2023 Best Online Human Services Degrees
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Online bachelor's degrees in human services are intended for people who want to work in social services or community outreach. A typical program has courses on social policy, U.S. ethnic and cultural history, and economics, and instructors usually discuss the roles and ethical responsibilities of human service employees. Graduates of human services bachelor's degree programs might find jobs as health education specialists, fundraisers or fundraising managers, or social and community service managers at nonprofit organizations or government agencies. Human services degrees may feature a general curriculum or a choice of specialized concentrations, such as health education or child and family services.
You might also consider an online bachelor's degree in sociology or social work if you're interested in human services.
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Online Human Services Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In
Arizona State University
Annual Tuition: $19,398 - $29,428
4 Programs (view all)
Southern New Hampshire University Online
Annual Tuition: $9,600
3 Programs (view all)
Grand Canyon University
Annual Tuition: $17,800
7 Programs (view all)
2023 Best Online Human Services Degrees
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | $50,026 | ||
| SUNY Empire State College | 94 | $39,517 | |
| Granite State College | 92 | $38,811 | |
| Ottawa University Online | 86 | $36,858 | |
| Fisher College | 81 | $35,767 | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | 75 | $34,785 | |
| Central Michigan University | 75 | $34,757 | |
| Colorado State University Global | 69 | $33,791 | |
| Mercer University | 67 | $33,426 | |
| University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | 65 | $33,146 |
2023 Online Colleges Offering Bachelor's Degrees
Ranking Details
#1 Jacksonville State University
- Salary Score: 100
- Median Starting Salary: $50,026
- Locations: Jacksonville (AL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Jacksonville State University (JSU) is a public school featuring an online Bachelor of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences - Human Sciences degree with 121 required credit hours. This program may take full-time students at least four years to complete. The university has a 64% acceptance rate for bachelor's degree candidates, and 47% of its bachelor's degree students end up graduating with their degrees.
Online learners at JSU sign in to the Canvas digital learning platform to complete coursework. This program's faculty discuss sociology and psychology in a human services context, family dynamics, and the microeconomics of family groups. Some core classes include Introductory Nutrition, Child Growth and Development, and Social Cultural Aspects of Apparel.
#2 SUNY Empire State College
- Salary Score: 94
- Median Starting Salary: $39,517
- Locations: Saratoga Springs (NY)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
SUNY Empire State College (SUNYES), a public institution, features three options for human services undergraduates. The university's Health and Human Services department offers three customizable paths for students to earn a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in community and human services. SUNYES has an open admissions policy. Forty-seven percent of the school's bachelor's degree candidates eventually graduate.
SUNYES delivers online courses through the Brightspace learning management system (LMS). Community and human services students can customize their curriculum to a large extent as long as they cover the five foundations of human behavior, service delivery, skills and application, ethics, and diversity.
#3 Granite State College
- Salary Score: 92
- Median Starting Salary: $38,811
- Locations: Concord (NH)
- Accreditation: NECHE
The public Granite State College (GSC) provides a few program choices for undergraduates interested in human services. The Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree features a choice of eight concentrations. The customizable Bachelor of Science in Individualized Studies degree can include a concentration in health and human services. Finally, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program has an optional concentration in human services. Each degree requires 120 credit hours and might take four years to complete with a full-time schedule.
Granite State uses the Canvas LMS to host online courses. The curriculum differs among these three degrees, but they each require some of the same core classes. These include Human Services and the Helping Process and Case Management.
#4 Ottawa University Online
- Salary Score: 86
- Median Starting Salary: $36,858
- Locations: Ottawa (KS)
- Accreditation: HLC
Ottawa University Online is a private school affiliated with the Baptist Church. The university's Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Services degree has 46 required credit hours in the major on top of general education credits. This program might take four years to complete if students take a full-time course load. Ottawa has an open admissions policy and a 46% undergraduate graduation rate.
The university's online students complete coursework using the Blackboard platform. Faculty for this program discuss a full range of issues relating to social services, such as social welfare, substance use disorder, and ethnic relations. Required courses include Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Skills and Techniques in Human Services, and the capstone Seminar in Human Services.
#5 Fisher College
- Salary Score: 81
- Median Starting Salary: $35,767
- Locations: Boston (MA)
- Accreditation: NECHE
The private Fisher College offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree for 120 credit hours. Students might finish this degree program in three-and-a-half years if they take a full-time schedule of two courses per eight-week term. The college accepts 78% of candidates for its bachelor's programs, but only 27% of bachelor's learners finish their degrees.
Fisher uses the Blackboard LMS to host online courses. The human services curriculum covers the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the workforce, including psychology knowledge and soft skills in communication and empathy. Students are required to take courses that include Practice of Counseling and Interviewing, Ethical Issues, and Research Methods in Social Sciences.
Overview of a Human Services Degree
A human services degree is similar to a degree in social work, but there are some key differences. For instance, human services degrees don’t lead to licensure and often focus on preparing students for a wide range of careers.
