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Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, they can be anyone who wishes to help. In these modern troubled times, the world needs problem solvers and service-oriented individuals who make careers out of crafting solutions and helping others.
If you seek a helping profession, an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services could be right up your alley.
Human Services professionals focus on helping and supporting those in need. The sector is expanding, as the Labor Statistics anticipates the need for social and human service assistants to rise by 8%—or about 48,400 job openings—over the next decade in child and family services facilities such as mental health centers.
Human Services students often work with people and their families and communities to support growth, development, and well-being.
The Lowdown
By choosing an online bachelor’s degree, Human Services majors can gain specialized skills that can help them make a positive difference in the world in their human services careers.
Social workers, human service workers, behavioral therapists, mental health counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, and client advocates often work with vulnerable populations as Human Service professionals.
Methodology
Get yourself equipped with the basics of Human Services! Check out the best online bachelor’s in Human Services programs on our list, each of which meets these academic criteria.
- Offered as a fully web-based or blended undergraduate Human Services degree program for convenient distance learning,
- Features online coursework covering behavioral and social theories, child welfare, human services policies, human service education, human service leadership, and human services management,
- Delivers the curricula as prepared, designed, and taught by experts in the Human Services field,
- Designed to prepare graduates for advanced education, such as a master’s degree in Human Services or a related field,
- Promotes active participation in charities, outreaches, and other community involvements by exposing learners to diverse settings relevant to the Human Services profession,
- Emphasizes the soft skills required in Human Services work,
- Provides diverse federal aid and financial assistance options for online students, including student loans and scholarships,
- Accredited by the Department of Education and other relevant accrediting agencies.
Learn about our ranking process! Read our Methodology.
10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Services
Antioch University
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in (Online) Human Services Administration
Antioch University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Administration degree helps students confidently advance to supervisory or administrative positions. They learn the essential functions within an organization, developing their leadership, analytical, and communication skills to enhance the quality of life of people, families, and entire communities.
This online degree is transfer-friendly, so you can expedite completion and seek employment right after. It utilizes a robust online learning platform and high-technology learning systems made convenient for online and diverse types of learners.
Antioch is committed to assisting those who are enthusiastic about bringing about change and bettering lives in securing the employment they desire, supported by a top-notch education.
A hundred and twenty total credits are required upon completion of this Human Services program. You can complete this degree in fewer than two years if you transfer credits from previous undergraduate coursework.
What’s Unique About this Program:
Antioch’s Human Services Administration degree will give you professional path flexibility. These abilities can be used in a variety of fields, including customer service, human resources, healthcare administration, social work, and more.
Did You Know?
Obtaining a BA in Human Services Administration paves the way for graduate studies in Social Service Administration, Public Administration, Educational Administration, and Human Resources Administration.
Colorado State University Global Campus
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
It is essential that professionals in human services assist vulnerable and fragile groups in order to create a flourishing society.
With this goal in mind, Colorado State University has designed its online Bachelor’s in Human Services degree in the best way to produce the best human services professionals. It’s a great choice if you want to help other people and care about them.
With this degree, you can start a satisfying career working with people. This online degree is flexible, and you can have the liberty to craft your curriculum with the help of an advisor.
The 120 total credits needed to get the Human Services degree online at CSU Global are made up of a mixture of core courses, general education requirements, and elective courses. They offer specializations and certificates so you can graduate career-ready.
What’s Unique About this Program:
- Regardless of domicile, the cost of tuition is the same for all online students.
- Scholarships from CSU-Global are given to students with outstanding undergraduate GPAs.
- The university offers 50-minute career coaching sessions and resume reviews to assist students in achieving career success.
Did You Know?
You can serve individuals in a variety of vulnerable populations, including children, those with mental health issues, the homeless, those with disabilities, and elders who require care, among others, by completing CSU Global’s online Human Services degree program.
Their professionally and nationally renowned Human Services curriculum equips you with the abilities, information, and practical experience required to excel in the workplace and develop your career.
Fisher College
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Fisher College promotes its online Bachelor of Science in Human Services program. This online degree teaches students to assess individual and familial social and developmental needs, especially those who are considered at risk or otherwise need help.
Students will be trained to help provide the services required to address those needs.
Expect to discuss the goals, history, strategies, and contributions of the human services professions, as well as the structure and operation of the public and private organizations that make up the domestic social welfare system.
