Pursuing an online human services degree can open doors to a fulfilling career dedicated to helping individuals and communities in need. Human services professionals play a vital role in improving the quality of life for those facing challenges such as poverty, addiction, domestic violence, and mental health issues. With the flexibility of online learning, students can advance their education while balancing work and personal responsibilities.
What Is the Field of Human Services?
Human services is a broad, interdisciplinary field focused on meeting the needs of individuals, families, and communities. Professionals in this field work to improve the overall well-being of people by providing access to essential resources and services, including healthcare, housing, education, and mental health support. A career in human services involves helping vulnerable populations overcome challenges such as poverty, addiction, abuse, and mental health issues.
How Human Services Differs from Social Work
Although human services and social work share a common goal of helping individuals and communities, they differ in their approaches and areas of focus. Human services programs tend to prepare students for roles in managing, coordinating, and delivering a wide range of services through community organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits. Graduates often find themselves working as administrators, program directors, or policy advocates, overseeing services and programs that address societal needs.
On the other hand, social work typically emphasizes direct client interaction, case management, and advocacy. Social workers often engage with individuals and families on a more personal level, providing hands-on support, counseling, and intervention strategies. While social work is a more narrowly defined profession, human services is broader, encompassing multiple areas such as public health, counseling, and nonprofit management.
Human services professionals often work as liaisons between the individuals they serve and the larger social systems that can support them, such as healthcare, education, and welfare services. This makes the field distinct from other helping professions, offering a versatile career path that focuses on both individual assistance and community-level impact.
Highlighting Top Online Human Services Degree Programs
Choosing the right online human services degree program is crucial for building a solid foundation for your career. Some institutions offer online human services programs that provide flexibility for students juggling work, family, and other responsibilities.
Grace College and Theological Seminary
Grace College offers a 100% online Human Services degree designed to prepare students for impactful careers in the field. Taught from a biblical worldview, this 45-credit hour program helps students understand the relationship between behavior and relationships, equipping them to address personal issues affecting others’ well-being. Ideal for those seeking flexibility, the program is open to individuals with 75 accumulated credit hours, allowing up to 24 credits from experiential learning. Total program cost is $19,260, making it a valuable option for students wanting to make a difference in the human services field.
Regional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Ohio University
Bachelor of Applied Human and Consumer Sciences in Human Services
Ohio University’s online Bachelor of Applied Human and Consumer Sciences in Human Services is designed to equip students with essential skills for careers in public outreach and social services. Graduates are prepared to work with diverse populations, including the elderly, youth, and individuals in substance abuse or mental health centers, as well as in corrections facilities. This program offers flexible credit transfer options and partnerships with community colleges, making it ideal for students looking to build on previous coursework. Degree holders are also well-prepared for graduate programs in counseling, social work, and psychology.
Regional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Western Washington University
Western Washington University’s online Human Services degree program offers students the opportunity to build skills in social justice, advocacy, and ethical practice through a personalized, flexible learning experience. The program is delivered over five consecutive quarters and includes 75 upper-division credits, two supervised internships, and a curriculum grounded in real-world challenges and systems change theory. With a focus on community-based learning, students collaborate with local organizations for projects and internships. Designed to accommodate diverse schedules, this asynchronous program provides access to higher education across Washington State, including underserved areas. Students are encouraged to transfer up to 105 credits from a community college.
Regional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Antioch University
BA in Human Services Administration
Antioch University’s fully online Human Services Administration degree is designed for individuals seeking leadership roles in human services organizations. This degree equips students with essential leadership, analytical, and communication skills to understand the diverse functions within organizations, preparing them for supervisory or administrative positions. The program focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. With flexible scheduling and the ability to transfer previous credits, students can complete the degree in less than two years. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required, with at least 30 credits completed at Antioch.
Regional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Liberty University
Liberty University’s 100% online Bachelor of Science in Human Services program prepares students for entry-level positions in the helping professions, offering a mix of psychology, social work, and human services courses. This flexible, 8-week course format allows students to transfer up to 75% of degree credits, making it ideal for those with prior coursework. The program equips students with the skills needed for careers in case management, mental health support, and community outreach. Graduates are prepared to make a meaningful difference in their communities through compassionate and ethical service.
Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Accreditation for Online Human Services Degree Programs
Accreditation is a critical factor to consider when choosing an online human services degree program. It ensures that the program meets established standards of quality and rigor, which can impact everything from the transferability of credits to the recognition of your degree by employers and licensing boards. Attending an accredited program not only enhances your educational experience but also increases your job prospects in the competitive field of human services.
Importance of Accreditation
Accredited programs have undergone a thorough review process by independent accrediting bodies, ensuring that the curriculum, faculty, and resources meet high standards. For human services degrees, accreditation is often required for:
- Licensure and Certification: Some positions in human services may require graduates to hold a degree from an accredited institution to obtain licensure or certification.
- Financial Aid Eligibility: Accreditation is a requirement for students to qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants.
- Employer Recognition: Employers often prefer candidates with degrees from accredited programs, as it assures them that the candidate has received a quality education.