The best online schools for human services provide students with an understanding of alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation services, family therapy, social work, and healthcare management. Online human services degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as certificates.
A bachelor’s degree in human services takes about four years to complete with a full-time schedule. Some programs may accept previous credits or an associate degree, which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your degree. Applicants to an online bachelor’s degree program will need a high school diploma or GED and transcripts from high school or previous college-level coursework. Some programs may require SAT or ACT scores.
Can You Get a Human Service Degree Online
Absolutely. There are many online human service degrees, and they provide the same courses as an in-person degree. Online degree programs are respected by employers and higher education institutions, especially in today’s technology-driven world.
Online Classes for Human Services
After graduating with a degree in human services, individuals work as counselors, healthcare administrators, family therapists, and more. So, courses in this major provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to have a successful career. Here are some examples of courses offered by human services degree programs:
Social Service Systems
This course gives students an understanding of the different US systems that provide social and human services. These may include charities, government organizations, and private institutions.
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Individuals looking to work in a human services job should understand human behavior and how they can best meet the needs of those they’re helping. This course examines different social environments and the ways people navigate them.
Child Welfare
Because human services graduates may work as school or family counselors, students learn about the laws and regulations in place to protect children. They may learn about domestic violence, social work, and how the foster system functions.
Public Policy
So much of human service work relies on government organizations and the regulations that non-profit and private organizations have to follow. It’s necessary for human service workers to know the laws they’re subject to and how to work with other agencies.
Crisis Intervention
Occasionally, it may be necessary for social services to act quickly and efficiently, so students learn the best methods of helping people in crisis situations. This course, and similar ones, prepares graduates to handle emergencies and de-escalate crisis situations.
Career Options for an Online Human Services Degree
The online human services bachelor’s curriculum provides a well-rounded introduction to the skills of the helping professions. Students learn the skills for effecting change at the individual, group, and community levels. Many programs also train students in the administrative aspects of human services organizations, such as fundraising and program development.
Many human services bachelor’s programs include the opportunity to specialize in a particular aspect of the helping professions, such as child and family services, substance abuse, emergency management, or health and human services management. Most programs require an internship or practicum in a local human services agency.
Social and Community Service Managers
Social and community service managers create and oversee administrative programs for their organizations. They maintain records and policies and work with others to ensure their communities receive the best possible care. Often, they develop policies themselves and decide on budget distribution.
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical and health services managers oversee medical, nursing, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel. They may work in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, and public health organizations to plan and coordinate care. Often, they are in charge of finances and research as well.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people with addictions, eating disorders, and mental health issues as they go through rehabilitation and modify their behaviors during recovery. They work with clients’ families to develop and maintain strategies that will help clients cope and recover. These counselors also conduct outreach programs to help other professionals and organizations identify and help people in need.
Social and Human Service Assistants
Social and human service assistants help other providers with the services they offer. These services cover psychology, rehabilitation, social work, and other community services. SHS Assistants may be in charge of finding and obtaining benefits from other organizations and developing programs to help their clients.
Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation counselors help individuals with birth defects, illnesses, physical traumas, and other health issues live independent lives and hold successful careers. They coordinate activities for care and treatment facilities, assess client needs, and maintain records. Often, they work with their clients on a long-term, ongoing basis.
Is a Human Services Online Degree Worth It?
Not every degree will fit every person, but if you’re interested in a social services career, then consider an online human services degree. Many jobs require a bachelor’s degree in human services, or a related field, so attending post-secondary school is a common starting point for professionals. Here are some benefits and drawbacks to a human service degree:
Potential Benefits
Faster-than-average job growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Community and Social Service Occupations are projected to grow 12% between 2020 and 2030. This is faster than the average for all occupations, and translates to nearly 350,000 jobs.
A great launching point
The field of human services is vast and has a large variety of job options. Graduates of a bachelor’s degree program can work as counselors, administrators, assistants, policy makers, and managers.
It feels good to help others
If you’re looking into a human service degree, you’re probably interested in helping those in need. It can feel good to help people and see them improve over time.
Potential Drawbacks
Low job satisfaction
While school counselors and career counselors have a higher satisfaction rate, health service managers and family service workers have a very low satisfaction rate. Career Explorer reports that health service managers rate their job satisfaction in the bottom 33% of all careers. Family social workers rate their job satisfaction in the bottom 17% of all careers.
Restrictive laws and regulations
Because human service workers work with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and people in need, there are a lot of regulations and limitations on the work. It’s common to run into barriers, such as funding or oversight, which make it harder for human service workers to do their jobs.
May require higher education
A bachelor’s in human services is a good starting point, but it doesn’t license graduates to work as social workers. Many counseling and healthcare management careers require master’s degrees or various certifications.
Bottom Line
Earning your degree in human services can lead to a successful career that helps others and changes society for the better. There are many facets of the degree, such as law, healthcare administration, human behavior, and counseling, but the extra work is worth it. If you’re interested in working closely with people in need and healthcare organizations, then pursuing an online degree in human services may be right for you.
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