Professors will also tackle the best practices to provide the best human services to all age groups and demographics.
What’s Unique About this Program:
In a variety of public and private organizations and locations, the curriculum prepares students for entry-level employment and future career growth in the human services sector. Upon completion of this program, you’ll be equipped with these:
- The skills to assess needs, implement social interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
- Promote self-sufficiency among those they assist by employing techniques that encourage them to become independent.
- Analyze what kinds of improvements would best facilitate human potential development in the external environment and through human services.
- Better understand and tell what human services needs are matched per community, family, or individual.
Did You Know?
Transfer credit may result in a shorter course completion time or a longer course completion time if enrollment in the courses changes.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh comes with an online Bachelor’s in Human Services Leadership program in their list of programs available. This online degree places an emphasis on transferable skills, which can be useful when you go into human services after graduation.
Students typically use the Canvas learning management system for online students to complete their assignments.
Expect to take courses such as:
- Financial Sustainability
- Globalization in Human Services
- Social Issues and Solutions
Two internships are required for students pursuing this online human services degree. All UWO courses are entirely online and are delivered in accelerated, seven-week semesters. Students can begin at the beginning of any seven-week session because they offer rolling admission.
What’s Unique About this Program:
- Assignment deadlines are set, but students complete them at their own pace and based on their schedules. No live classes or set meeting times are involved, giving learners more flexibility and convenience.
- UWO’s stackable courses enable students to finish their degrees quickly. You will study fewer courses in a shorter amount of time because of the accelerated format.
Did You Know?
- Graduate job placement at UW Oshkosh is 4% greater than the national average. The university provides students with résumé creation assistance, advice on salary negotiations, and skill self-evaluations in order to become adept in the human services industry.
- The cost of tuition per credit is the same for all online students. Payment plans, private scholarships, and federal grants are examples of financial help alternatives.
Western Washington University
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
An undergraduate degree in Human Services is the ideal path for those who advocate for and enhance the lives of individuals, families, and entire populations. Having said that, your first step should be to enroll in Bachelor’s in Human Services program offered at Western Washington University.
Graduates of Western’s Bachelor’s in Human Services program can find employment as nonprofit executives and mental health specialists. You can choose as many electives as you want in this online degree.
Students from all backgrounds who have a strong commitment to social and economic justice make up this degree. The unique major in human services blends academic studies with paid internships. The two obligatory internship quarters are important components of the curriculum and are required before graduation.
What’s Unique About this Program:
Distance learners can participate in online workshops, have their resumes checked, and receive counseling services from Western University’s career center. Six months after completing their degree, 89% of graduates are employed or entering graduate school.
Merit-based scholarships are available from the institution to in-state, out-of-state, and transfer students.
Did You Know?
You can study Human Services online at your own pace with Western’s online degree program. Through connections with other community colleges, Western Washington University students can access education beyond the Bellingham campus.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
An online BS in Community Health and Human Services: Human Services is available at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This program prepares students for careers that support and enhance health services for vulnerable populations. By studying human services, students are prepared to advance and enhance the delivery of health care to a variety of populations.
Some of the courses offered are the following:
- Case management
- Ethics in the helping professions
- Human development and behavior
- Social welfare and public policy
- Interviewing and intervention
They frequently incorporate service-learning projects into their courses. In turn, this exposes students to a variety of community demographics with which they may later interact. They can consult with an academic advisor for guidance in curriculum planning.
What’s Unique About this Program:
Those who have obtained a Bachelor of Science with a focus on human services can be capable of the following skills:
- Assist in preventing and addressing a variety of issues among different service populations,
- Make human services more accessible and trustworthy,
- Improves human service delivery and processes,
- Collaborates with agencies and other professionals,
- Create and promote human services treatment programs,
- Evaluate which human services are effective.
Did You Know?
An internship is a requirement for students pursuing a focus in human services, and it is often finished in the second half of the senior year. To make all necessary arrangements, students must get in touch with the internship coordinator during the semester before their planned internship start date.
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Human Services
The online BA in Human Services program offered by Southern New Hampshire University focuses on developing students’ advocacy skills while helping populations in need. An intersection of compassion and law, this program produces experts in helping people, families, and populations benefit from an improved quality of life.
