Human Services Degree Program Guide
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced nearly $70 million in funding for education, HIV prevention, and suicide prevention programs. Greater funding helps professionals meet their clients’ unique needs. Those who work in the human services career field all share the same goal: improving people’s lives.
An online human services degree program can prepare you for a career as a caseworker, community outreach worker, or substance use counselor. Many jobs require a master’s degree or a state-issued license. Fortunately, some online programs’ accelerated curricula can help you launch your career or apply to graduate school as soon as possible.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Human Services Programs
St. Joseph's University New York
Brooklyn, NY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,976
- Out-of-state$29,976
- In-State$20,250
- Out-of-state$20,250
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled4,687
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$34,000
- Out-of-state$34,000
- In-State$34,000
- Out-of-state$34,000
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled1,933
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$10,990
- Out-of-state$33,739
- In-State$12,106
- Out-of-state$32,290
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled48,274
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$29,024
- Out-of-state$29,024
- In-State$15,244
- Out-of-state$15,244
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled9,009
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$32,690
- Out-of-state$32,690
- In-State$16,875
- Out-of-state$16,875
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled3,209
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$12,840
- Out-of-state$22,810
- In-State$9,444
- Out-of-state$17,436
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled24,797
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$40,070
- Out-of-state$40,070
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$11,700
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled3,439
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$34,412
- Out-of-state$34,412
- In-State$11,880
- Out-of-state$11,880
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled2,424
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$28,660
- Out-of-state$28,660
- In-State$11,286
- Out-of-state$11,286
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled1,445
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$29,200
- Out-of-state$29,200
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled4,010
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
What Can I Do With a Human Services Degree?
Human services career pathways depend on your degree, area of professional interest, and relevant licenses and certifications. The information in this section highlights the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Human Services Degree Jobs
Students in a human services program can explore many career paths, such as physical health, mental health, and community improvement jobs. Introductory coursework lets you research these and other options. You can also work with a college career counselor to choose a degree, as well as electives that align with your professional goals.
Fortunately, the BLS projects the need for community and social services professionals to grow faster than average from 2023-2033. Changing economic circumstances may mean more or fewer jobs for recent graduates.
How Much Money Can I Make With a Human Services Degree?
A human services degree program can prepare you for one of the below careers.
Many factors affect salary, such as your concentration, years of relevant experience, and location. Recent graduates with a human services bachelor’s degree should expect to learn less than their career’s median salary.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistant | $41,410 | 8% | Connects clients with appropriate services, helps clients fill out paperwork |
| Community Health Worker | $48,200 | 13% | Performs client home visits, acts as a client advocate, provides coaching |
| Substance Use Counselor, Behavioral Therapist, Mental Health Counselor | $53,710 | 19% | Develops treatment plans, works with clients and family members, refers clients to appropriate services |
| Social Worker | $58,380 | 7% | Identifies clients’ areas of need, researches appropriate resources, maintains confidential records |
| School Counselor | $61,710 | 4% | Helps students identify areas of improvement, acts as a mentor, collaborates with teachers |
| Probation Officer | $61,800 | 4% | Helps incarcerated individuals transition to life outside prison, performs drug tests |
| Case Manager or Community Outreach Manager | $77,030 | 8% | Identifies community needs, analyzes data, manages outreach programs |
| Political Scientist | $132,350 | 3% | Develops and tests new policies, monitors developments, creates election forecasts |
Human Services Career Pathways
Casework
A career in casework involves connecting clients with the services they need to overcome hardships. Most entry-level casework careers do not require a state-issued license, making them accessible to recent online human services program graduates.
Top employers for new and experienced caseworkers include government agencies, mental health clinics, and substance use clinics. Consider starting your career in casework, as jobs can introduce you to other human services career pathways.
Child and Family Advocacy
Mental health counselors, healthcare social workers, and other human services professionals work in child and family advocacy. They specialize in children’s and families’ unique needs, such as problems affecting social and academic development.
The biggest employers for child and family advocates include private family services organizations, local and state government agencies, and hospitals.
