Best Online Human Services Degree Programs of 2024
2024Do you want to help people with your degree? Then a human services major might be a good fit. During a human services degree, you’ll learn how to administer community services programs, counsel people facing addiction or behavioral issues, and connect families with services.
If that sounds like a good fit, check out our ranking of the best online human services degrees to find the best program for your educational goals.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Can I Do With a Human Services Degree?
While earning your online human services degree, you’ll learn how to support individuals and families as they navigate society. Your degree can lead to opportunities in social work, human services, counseling, criminal justice, and the nonprofit sector.
For example, many local and community services organizations employ human services majors to connect people with child and family services, elder assistance, and counseling services. With a degree in human services, you can also specialize in community outreach, health education, or mental health.
Where Can I Work With a Human Services Degree?
A human services degree prepares graduates for roles in the following fields:
Community Health
A background in human services leads to opportunities in community health and health education. You can work as a health education specialist or a healthcare human service assistant.Addictions and Behavioral Counseling
Demand for substance abuse counselors is high, and a bachelor’s in human services meets the educational requirement for entry-level roles. You can also work as a behavioral disorder counselor with this degree.Government and Justice System
Human services majors often work in public sector social and human services organizations. You can become a human service assistant, case worker, or correctional treatment specialist with a bachelor’s in human services.
How Much Can I Make With a Human Services Degree?
Human services majors report an average salary of $60,000 per year, according to Oct. 2023 data from Payscale. Your earning potential with a human services degree depends on several factors, including your career path, location, and industry.
Community and social service jobs reported a median wage of $52,000 in May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With experience or a graduate degree, these professions can lead to higher-paying roles. For example, community and social service managers earn a median annual salary of $77,030 (BLS, May 2023). Criminal justice roles such as parole officer or correctional treatment specialist report a median pay of $61,800 (BLS, May 2023).
Demand for community and social service professionals is high, with 299,400 job openings projected annually from 2023 to 2033, according to BLS projections.
What to Look for in an Online Human Services Program
You’re investing time and money in your degree. How can you find the best online human services program to reach your professional goals? Researching graduation requirements, learning formats, and specialization options can help you identify good matches.
Program Curriculum
In a human services program, you’ll likely take classes in case management, counseling principles, and human services administration. But the exact curriculum can vary greatly. If you’re interested in child and family services, make sure to find a program that offers courses or a concentration in that area.Accreditation
Accredited colleges meet high standards for academic quality. That’s one reason it’s critical to choose an accredited school for your online degree. Accreditation also means you’ll have more options when it comes to financial aid, job opportunities, and professional licensure. All the schools on our list are accredited.Program Length
Earning a bachelor’s in human services typically requires 120 credits of coursework, which full-time students complete in around four years. However, some programs offer part-time or accelerated enrollment options. If you have transfer credits, that can also affect program length.Internship Experiences
Some human services programs offer optional or required internships, where you’ll get hands-on experience. If you’d like to complete an internship, check with online programs about your options and whether they assist with internship placements.School Graduation Rate
Comparing graduation rates can help you identify programs where you’re more likely to succeed. A high graduation rate generally means a better choice to earn your degree. The average college graduation rate was 63% in 2022.Online Learning Format and Requirements
Each college offers online programs with different formats and requirements. Learn more about how you’ll attend class, what technologies you’ll use, and what support services the school offers for distance learners. That can help you find a good fit.
The Best Online Human Services Programs of 2024
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
Elizabethtown College
- Elizabethtown, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Mercer University
- Macon, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
LeTourneau University
- Longview, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Wingate University
- Wingate, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Rivier University
- Nashua, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Marian University
- Fond Du Lac, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Lesley University
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
What Can I Expect From an Online Human Services Program
During your online human services degree, you’ll take general education courses, human services classes, and electives. Plan to spend four years earning your degree if you’re a full-time student with no prior college credits.
As a human services major, you can choose a concentration or minor to focus your course of study. A concentration or minor in counseling, child and family services, or criminal justice can prepare you for a specific career path after graduation.
Your program may incorporate an internship or capstone course. An internship is a great way to gain real-world experience while in school. And a capstone can help you bring together the knowledge and skills you’ll build during your degree.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Human Services Degree?
Ready to apply to online human services programs? First, make sure you have the admission materials you’ll need to apply. Generally, that includes official transcripts, standardized test scores, and any other required materials. While each program sets its own requirements, you’ll typically see the following:
Admission Materials
Plan to submit an online application and official transcripts from high school and college, if you’ve taken any college courses. Some programs also ask for letters of recommendation and essays.
Education
You’ll need a high school diploma or the equivalent to apply to undergraduate programs. Colleges verify this by reviewing your official transcripts, GED record, or homeschooling records.
GPA
Most colleges set a minimum GPA for admissions, which is typically between a 2.0 and 3.0 GPA. If you don’t meet the minimum, you may still qualify for provisional admissions.
Entrance Exam
In the past, nearly every college required SAT or ACT scores. Today, many schools use test optional admissions. But make sure to carefully review the entrance exam requirements when deciding where to apply.
How Much Does a Human Services Degree Cost?
The total cost of a human services degree varies widely. You can expect to pay around $9,600 per year in tuition if you choose an in-state public school, or around $34,000 per year at a private college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. On top of that, you’ll need to factor in textbooks, fees, and other expenses.
Earning your human services degree online can save you money. The most affordable programs cost around $300 per credit. Distance learners can also save on transportation and living costs.
By choosing an accredited institution, you’ll also qualify for federal student aid and many scholarships and grants. For example, distance learners can use the Pell Grant to pay for their degree.
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree, 2021-2022
Public Institution
$9,596
Private Institution
$34,041
Everything Else You Need to Know About Human Services Programs
No, human services and HR are two different fields. Human services focuses on social and community services that support individuals and families, including mental health resources, addiction counseling, rehabilitation services, and housing support. HR stands for human resources, and this field manages the administrative tasks for organizations, including hiring, benefits, and compensation.
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