Most Affordable Online Human Services Degrees

Overview

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is located the Indiana town of the same name. It is a Roman Catholic school known for its pre-professional programs. SMWC is a small college with around 1,700 students.

Features

The online human services degree from SMWC trains you to work in a variety of settings with a variety of demographics. You will learn how to work well with individuals, families, groups, and communities. And you’ll graduate fully able to assess needs and solutions to client problems. Some of the courses you’ll take at SMWC include:

• Not-for Profit Administration
• Ethical and Legal Issues in the Helping Professions
• Human Services Techniques: Casework Methods
• Techniques of Counseling

Notables

SMWC has several highly regarded programs, but perhaps most notable are its Equine studies programs. The College has also initiated an Aspire Higher campaign, which seeks to promote student experience and opportunities across campus.

Overview

LeTourneau University is located in Longview, Texas. It is a private, interdenominational Christian school with over 3,000 students. LeTourneau specializes in education in engineering, business, education, aeronautical science, and human services.

Features

Whether you want to be a caseworker or a grant writer, the online Bachelor of Human Services degree from LeTourneau will help you get there. The curriculum integrates psychology, sociology, criminal justice, and counseling with Christian theology. Some of the classes you’ll take, for example, include:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Theories and Techniques of Counseling
• Criminal Law
• Addiction Theory

Notables

LeTourneau is highly ranked in numerous categories. It is among the top 25 best schools in its region. It is ranked 15th for being one of the best colleges for veterans and active military. And it is ranked 11th for affordability.

Overview

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is located in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. It is a small private, Christian university with around 2,000 students. SAGU offers degrees at all levels, from associates to doctorates, in the liberal arts and theology.

Features

SAGU’s online Bachelor’s in Human Services degree brings together the fundamentals of social work, criminal justice, and psychology. But you’ll also take classes in biblical studies and theology. This is therefore a broad-based degree that allows you to specialize in a range of areas. Graduates from SAGU’s program have found work as:

• Grant writers
• Counselors
• Non-profit Administrators
• Caseworkers
• And more

Notables

Southwestern Assemblies of God University is regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Like some of the other faith-based schools on our list, SAGU takes seriously a biblical approach to academia. Curriculums are fully integrated with theology and church history.

Overview

Located in Springfield, Missouri, Drury University is a private liberal arts college. It’s a small school with under 2,000 students and approximately 55 academic programs. Drury is organized into three schools, in business administration, architecture, and education and child development.

Features

The BS in Human Services program at Drury gives students the unique opportunity to specialize in leadership. While exploring psychological and sociological aspects of health you will also work on professional formation and leadership development. The Drury curriculum includes such classes as:

• Lifespan Development
• Sociology of the Family
• Positive Psychology
• Human Sexuality

Notables

Drury has been designated one of the nation’s “Great Schools at Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report. It is also regionally ranked and considered one of the “greenest” universities in the U.S. Time Magazine even called Drury one of the “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Nation.”

Overview

Western Washington University (WWU) is located in Bellingham, Washington, outside of Seattle. Over 15,000 combined undergraduate and graduate student attend WWU, enrolled in one of the University’s eight colleges.

Features

WWU offers a BA in Human Services degree that can be completed fully online (as well as in the classroom). This is an exhaustive program that allows students to study everything from domestic violence to homelessness. Indeed, graduates have gone on to work in a diverse range of settings such as:

• Veteran Services
• International Relief
• Corrections & Law Enforcement
• Community Development and Organizing

Notables

Western Washington University has been named the top public university in the Pacific Northwest. Distinctively, it is also known for being one of the best schools that serve Peace Corps volunteers.

Overview

Shorter University is a private liberal arts school located in Rome, Georgia. It is Christian-based and affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention. Shorter is organized into seven colleges, includings its adult education and online programs.

Features

Shorter offers an interdisciplinary BS in Human Services degree that introduces students to social work fundamentals, counseling techniques, and the psychological components to service. As a Shorter student you will come to understand the full spectrum of human development. The Shorter curriculum also integrates:

• Global and multicultural perspectives
• A 16-week internship
• Ethical case studies
• And much more

Notables

Shorter is ranked among the top 50 best colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its academic achievements, Shorter has earned a reputation for its service to veterans. U.S. News ranks it 12th among all colleges in the nation for its care of student vets.

Overview

Located in Minot, North Dakota, Minot State University (MSU) is home to 3,400 students. MSU was originally founded as a teacher’s education school though today it offers more than 70 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Features

MSU’s program is ideal for those who want to study both human services and special education. This unique BS in Human Services degree focuses on intellectual and developmental disabilities while preparing you for a range of career opportunities. You will therefore graduate ready for a career in everything from special ed to community support services. Classes include:

• Introduction to Positive Behavior Supports
• Dual Diagnosis: ID and Mental Health Disorders
• Aging and IDD
• Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Notables

Minot State University is regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. It’s also made several of PayScale’s rankings on affordability and college salaries. MSU’s alumni is comprised of famous physicists, Emmy winners, state Senators and legislators, and much more.

Overview

The Augusta campus in the wider University of Maine system (UMA) specializes in flexible and innovative education through its online and returning learners programs. UMA is located in the state capital and has approximately 6,000 students. Nearly 50 programs are offered through UMA’s two colleges.

