Human Services Minor
Description. The field of human service is broadly defined, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving overall quality of life of service populations. Combining social work, counseling, psychology, sociology, and education, the field requires professionals to perform a variety of helping roles within the social service arena while maintaining a respect for diversity and knowledge of multicultural perspectives. The Human Service minor represents a concentrated program of study, with courses designed to develop an understanding of the basic tenets of the human service profession. They are intended to help students develop a better understanding of the challenges facing diverse and underserved populations in society who traditionally seek services from public, nonprofit, and private human service agencies.
Learning Outcomes. Students will:
- Know the key historical developments and social movements impacting human service and counseling theory, research, and practice.
- Understand the nature of human systems and the conditions that promote or limit healthy functioning of individuals and groups.
- Identify, select, plan, manage, and evaluate ethically appropriate human service interventions that promote growth, goal attainment, and self-sufficiency.
- Understand individual, group, familial, and organizational culture and its impact on the development of self and other diverse populations.
- Demonstrate adequate communication, processing, advocacy, and writing skills necessary to implement services to a wide array of populations in need.
Rationale. The courses are designed to help students acquire basic competencies, such as communication and professional helping skills, knowledge of counseling and human service theory, and a general awareness of the impact of race, ethnicity, gender, family, spirituality, government, education, and social systems on human growth and development in our society. Students will learn to assist others in a number of human service capacities including, problem resolution and prevention, advocacy, community resource management, and individual and community intervention. Students will develop an understanding of the history, philosophy, and methodology of the human service profession in our society.
Credits. 18
Minor coordinator. Professor Mickey Melendez, Department of Counseling (212.237.8101, mimelendez@jjay.cuny.edu)
Prerequisites. ENG 201, PSY 101. ENG 201 fulfills the Required Core: English Composition category and PSY 101 fulfills the Flexible Core: Individual and Society of the College’s general education program.
Requirements. A maximum of two courses can overlap with a student’s major, other minor or program.
Part One. Required Courses
| CHS 150 | Foundations of Human Services Counseling | 3 |
| | or | |
| CSL 150 | Foundations of Human Services Counseling | |
| CSL 233 | Multicultural Issues in Human Services | 3 |
| CHS 235 | Theories of Assessment and Intervention in Human Services | 3 |
| | or | |
| CSL 235 | Theories and Interventions of Human Services Counseling | |
Total Credit Hours: 9
Part Two. Electives
**At least one course must be taken at the 300 level.
| CHS 310 | Advanced Interpersonal Counseling Skills | 3 |
| | or | |
| CSL 210 | Peer Counseling Training | |
| CHS 311 | Field Education in College Community Outreach | 3 |
| | or | |
| CSL 211 | Peer Counseling Practicum | |
| CSL 220 | Leadership Skills | 3 |
| CSL 227 | Families: Stress, Resiliency and Support Systems | 3 |
| CHS 230 | Culture, Direct Service and Community Practice | 3 |
| | or | |
| CSL 230 | Case Management in Human Services | |
| CSL 260 | Gender & Work Life (was Counseling in Gender & Work Life) | 3 |
| CSL 280 | Selected Topics in Counseling and Human Service | 3 |
| CSL 342/PSY 342 | Introduction to Counseling Psychology | 3 |
| CSL 363 | Vocational Development and Social Justice in Human Services | 3 |
| CHS 381 | Field Education in Human Services I | 3 |
| | or | |
| CSL 381 | Fieldwork in Human Service | |
| CSL 389 | Independent Study 300-level | 3 |
Interdisciplinary Studies Program (ISP) - A designated number of interdisciplinary studies courses can be used to complete requirements when appropriate to the topic of human service. Contact the ISP Department (Room 6.65.00 NB) for details about courses, and consult with the Human Service minor coordinator before registering.
Total Credit Hours: 9
Total Credit Hours: 18