Human service practitioners with years of experience are the instructors for your online degree programs in human services. You’ll get training to do the following:
- Conduct neighborhood assessments
- Interview those who need assistance and human services
- Assess local resources for people
- Communicate and collaborate with the entire human services team
Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in the human services field.
What’s Unique About this Program:
SNHU is committed to keeping its tuition costs affordable as part of its objective to increase access to higher education. They turn out to have some of the most affordable online tuition in the country. You may also be able to save time and money by using prior coursework.
College credit for prior work experience, military discounts, and tuition assistance provided by your employer may all allow you to save money and time.
Did You Know?
Graduates of the BA in Human Services program should anticipate the rising demand for their expertise, considering the aging population suffering from health issues. Governmental or nonprofit institutions provide the majority of human services.
Human services professionals may work in institutions, residential settings, or communities.
Rasmussen College
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Rasmussen College’s Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services can be finished in as little as 18 months. Their Human Services program is ready for you if you’ve always had a desire to serve people and a passion for doing so.
With previously completed coursework, a Human Services Associate’s degree, or another validated Associate’s degree, you can accelerate your studies and go into the industry as soon as possible.
You gain the advanced communication and human services skills you need to have a positive impact on people through online classes in human services taught by educators with real-world professional experience.
Graduates of this Human Services degree are not academically eligible for any state professional licenses because it is intended for non-licensed positions. Also, note that this online degree is not aimed at people who want to work as licensed social workers.
What’s Unique About this Program:
Graduates feel prepared to contribute to human and social services across diverse settings. In this online degree, they will understand further how issues such as assault, drugs, stresses, and losses would affect people’s lives, as well as the key people handling such cases.
Did You Know?
A service-based career is waiting for you after earning your online degree in human services. Rest assured, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, self-assurance, and transferrable skills that are in demand by most employers today.
Old Dominion University
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Old Dominion University offers the web-based BS in Human Services degree program online. A substance abuse and alcohol counseling program within their human services department is recognized as a provider of addiction education accredited by the Virginia Certification Board.
You can qualify to take the exam, pass it, and acquire a license after graduation. In this online degree, you’ll receive a bachelor’s degree and gain experience writing legal case notes and justifications for service billing.
Through a partnership with the Virginia Community College System, OId Dominion University aims to make a smooth transfer and transition for students with backgrounds in other education. Old Dominion University and select colleges have a Guaranteed Admissions Agreement that simplifies the transfer process for everyone.
What’s Unique About this Program:
- A combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats is expected in this human services degree. It is possible for instructors to schedule assignments and tests for certain periods of time. Practicums or internships are required, and there are schedules for coursework.
- Many of your human services classes will teach you how to write professionally. This is meant to get you ready for the documentation standards in the human services industry.
Did You Know?
To practice as a substance abuse counselor, you must hold a license or certification, and this online human services degree is a solid step toward it. National certification is accepted in some states through reciprocal agreements, but state licensing is required in others.
LeTourneau University
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
LeTourneau University’s Bachelor in Human Services program is grounded in the peace-oriented perspective of criminal justice. After all, careers in human services emphasize community wholeness.
Many people and families are frequently experiencing difficult circumstances in their lives, and human services majors help them deal with them. In one-on-one, relational encounters with people at risk, graduates will help them thrive in their communities through the support they need to thrive.
There are 120 total credits required in this program. The responsibility for choosing upper-level courses lies with the students. With a degree in human services from LeTourneau University, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your Christian faith to help people overcome obstacles to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
What’s Unique About this Program:
All of these courses place combined emphasis on Christian faith and human services:
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Sociology
- Ethics
- Counseling
These courses provide students with the competencies to assist people regularly and successfully.
Did You Know?
LeTourneau University comes with an accelerated class model in which you may complete each course in just five weeks. As part of this program, you will be able to attend lectures and complete homework at your own pace via an engaging online environment.
Primary Courses to Take in Online Bachelor’s in Human Services
Human Development
A study of human development examines the developmental process throughout a person’s lifetime. Humans develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively within everyday contexts, families, and communities in this major.
The majority of courses have a strong emphasis on the connection between human development, human services, and public policy in order to teach students how to design successful programs. Expect to have lots of hands-on practice in this course.
Case Management
During this course, students are provided with an overview of human services cases, as well as their concepts, issues, and required procedures. Critical preventative and intervention techniques are also taught to students. Students gain essential skills in organization, project management, communication, and assisting others.
