to the student’s City Tech email regularly and can also be accessed at www.citytech.cuny.edu.

Students may apply to enter the BS program in the following ways:

• As freshmen, if they meet college requirements for freshman admission into baccalaureate programs.
• Current Associate students can transfer their academic status to the HUS bachelor’s degree by completing a Change of Curriculum Form with a HUS faculty advisor. It is suggested that the change of curriculum from the AAS to the BS be completed prior to the student completing 45 credits.
• As transfers from another curriculum or college with an AAS degree in human services where 60 credits will be transferred and distributed into the HUS associate and baccalaureate required courses. Students should consult a faculty advisor to review course distribution in each of City Tech’s HUS programs. Students with an associate degree in human services can immediately register for HUS/HEA bachelor courses. Students will maintain their earned associate degree, and are not required to register for HUS/HEA courses in the associate degree. However, students are required to complete 120 credits towards the bachelor’s degree, which includes various core/liberal arts requirements.
• Transfer students with an AAS, AA or AS in another discipline may receive 60 credits towards the BS degree but will be required to complete HUS 2305 before enrolling in upper-division HUS courses. A Change of Curriculum Form and consultation with a HUS faculty advisor is required. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for admission to the program

Students with questions are advised to consult the Office of Admissions at 718.260.5500 or by email to admissions@citytech.cuny.edu. Transcripts of entering students will be evaluated by the Transfer Office to determine the courses they must complete for the bachelor of science degree. Please consult with a HUS department faculty advisor for further information.

The College will grant a bachelor of science (BS) degree with a major in Human Services upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120/121 credits.