Our Human Services program focuses on training students with the skills necessary to provide culturally competent helping and supportive services to individuals, families, groups, and communities from diverse backgrounds. Our program specifically incorporates intensive training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) in our individual and group interviewing and counseling courses. MI is an evidence supported style of communication that is widely used within human services, social work and community health due to its effectiveness in supporting people in making difficult changes such as reducing or stopping substance use, adhering to medications, changing diet and exercise, and retaining in care for chronic health conditions. MI is an autonomy-supportive approach that engages the person in considering their own reasons for making changes in their behaviors to enhance their health and well-being.
Our graduates may also seek entry level professional employment positions in various settings, such as group homes, after-school programs, shelters, senior centers, day care programs and community-based organizations. The Human Services program also prepares students for employment in support positions (e.g., health navigator, patient navigator, community health worker) in healthcare settings.
Program Mission Statement
The Human Services Program at LaGuardia Community College prepare students for careers that focus on helping people and communities to solve problems and be catalysts for change.
The Human Services Program:
- Provides a solid foundation in the principles, theories and skills needed to be effective human services professionals who promote the values and ethics of working with diverse populations and respect the dignity of all individuals, families and communities.
- Prepares students for entry-level positions in the helping professionals, and to continue their education at the baccalaureate level.
- Increases students' abilities and use of technology in order to provide quality services for individuals, families, and communities.
- Engages students as proactive learners and preparing them to be life-long learners.
Program Goals
The Human Services Program at LaGuardia Community College goals are designed to fulfill the mission of the college and Council for Standards in Human Services Education recommendations.
- To provide students with a broad view of human services through an examination of institutions, service delivery systems and helping skills necessary for working with individuals, groups and communities at risk as well as the ethical and emotional challenges of working in the profession.
- To educate students in the fundamental concepts, skills, techniques, and intervention strategies needed for problem solving, crisis intervention and providing social and emotional support to people from different cultural, ethnic, faith system and socio-economic backgrounds.
- To provide students with an understanding of how communities are political action systems in developing grassroots human services and advocating for public human services.
- To empower our students at Human Services professionals to organize and participate in community decision- making processes, community planning and the development of human services, and community change techniques.
- To increase students’ abilities to utilize self-awareness and reflection in working with individuals, families and communities at risk as well as in providing self-care strategies.
Internship Requirement
The Human Services Program culminates with the Health & Human Services Internship course. This experiential learning experience challenges students to apply acquired competencies, skills and concepts in real world human services settings to enhance their ability to compete in the dynamic labor market while preparing them for advanced level of study at a 4-year college.
The internship course is only offered during the 12-week semester and requires one full day of work a week in a human-services setting. The internship course requires weekly reading and writing assignments as well as ePortfolio activities. Students who are unable to commit to one day a week during the 12-week term should consult with the Program Director at least one semester in advance to review options (e.g., summer volunteer work, beginning placement early with fewer hours required per week) for successful completion of the required internship in their final semester.
Hybrid Learning & ePortfolio
Many of the courses in the Human Services Program are offered as hybrid and will meet for two hours at a time. Students are expected to complete online learning assignments on their own time by given deadlines. Hybrid learning and ePortfolio help foster personal and professional growth in preparation for transfer.
Evening Program
Not all courses in the Human Services Program are offered every semester in the evening hours. Students should consult with their Human Services Faculty advisor to plan accordingly.
- Evenings every term – SCN195 and the Health Science Electives (SCH150, SCH210, SCN194)
- Fall I – HSS214, HSS216
- Fall II – HSS101, SCH160, SCN196
- Spring I – HSS102, HSS218, HSS290 and HSS295
- Spring II – SCH160, SCN196
Suggested sequence to complete program taking evening only courses
- Year 1: Fall II – HSS101; Spring I – HSS102 & HS Elective; Spring II – SCN195 & SCN196
- Year 2: Fall I – HSS214 & HSS216; Fall II – SCH160; Spring I – HSS218, HSS290 & HSS295