Public Policy and Advocacy
This course exposes students to fundamental human services laws. Students explore how public, private, and nonprofit organizations develop policies. Advocacy plays a significant role in the creation of social welfare programs and laws.
Introduction to Human Services
In this course, students are introduced to a variety of important human services concepts. Historical studies of human services are frequently discussed and taught by professors to students in order to create a foundation for human services.
This industry has a variety of contexts, positions, and duties, and students gain knowledge of those.
Research and Data Analysis
Human services also require data and research. With a focus on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the purpose of this course is to assist students in developing strong research skills.
Students learn to draw information from databases, books, and scholarly journals when analyzing and changing human services policies. Students also study statistics, research design, analysis methods, and data evaluation during their degree program.
Tips to Prepare for a Career in Human Services
You can enjoy a rewarding career in Social Work with high pay. After graduation, you can pursue careers in human services.
One of the more popular career choices in social work is helping individuals with social services or working as a human services professional. You can launch your career successfully as a human services professional by doing the following steps:
Acquire an online bachelor’s degree.
The very first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree from a recognized and accredited institution or university. A minimum of an associate degree is typically required by employers of human service experts, but some individuals may be able to secure entry-level work with only a high school diploma.
A bachelor’s degree provides four years of specialized training and education for those interested in working in the human services field. This is enough to set yourself higher than most applicants in the human services field.
Get licensed or certified.
Obtain your human services specialist license. It is common for social workers and human services professionals to hold a variety of certifications and licenses depending on their state of residence, but all states require them to hold some form of certification before entering the workforce.
You can gain a license in this field by visiting your state’s licensing office and passing an exam on human services ideas that may arise at work.
Join networks and trade associations.
Consider joining a group that represents professionals in human services. Joining professional groups is not required, but they can enhance a job application as it sets apart dedicated applicants. You can also use your network and connections to seek jobs.
Some professional associations for human services specialists sometimes bring together various social work professionals.
Grow your professional experience.
By acquiring some professional experience, you can advance your knowledge and abilities. This tip is a given, but you may wonder how many years of work experience would suffice to become competitive in human services.
Human service specialists often perform several crucial tasks, so having some experience in the field can prepare you to interact with clients and assist them in whatever way they require.
Check job opportunities.
Look for positions that interest you as a human services specialist and apply. Human services professionals can find employment in places like social work offices, schools, care homes, and rehabilitation institutions.
Professional associations may help you obtain career referrals and assistance if you join one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a degree in Human Services?
A human services degree covers a wide range of topics and is dedicated to assisting those who are struggling. It is an interdisciplinary degree program that provides students with an understanding of social structures and how they function within and respond to them.
This is the best degree to prepare professionals in the area of mental health and well-being to assist individuals and communities.
Is a degree in Human Services valuable?
A degree in human services is a worthwhile investment for many students. As mentioned, there will be an estimated 9% job growth for social and human service assistants in ten years’ time. And the median wage for these positions is $41,410.
If you want to make a difference in the world, a human services degree could be your first step toward a rewarding and long-lasting career that helps others.
What can graduates expect with an online Bachelor’s degree in Human Services in their belt?
A human services bachelor’s degree may open up a variety of career options. A social worker, a health educator, a counselor, a probation officer, and an emergency management specialist are some of the positions to consider after graduation.
There are many career opportunities in this industry that offer opportunities to change the world by helping others.
How long does a Human Services Bachelor’s degree take to complete?
Human services bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to complete. There are diverse courses and topics that you can learn about in school, such as human behavior, societal issues, diversity, and ethics.
A bachelor’s degree in human services typically includes fieldwork opportunities and internships. They are commonly part of the bachelor’s degree, and they can lengthen your time for completion, depending on how long these programs would take.
Summary Points
- A Human Services occupation can be physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing! An online Bachelor’s in Human Services prepares you for these challenges.
- Students with an online bachelor’s degree in human services can work as outreach directors, nonprofit administrators, mental health professionals, public health educators, social workers, child advocates, community organizers, and probation officers. Although it covers a wide spectrum of topics, its fundamental purpose is to assist individuals in need.
- Graduates qualify for Human Services occupations that deal with unique groups like the elderly, homeless, domestic violence victims, mentally ill, and individuals suffering from substance abuse
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