Social Work
The social work field features many specialization options, such as education, mental health, and senior care. An online human services degree program along with supervised experience can qualify you for an initial license. Earning a master’s and fulfilling other state requirements can help you increase your salary potential and qualify for new positions.
What Can I Expect From a Human Services Degree Program?
Like other bachelor’s degree programs, online courses of study in human services take about four years for full-time degree-seekers to complete. Some online colleges offer accelerated options. Core coursework covers many broad areas, such as theoretical foundations, client populations, and cultural diversity.
Field experiences and research classes can prepare you for an entry-level career or graduate coursework. Online human services degree programs help you find field experiences in your community. You can work with professors and your college’s career advisors to tailor these experiences to your goals.
Online learning benefits many people, such as busy professionals and parents. Other advantages include the same career-planning resources on-campus students enjoy. Counselors can help you explore jobs in social work, health education, and related fields.
Human Services Degree Courses and Concentrations
Human services concentration options vary by school and program. By specializing in a specific area, you can better align your education with your career goals. Some typical concentrations include:
- Addiction Studies: Concentrating in addiction studies prepares you to help people with drug or alcohol addiction. Required classes may include treatment issues in addiction, the dynamics of substance use treatment, and character and conflict.
- Elementary Education: An elementary education concentration emphasizes human growth and developmental psychology fundamentals.
- Mental Health: Consider concentrating in mental health if you want to work as a family therapist or licensed clinical social worker.
In addition to courses specific to your concentration, human services programs require core classes that all degree-seekers must pass. These may include:
- Evaluation of Human Services Programs: Coursework covers the methods and techniques human services professionals use to determine whether programs meet their objectives.
- Program Design and Proposal Writing: This class trains you to design, staff, and budget for human services programs.
- Research and Data Management: This class emphasizes research and assessment skills.
How to Get a Human Services Degree
Compare program length and application requirements when researching online human services degree programs. Program websites and admissions advisors can help you find this information and explain what you can do with a human services bachelor’s degree.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Human Services Degree?
Full-time students take about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can graduate sooner by enrolling in an accelerated program or at a college offering a competency-based education. Institutions may also offer classes in the summer and winter terms.
Current high school students can reduce the time necessary to earn a degree by taking Advanced Placement classes or signing up for dual enrollment. Both options can help you earn college credit before graduating high school.
How to Apply For a Human Services Degree Program
Although admissions requirements vary by college, almost all schools require applicants to have a high school or GED diploma. Below are other common application requirements:
- Recommendation letters from high school teachers or work supervisors
- Admissions essays
- FAFSA results
- Undergraduate transcripts if you hold an associate degree or some college credit
- An interview with an admissions counselor or a professor
You can start the admissions process by creating an online account and uploading documents. Make sure to submit all materials by the application deadline. Some colleges feature rolling admissions, giving you greater flexibility when applying.
Fix any errors as soon as possible, as a delay may invalidate your application. College admissions advisors can answer your questions and help you avoid mistakes.
How Much Does a Human Services Degree Cost?
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that the typical off-campus degree-seeker attending a four-year in-state college paid an average of $15,200 during the 2022-2023 academic year. Students at private schools spent more than double this amount.
If you research your options, you may pay less for your education. For instance, the University of Arizona’s online human services program charges $460 per credit as of October 2024. This tuition rate saves learners over $1,000 per year compared to the national average, and most degree-seekers qualify for institutional aid.
Continuing Education in Human Services
What you can do with a human services bachelor’s degree depends on your professional goals. You may need a master’s degree, such as a master of social work, to qualify for positions in the social work field requiring licensure. Professional certifications, including board certification, can qualify you for more roles and help you keep up with the latest skills and best practices in your human services specialty.
While completing your bachelor’s degree program, research these and other options. Master’s programs may require applicants to possess a minimum undergraduate GPA and submit standardized test scores. Board certification involves passing one or more exams and gaining work experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Human Services Degrees
Yes, if you want to dedicate your career to helping people improve their lives and overcome problems. Keep in mind that some human services career paths, such as social work, can be stressful and challenging. Consider your personality and preferences before committing to the field.
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