Key Accrediting Bodies
Several accrediting bodies oversee human services programs. It’s important to ensure that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Some of the key accrediting organizations for human services programs include:
- Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE): This body specifically accredits human services degree programs, ensuring that they meet standards for preparing students for careers in the field.
- Regional Accrediting Bodies: These include agencies such as the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which accredit institutions across various disciplines and regions in the United States.
Choosing an accredited online human services degree program ensures that you are investing in a high-quality education that will be recognized by employers and allow you to pursue professional credentials if needed.
Typical Curriculum in Human Services Programs
The curriculum in an online human services degree program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in various human services roles. These programs typically combine theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students to address the complex social, behavioral, and psychological issues that affect individuals and communities.
Core Courses in Human Services Programs
Students enrolled in an online human services degree program can expect to encounter a variety of core courses that cover essential topics related to human behavior, service delivery, and ethical practices. While specific courses vary by institution, many programs include the following core subjects:
- Introduction to Human Services: This foundational course provides an overview of the human services field, including its history, purpose, and the various roles and responsibilities of professionals in the industry.
- Ethics in Human Services: Students explore the ethical issues and challenges that arise in human services settings, learning how to apply ethical decision-making models and adhere to professional standards.
- Human Behavior and Social Systems: This course examines how individuals and groups function within larger social systems, such as families, communities, and organizations. It helps students understand how to address social issues by considering these larger contexts.
- Case Management: Students develop skills in assessing client needs, creating service plans, and coordinating care across multiple providers and organizations. Case management is a critical skill for human services professionals working in fields such as mental health, child welfare, and substance abuse.
- Crisis Intervention: This course teaches students how to respond to crises, including mental health emergencies, domestic violence, and natural disasters. Students learn strategies for de-escalating situations and providing immediate support to individuals in crisis.
Elective and Specialized Courses
In addition to core courses, many online human services degree programs offer electives or specialized courses that allow students to tailor their education to specific career interests. Some popular elective options include:
- Nonprofit Management: For students interested in leadership roles within nonprofit organizations, this course covers topics such as fundraising, grant writing, and volunteer management.
- Substance Abuse Counseling: This course prepares students to work with individuals struggling with addiction, providing them with the tools to develop treatment plans and offer support through recovery.
- Family and Child Services: Focusing on child welfare and family dynamics, this course explores strategies for supporting families in need and working with children in crisis.
Practical Experience
Many programs also require students to complete internships or practicum experiences, giving them hands-on experience in the field. These practical components help students apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings, often working in community agencies, healthcare organizations, or nonprofits. The internship requirement ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges they’ll face in their professional careers.
By offering a combination of core courses, electives, and practical experience, online human services degree programs provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities in the human services field.
Job Roles Available to Human Services Degree Program Graduates
Graduates of an online human services degree program are well-positioned to pursue a variety of fulfilling careers that focus on improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. The field of human services is broad, encompassing numerous job roles in areas such as counseling, program administration, social services, and community outreach. Below are some of the most common career paths for those with a human services degree.
Case Manager
Case managers play a critical role in coordinating care for individuals and families facing a range of challenges, including mental health issues, homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. They work with clients to assess their needs, develop care plans, and connect them with appropriate services, such as healthcare providers, housing agencies, or social service organizations. Case managers often work in settings such as hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies.
- Responsibilities:
- Assessing client needs and developing service plans
- Coordinating services and resources across various providers
- Monitoring client progress and adjusting care plans as necessary
Community Outreach Worker
Community outreach workers serve as a bridge between individuals in need and the services available to them within the community. They often focus on vulnerable populations, such as low-income families, at-risk youth, or individuals experiencing homelessness. Outreach workers help educate the community about available resources, provide referrals to services, and advocate for policy changes that benefit the populations they serve.
- Responsibilities:
- Connecting individuals and families with social services
- Educating the community about available resources
- Advocating for underserved populations and promoting policy change
Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselors work with individuals struggling with addiction, helping them overcome their substance use issues and rebuild their lives. These counselors provide support through individual or group therapy sessions, develop treatment plans, and monitor clients’ progress throughout the recovery process. Substance abuse counselors are often employed in rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and community organizations.
- Responsibilities:
- Conducting assessments to determine the level of addiction
- Developing individualized treatment plans
- Leading counseling sessions to help clients through recovery
Human Services Administrator
Human services administrators manage the day-to-day operations of social service agencies, nonprofits, or government programs. In this leadership role, administrators oversee budgets, develop programs, supervise staff, and ensure that services are delivered efficiently and effectively to those in need. Human services administrators are crucial to ensuring that organizations run smoothly and meet their mission goals.
- Responsibilities:
- Managing staff and overseeing program implementation
- Developing and monitoring budgets
- Ensuring compliance with regulations and organizational policies
Crisis Intervention Specialist
Crisis intervention specialists provide immediate support to individuals experiencing acute crises, such as mental health emergencies, domestic violence situations, or natural disasters. These professionals work to de-escalate situations, assess the individual’s needs, and connect them with appropriate services to ensure their safety and stability. Crisis intervention specialists typically work in hospitals, shelters, or community service agencies.
