Course Descriptions

HUS 101 - Introduction to Human Services - 3 Credits

This course is an introduction of the human service profession and the broad range of services and functions of the human service professional. The student will be exposed to the many roles that human service professionals play at their workplaces, types of agencies that employ human service workers, and a general overview of the human services profession. Students will learn about the helping process, aspects of multicultural work, ethical standards, legal and professional issues in the human service profession.

HUS 103- Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Development - 3 Credits

This course introduces the profession of early childhood care and development focusing on developmentally appropriate practices; types of programs in the field of early childhood and curriculum planning principles for young children’s early educational experiences, along with providing an overview of historical and social perspectives related to early childhood education.

HUS 104 - Observation of Childhood Behavior - 3 Credits

Co-requisite: HUS 103
This course is designed to assist students develop an understanding of the general principles of early childhood education through observation of children and gain a basic understanding of developmentally appropriate practice. A combination of classroom and field based observation designed for prospective early childhood educators will be used.

HUS 105 - Introduction to Basic Counseling Skills Used in Human Services Professions - 3 Credits

Prerequisites and Co-requisites: HUS 101: Introduction to Human Services serves as an ideal co-requisite of this course; however, if the student cannot enroll in HUS 101 and HUS 105 at the same time, HUS 101 should be considered a prerequisite of HUS 105.
This course is designed as an introduction to the skills used in basic counseling roles found in the human services field. Interviewing techniques, communication skills, problem-solving techniques, and conflict resolution are explored. Working with special populations is addressed. The course includes presentations, discussions, experiential activities, and role-playing which will afford the student the opportunity to test his/her knowledge and skills in the counseling field.

HUS 110 - Critical Topics in Chemical Dependency - 3 Credits

Prerequisites and Co-requisites: HUS 105: Introduction to Basic Counseling Skills Used in Human Services Professions serves as an ideal co-requisite of this course; however, if the student cannot enroll in HUS 110 and HUS 105 at the same time, HUS 110 should be considered a prerequisite of HUS 105.

This course serves as an introduction to the field of chemical dependency counseling. It explores each drug classification, an historical overview of cultural attitudes, the impact of abuse on individuals, families, and communities, treatment modalities, and international drug policies.

HUS 111 - Family Development Credential, Part I - 6 Credits

Co-requisite: Current employment with a Human Services Agency with direct family contact.
This course provides Human Service workers with the skills and competencies they need to facilitate family empowerment, and to help families attain a healthy self-reliance and interdependence within their communities. This course is the first half of the required curriculum for students who wish to qualify as candidates for the New York State Family Credential. Students will also complete 300 hours of supervised work experience in which to practice skills learned in the lecture portion of the class and which will form the basis of the portfolio that is submitted for the credential. The course is presented in an interactive format and the student will commit to role-playing as well as maintaining confidentiality.

HUS 112 - Family Development Credential. Part II - 6 Credits

Prerequisite: HUS 111.
Co-requisite: Current employment with a Human Services Agency with direct family contact.
This course provides Human Service workers with the skills and competencies they need to facilitate family empowerment, and to help families attain a healthy self-reliance and interdependence within their communities. This course is the second half of the required curriculum for students who wish to qualify as candidates for the New York State Family Credential. Students will also complete 300 hours of supervised work experience in which to practice skills learned in the lecture portion of the class and which will form the basis of the portfolio that is submitted for the credential. The course is presented in an interactive format and the student will commit to role-playing as well as maintaining confidentiality.

HUS 114 - Child Development Associate, Part I - 6 Credits

Co-requisite: Be 18 years of age or older, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to speak, read, and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA candidate, sign a statement of ethical conduct, obtain a field advisor, be currently working in an age-appropriate work setting approved by the Council’s guidelines. This will allow the candidate to practice “on-the-job” the principles presented in this course, along with fulfilling the required 480 hours experience working with children in the age-appropriate group setting for which the candidate is applying for CDA credentialing. This course meets for 60 hours/semester.

This course is designed to give candidates an in depth look at the early childhood profession. Based on the requirements for the Child Development Associate National Credential (CDA), the candidates will gain understanding in the following areas: providing a safe and healthy environment, principles of child development, observation skills of children’s interactions, enriching the learning environment through strategic room arrangement and develop a working knowledge of the concept “Developmentally Appropriate Practices.” Students will implement what they learn in childcare employment and through preparing the CDA portfolio.

