Who We Are:
The Human Services Department of New York College of Technology educates students to be change agents, working with individuals, groups, and communities.
Program Description: Human Services
Human Services is a profession that is a learned craft, coupled with the social, cultural, economic, political and biological aspects of a society. In addition, individuals, family and communities are often the focus of agents in need of services, which a human service professional can provide. To deliver these services, the human service student is exposed to various professional and liberal arts learning at CityTech, where the associate and bachelor human service degree curriculum aids in this important preparation. Students then apply this knowledge to quality direct practice, using their educational skills in multiple employment arenas of their choice.
A degree in human services prepares students to work in the large field of social services. This can include attending to disorders (developmental/intellectual, physical, mental health/substance use), child and family welfare, older adults/gerontology, victim related services, social/legal advocacy and several at- risk/vulnerable populations in need of well-being. CityTech offers curriculum in health, mental health, counseling, case management, advocacy, entitlements, cultural competency, internship field practice, research and management-all which establish a foundation for community based practice in multiple facets of service delivery.
Human service students showcase their professional skills in settings which often include hospitals, behavioral health centers, nursing homes, schools, shelters, community based agencies, and within public health and social justice initiatives. Students utilize their skill set to conduct intakes, assessments, treatment plans, referrals, lead groups, complete research and data collection, counseling, promote community needs, prepare grants, budgeting and advocacy, as well as understanding the navigation of the larger social service system. Students practice these skills in four semesters of internship and acquire knowledge of the operation of community-based agencies, as well as the types of care and services a human service worker can provide.
Often, the Human Services Associate Degree student will transfer early into the Bachelor of Science Degree program, recognizing the increased educational and employment opportunities that support the profession. Afterwards, many graduates pursue higher education in related fields: Masters in Social Work; Mental Health Counseling; Disability Services; Clinical Psychology, Education; Guidance, Public Health and Public Administration.
The comprehensive, generalist, human services curriculum at CityTech prepares students for an all-inclusive experience in field, from pursuing experiences as a counselor, outreach worker, residence manager, social worker, probation officer, disability specialist, addictions counselor, patient advocate, recreation worker, health educator, advocate, to graduate student, the human service degree ‘opens doors’ that have a common mission, and educational requirement. Since the field is broad, students have several options to hone their acquired human service skills, and an associate degree-leading to the bachelors-is one of the best preparations.
Areas of Studies:
Welcome to the Human Services Department at New York City College of Technology webpage. Human Services is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on preventing and remediating problems, while striving to improve the overall quality of life in our communities.
With allied fields in health, social work and psychology, our graduates concentrate their skills in the following areas:
- Child and Family Welfare
- Gerontology
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Disabilities
- Health and Human Service Administration
Our graduates work with individuals, families and communities. Some work in schools, others in hospitals. Most of all, our work takes place in communities where our code of ethics charges us to work with unmet community needs. We are committed to treating those in need with dignity and respect, while empowering them through their personal choices and self-determination.
Our department’s overall goals are professionalism and service: we strive to model and train students to be well-polished leaders who serve populations in need, and improve the well-being of our communities. Based on two years of field practicum, those who graduate from our program are prepared to enter the workforce with training and solid grounding in human services.
Faculty and Staff:
We have 26 full-time and part-time faculty who serve as leaders in the field by sitting on boards, leading programs, and elected positions of national leadership. Through ongoing research and scholarship, we contribute to the developing depth and breadth of knowledge in the field.
We hope you choose to join us. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a line or come to our open houses.
Student Club Affiliations:
The Human Services Student Club
CREAR FUTUROS Student Mentoring Program
Accreditation:
Our degree programs are accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education.
Human Services Department Statement of Program Philosophy:
The New York City College of Technology, Human Services Department trains students in the theory and practice of human services to become reflective practitioners and change agents, supporting multiple facets of health, while working from case to cause to have a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities.
Soyeon Cho
Chair
Academic Complex A805N
718-260-5787
Soyeon.Cho45@citytech.cuny.edu
Department Location Information:
285 Jay Street
Academic Complex 805 (A-805)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Email: HumanServices@citytech.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-260-5135
Fax: 718-254-8530
STUDENT READY COLLEGE DEPARTMENTS, WHO ARE WE, for Fall 2023
