The Human Services and Community Justice major is designed to train students in the theory and practice of human services. Students in this major will progress through required core courses designed to prepare them to become self-reflective, competent, and compassionate practitioners, change agents, advocates, and community leaders. Subsequently, through multidisciplinary, methods, and elective courses, students will continue to develop a rich appreciation for diverse human systems and interventions, justice and advocacy, and policy and administration promoting a “just” society.
Upon graduation from the program, students will find that they are well prepared to enter advanced degree programs specializing in direct human services such as counseling, community psychology, social work, and public health. They will also have a strong foundation in advocacy work such as community labor, human and political rights, policy analysis, urban affairs and public administration.
Major Requirements
HSCJ Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
Major Advising in Fall/Spring
Human Services and Community Justice major advising is being done remotely in Fall 2023. Students can email Prof. Taylor (bltaylor@jjay.cuny.edu) to request an appointment or see her appointment schedule via her personal availability link (https://jjay-cuny.campus.eab.com/pal/XTri-e1ZDy). Prof. Taylor is happy to arrange Zoom appointments, since that method is the easiest way to share information. She is also open to telephone access to Zoom appointments, if desired.
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
Human Services and Community Justice major advising is being done remotely in Summer 2023. Students can email Prof. Taylor (bltaylor@jjay.cuny.edu) to request an appointment or see her appointment schedule via her personal availability link (https://jjay-cuny.campus.eab.com/pal/XTri-e1ZDy). Prof. Taylor is happy to arrange Zoom appointments, since that method is the easiest way to share information. She is also open to telephone access to Zoom appointments, if desired.
Registration and Major Holds
Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a hold on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with Prof. Taylor (bltaylor@jjay.cuny.edu). This discussion will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
- Complete your math foundation requirement in your first year. The HSCJ major requires MAT 108 or higher as a prerequisite.
- Complete your other foundational course for the major as soon as possible by taking one of the following courses: ANT 101 or PSY 101 or SOC 101.
- Take CHS 150 as soon as possible, since it provides an introduction and is a prerequisite for many of the courses in the major.
- Look ahead in the major to be aware of any course prerequisites and preferred sequences. For example, here is one recommended sequence for some of the core courses: CHS 150 + AFR 145 → CHS 230→ AFR 227 + CHS 235 → CHS 310
- The Department of Counseling and Human Services offers a wide selection of elective courses in Category A, Category B, and Category C. You must select one course in each category. Discuss your options with your major advisor.
- The HSCJ major requires two field education placements (a total of 300 hours). You will need to sign up one year in advance. Meet with the Field Education Coordinator to discuss placement options.
Monitor Your Progress in the Major (Major Checklist, Sample 4 yr Plan)
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool.
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Major Requirement Worksheet - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.
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Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.
Why HSCJ?
- the need for services to help address problems related to mental illness, poverty, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and other psycho- social-economic issues impacting contemporary society
- the escalating need for childcare, elder home care and senior citizen services
- a documented trend of deinstitutionalization, which leaves many who are chronically ill left to their own devices and in desperate need of community support services
- increasingly flexible sentencing guidelines, which favor alternative programs over prison time. This shift has increased the need for community-based social service treatment programs and human service professionals trained to provide support for these targeted populations
Top Ten Reasons to Major in HSCJ
1. Work towards a career in which employment is steadily increasing.
2. Make a difference in the lives of others and in your community.
3. Find immeasurable joy and satisfaction that comes from this meaningful work.
4. Advocate for society’s most vulnerable and underrepresented.
5. Engage in work that celebrates diversity and difference.
6. Take classes with knowledgeable and supportive faculty.
7. Gain valuable work experience through required internships.
8. Address issues of injustice in prisons and the criminal justice system.
9. Prepare for advanced degrees in social work, counseling, and community service.
10. Transform society toward greater gender, racial, ethnic, and economic equality.
Serving Diverse Populations
Career Opportunities
Behavioral Management Aide
Case Manager/Worker
Community Organizer/Advocate
Correction Treatment Counselor
Family and Child Advocate
Juvenile and Domestic Violence Counselor
Juvenile Court Liaison
Parole Officer
Pre-Trial Service Officer
Rehabilitation Case Worker
Social and Community Service Manager
Child Welfare Specialist
Public Policy Advocate
Social Work Assistant
Career opportunities with advanced educational training:
Clinical/Counseling Psychologist
Family Therapist
Mental Health Counselor
Social Worker
Areas of Employment
Public and Private Child Welfare Agencies
Probation and Parole Offices
Mental Health Clinics
Correctional Facilities
Community Health Centers
Substance Abuse Clinics
Health Centers
Educational Facilities
Criminal Justice Agencies
Social Services Agencies
Business and Industry
Halfway Houses
Hospitals
Residential Treatment Centers
Courts
Senior Centers
Adoption Centers
Day Care Facilities
Group Homes
Hospital and Medical Facilities