Human Services Degrees Online
Human services professionals help people overcome life's struggles. Learners can pursue human services degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Graduates with a degree in human services may work as social workers, probation officers, or life coaches.
Government organizations and nonprofits often hire human services workers. Empathetic individuals with a passion for helping others often thrive in this industry. Human services professionals need strong listening skills. They should also understand laws that impact society members.
This page highlights the most affordable online human services degrees, including costs and common courses.View Our Rankings List Here
Frequently Asked Questions About Human Services
What can I do with a degree in human services?
Graduates can pursue many human services careers. They may work as social workers, case managers, or community outreach workers. Some schools offer concentrations that prepare students to work with clients in specific industries.
What degree do you need for a career in human services?
Aspiring human services professionals need a degree in a subject like criminal justice or social work. Similar careers, such as counseling, require additional licensure.
What's the difference between human services and social services?
Social work careers fall under the human services umbrella. Social workers help clients access human services like housing or counseling.
Featured Online Human Services Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Why Get a Degree in Human Services?
This versatile degree prepares learners for diverse roles. Some human services careers pay above-average salaries. For example, probation officers earn a median annual salary of $55,690, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social workers earn $51,760. These figures exceed the median annual salary of $41,950 for all occupations.
How Much Does a Human Services Degree Cost?
The cost of a human services degree varies by school and degree level. Earning an associate degree typically costs less than earning a bachelor's. As of August 2021, the average cost of in-state tuition is $9,580 for bachelor's degree-seekers. Out-of-state students spend an average of $27,440. Full-time enrollees can complete an associate degree in two years and a bachelor's in four years.
Schools that offer online human services degrees may charge more fees for labs and activities. On-campus students pay a campus maintenance fee.
Additional Online Student Fees
Online learners can save money by not living on campus or commuting for classes. Some schools charge online learners in-state tuition, regardless of where they live. Online students can attend the most affordable human services programs without relocating.
However, online enrollees should plan for extra fees. Some online human services programs require on-campus experiences. Learners who do not live locally should budget for travel and lodging expenses. In addition, schools may charge online learners a fee to access an online classroom platform. Online learners may need to pay a graduation fee.
How Much Do Human Services Majors Make?
Human services salaries vary depending on professionals' employer, experience, and job title. Social workers earn an average annual salary of $49,260, according to November 2021 PayScale salary data. Social workers with less than one year of experience earn an average of $42,810. Those with more than 20 years of experience earn an average of $58,500.
Similarly, probation officers earn an average of $44,350 annually, according to October 2021 PayScale data. Probation officers with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $38,790. Those with more than 20 years of experience earn an average of $60,200.
Courses in Human Services
Online human services programs help learners hone their note-taking and observation skills. Enrollees study the factors that influence people's decision-making processes. They also learn how to connect people with community resources effectively.
Human services degree-seekers participate in classroom discussions and write essays. Some programs include a clinical rotation or internship. Enrollees can sometimes choose a concentration, such as criminal justice or counseling.
See below for common human services courses. Keep in mind that course titles and descriptions vary by school.
Interpersonal Communication in the Human Services Field
Learners discover the importance of active listening. They identify verbal and nonverbal communication cues. Students also discuss common communication theories and case studies. Part of this course examines how mental health conditions impact people's communication style.Strategic Actions in Human Services
This class explains how human services professionals can help with rehabilitation. Learners discover common community outreach organizations and case management techniques. Enrollees learn how to make ethical decisions on clients' behalf. The course teaches students how to create a plan to enhance someone's quality of life.Psychology and Human Development
This class examines how psychology and human development influence a person's choices. Learners discover how to use this information to empower clients to make positive decisions. The course discusses brain development from infancy to adulthood. Learners study common psychiatric disorders.
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