HUS 115 - Child Development Associate, Part II - 6 Credits

Prerequisite: HUS 114
This course will give candidates a deeper understanding of early childhood best practices and theories. The candidate will gain a working knowledge in the following areas: providing stimulating activities to foster constructive play, explore positive discipline, and provide a supportive environment for early development. The candidate will learn ways to develop partnerships with parents and strengthen their overall level of professionalism. Successful completion of the program fulfills the candidates working hours of 480 and education requirements to earn the CDA credential. This course meets for 60 hours/semester.

HUS 116 - Overview of the Developmentally and Mentally Disabled Populations - 3 Credits

Corequisite: HUS 101
This course serves as an introduction to the field of working with the developmentally and mentally disabled populations. It explores the diagnoses and prevalence, and historical overview of cultural attitudes, the impact of stigma on individuals, families, and communities, and treatment modalities used in the care of individuals with disabilities.

HUS 175 - Ethical Foundations of Chemical Dependency Counseling - 3 Credits

Co-requisites: Critical Topics in Chemical Dependency (HUS 110), Introduction to Basic Counseling Skills Used in Human Services Professions (HUS 105) or permission of the Department Chairperson.

This course is designed as an introduction to the theories and ethical practices used in the chemical dependency counseling field. Historical development of each theory and current practical application will be stressed. Ethical situations that arise in counseling will be discussed and student’s understanding of the need for ethical practice will be explored.

HUS 200 - Case Management and Crisis Intervention - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: HUS 101, HUS 105
This course is designed to offer specialized, applied knowledge in the community services field to develop the skills and abilities in the case management process. The course will examine each step from intake through termination. Actual agency forms will give the student the opportunity to compile and manage cases and prepare client files. Students will also explore the role of the Human Services professional by examining different theories and strategies for crisis intervention for individuals and groups.

HUS 201 - Social Service Agencies - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: HUS 101, HUS 105
This course examines the mobilization of communities and the delivery systems of various social service programs. Community change processes will be introduced. Nationally prominent and locally managed programs will be analyzed in relation to internal structure, functions of management, defining mission statements, the identification of goals and objectives, competent service provision, the referral process, advocacy, diversity issues, flexibility, and worker burnout. The challenge of client empowerment via agency programming and influences of social policy will be addressed.

HUS 203 - Planning Programs for Children - 3 Credits

Prerequisites – HUS 103, 104
This course is designed to introduce the specific information and skills that are necessary for planning age appropriate programs for young children. Competency in planning activities that promote the emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and creative development of young children will be addressed. Some observation of early childhood behavior will be required.

HUS 206- Group Skills For Human Service Professionals - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: HUS 101, HUS 105
This course identifies and introduces the crucial skills that are necessary for competence in the area understanding systems and conducting groups. Areas include working with different types of groups, the treatment process, and responding to cultural differences that may affect group process. Specified populations will be addressed.

HUS 210 - Identification, Diagnosis, & Treatment Planning - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: HUS 101, HUS 105, HUS 110
This course is designed to instruct the student in the process of client identification, diagnosing, and treatment planning of substance abuse/dependency issues. It also explores the motivational techniques and the completion of treatment documentation.

HUS 217 - Working with Persons with Brain Disorders - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: HUS 101, HUS 116
This course provides the human services worker with the skills and competencies they need to support the individual who has sustained a brain disorder. It will provide ways in which to assist with reintegration back into the community and help the individual recognize their new normal.

HUS 281 - Field Practicum Seminar - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: HUS 101, HUS 105
Co-requisites: HUS 200, 201, 206
The objective of the Field Practicum Seminar is to provide students with the opportunity to discuss, examine, and prepare for their internship experiences. The seminar is intended to compliment the internship by offering a structured, yet informal setting to study the application of human services principles, objectives, and skills.

A basic premise of this seminar is that in any field setting a great deal about the delivery of human services, and about one’s own skills and attitude can be learned if one knows where, when, and how to observe.

HUS 282 - Field Practicum - 3 Credits

Prerequisite: HUS 281
The objective of the Field Practicum is to provide students with the opportunity to discuss, examine, and evaluate their internship experiences and observations. Students will be encouraged to integrate and apply knowledge learned in earlier courses, as well as to develop an analytical perspective appropriate for a student “participant observer.”

This practicum seeks to support students as they work their way through the maze of the field setting, by providing a forum for sharing questions and insights.

A total of 250 hours of fieldwork experience is needed to complete this course