- Responsibilities:
- Responding to emergency situations and providing immediate support
- Assessing needs and coordinating crisis intervention services
- Developing safety plans and connecting clients with ongoing care
Nonprofit Program Coordinator
Nonprofit program coordinators oversee specific programs within a nonprofit organization, such as community outreach, educational initiatives, or health services. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs to ensure they meet the needs of the community and align with the organization’s mission. Program coordinators often handle administrative tasks such as fundraising, volunteer coordination, and program promotion.
- Responsibilities:
- Designing and managing nonprofit programs
- Coordinating with volunteers, staff, and community partners
- Evaluating program outcomes and making improvements as needed
Behavioral Health Specialist
Behavioral health specialists work with individuals experiencing mental health issues, emotional challenges, or behavioral disorders. They provide therapeutic support, develop treatment plans, and work with other professionals to coordinate care. Behavioral health specialists often work in healthcare settings, schools, or community mental health centers.
- Responsibilities:
- Assessing behavioral health needs and developing treatment plans
- Providing individual or group counseling sessions
- Coordinating care with other healthcare providers and social services
These job roles represent just a few of the many career paths available to human services graduates. With a human services degree, you can make a real difference in your community, whether you’re providing direct support to individuals in need or overseeing programs that serve a broader population.
Job Outlook and Salary for Human Services Degree Graduates
The job outlook for human services degree graduates is promising, with growing demand for professionals who can provide critical support to individuals, families, and communities. Whether working in counseling, program administration, or community outreach, human services professionals are essential in addressing pressing social issues such as mental health, substance abuse, poverty, and homelessness. Below is a detailed look at the job outlook and salary expectations for those entering the field.
Job Outlook for Human Services Professionals
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for social and human services professionals is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, reflecting an increasing need for services that address social welfare, mental health, and addiction recovery. The BLS projects a 8% growth rate for social and community service managers from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by several factors, including:
- Increased Demand for Mental Health Services: The growing recognition of mental health issues and the need for accessible services is driving demand for counselors, case managers, and other human services professionals.
- Aging Population: The rising number of older adults will require more social services and care coordination, increasing the need for professionals in healthcare and community-based services.
- Expansion of Substance Abuse Programs: As awareness and treatment options for substance abuse and addiction continue to expand, there will be greater demand for professionals trained to provide support and counseling to those in recovery.
Salary Information for Human Services Graduates (2023)
Salaries for human services professionals can vary depending on the specific role, location, and level of experience. Social and community service managers earned a median annual salary of $77,030 in May 2023. The top 10% of earners in this field made over $125,000 per year, reflecting higher earnings for those in leadership positions or working for larger organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Can I Do with an Online Human Services Degree?
An online human services degree opens the door to a wide range of careers focused on helping individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being. Graduates can work in various roles, including case management, substance abuse counseling, community outreach, nonprofit administration, and mental health services. Job opportunities are available in diverse settings such as healthcare facilities, government agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online Human Services Degree?
The duration of an online human services degree program depends on the degree level and the pace of study. A bachelor’s degree typically takes around four years to complete for full-time students. For those pursuing a master’s degree, the program may take two to three years, depending on the school and program format. Many online programs offer flexible scheduling options, allowing students to complete their degree part-time while balancing work and other responsibilities.
How Does Human Services Differ from Social Work?
While both human services and social work involve helping people in need, they differ in scope and focus. Human services is a broader field that includes managing and coordinating services across various sectors such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. Social work, on the other hand, is more client-focused, with an emphasis on providing direct services and advocacy to individuals and families. Human services professionals often work at the organizational or community level, whereas social workers typically engage with clients on a one-on-one basis.
Is Accreditation Important for Human Services Degree Programs?
Yes, accreditation is crucial when selecting an online human services degree program. Attending an accredited program ensures that the education you receive meets high standards of quality and is recognized by employers, licensing boards, and graduate schools. Accreditation also impacts eligibility for financial aid and scholarships. Look for programs accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) or recognized regional accrediting bodies to ensure the program meets rigorous educational standards.
What Are the Specializations Available in Human Services Programs?
Many online human services degree programs offer specializations that allow students to tailor their education to their career interests. Common specializations include:
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Family and Child Services
- Nonprofit Management
- Mental Health Services
- Gerontology These specializations equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for specific roles in the human services field.
Moving Forward with an Online Human Services Degree
Pursuing an online human services degree can be a life-changing step toward a rewarding career dedicated to helping others. Whether you’re interested in case management, nonprofit leadership, or counseling, the flexibility of online programs allows you to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
As you explore your options, it’s important to consider factors like program accreditation, curriculum offerings, and potential career paths. With a promising job outlook and the ability to make a meaningful impact in your community, an online human services degree offers both personal and professional fulfillment.
Now is the perfect time to take the next step toward a career in human services, where you can turn your passion for helping others into a successful and impactful profession.