Features

UMA’s bachelor’s in Mental Health and Human Services program trains students for an array of social service settings and demographics. So whether you want to work with young children, teens, adults, or the elderly, UMA’s program can be fitted to your specific career goals. There are even three ways to specialize, in:

• Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation
• Addiction Counseling
• Child and Family Services

Notables

The University of Maine in Augusta is ranked among the top 50 regional colleges in the north by U.S. News & World Report. Likewise, its online undergraduate degrees are also well ranked, specifically those in the areas of information, human services, and library science.

Overview

The University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to approximately 14,000 students. It is one of the state’s largest universities. Originally founded as a teacher’s school, today UW Oshkosh offers dozens of academic programs.

Features

UW Oshkosh offers an online degree in Human Services Leadership that is multidisciplinary and hands-on. While in this program you will gain the crucial interpersonal skills needed for social work. You will also discern the legal and ethical aspects of human services while honing your grant writing and intervention skills. Some of the classes you’ll take include:

• Human Behavior and Strategies for Intervention
• Globalization in Human Services
• Social Issues and Solutions
• Program Evaluation and Grant Writing

Notables

UW Oshkosh is known for its commitment to sustainability. In fact, it is Wisconsin’s second largest purchaser of renewable energy. And it is ranked among the top 25 best universities in the nation for its renewable energy usage.

Overview

Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas. It has around 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Among its many degree offerings, Washburn provides professional and technical training in a range of areas, including law and business.

Features

The human services degree at Washburn was specifically designed for those who want understand the fundamental values of community development. Meaning, at Washburn you will learn how to promote social justice, diversity, and integrative wellness regardless of what career you go into. Indeed, Washburn graduates have ended up in a range of settings and roles, as:

• Addiction Counselors
• Foster Care and Adoption Coordinators
• Case Managers
• Community Support Workers
• And much more

Notables

Washburn is ranked among the top 100 best universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, it is one of the nation’s 25 best public schools. Several of Washburn’s individual programs and departments are equally ranked and recognized.

Overview

Troy University is located in the Alabamian town of the same name. It was founded as a teacher’s college but now is the flagship research school within the wider Troy University System. Around 18,000 students attend Troy.

Features

Troy University offers a Human Services program that combines research with teaching and internship opportunities. This degree is anchored in a liberal arts core while also preparing you in concrete ways for professional work in social science and service. Graduates have therefore found careers as:

• Social Work Liaisons
• Case Management Aids
• Community Outreach Workers
• Juvenile Court Manager
• And more

Notables

Troy is nationally ranked by Forbes and regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Similarly, its online undergraduate and graduate degrees are consistently included among lists of the nation’s top 100 distance learning programs. Finally, The Princeton Review calls Troy one of the “Best in the Southeast.”

Overview

Montreat College is located in Montreat, North Carolina and is a small liberal arts school. Christian affiliated, Montreat’s programs are steeped in theology and biblical studies. This is one of the smallest schools on our list with under 800 undergraduate students who are enrolled in one of Montreat’s 20 academic programs.

Features

Montreat offers the ideal program for those who are most interested in human services from a psychological perspective. This bachelor degree is couched in a wider psychology degree, giving you a range of opportunities when you graduate, from rehabilitation counseling to psychiatry. Courses at Montreat include:

• Marriage and Family
• Social Welfare and Social Services
• Counseling Adolescents and Families
• Introduction to Human Services

Notables

Montreat is regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, as are its online undergraduate programs. And due to its small size and scope, Montreat has a reputation for student-centric learning. For example, the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1.

Overview

A Catholic liberal arts school, Saint Joseph’s of Maine is located in Standish, Maine, just outside of Portland. The college offers nearly 50 academic programs, 30 of which can be earned fully online. Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Saint Joseph’s is the only Catholic college in the state of Maine.

Features

At Saint Joseph’s of Maine you can earn a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies degree with a minor in Human Services. This program allows you to build a broad educational foundation while also gaining critical insight into health and social services. In addition to courses such as Modern Global History, Human Nature and Ethics, and Composition, you will also take:

• Case Management
• Psychopathology
• Lifespan Development
• Race and Ethnic Relations

Notables

The Saint Joseph’s College Online program is both highly regarded and exhaustive. Over 2,500 students are enrolled and benefit from the many services and resources offered, including online tutors and counselors, advisors, financial aid guidance, IT assistance, and much more.

Overview

University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), though headquartered in San Diego, offers all of its programs and degrees online. It offers programs in health, business, education, liberal arts, and more. From associate’s to master’s, UAGC provides more than 50 academic programs.

Features

UAGC offers a BA in Health and Human Services degree that is uniquely modeled. As a student you will take one class at a time in 5-week increments. Though an accelerated program you will still develop an in-depth understanding of human behavior within the health and human services context. And at UAGC you can specialize in one of two areas:

• Health Care Informatics Systems
• Long-Term Care

Notables

Though UAGC is a fully online university, it was founded before the twentieth century as a boarding school for girls. Since then it has bloomed into the university it is today, providing innovative and flexible education to non-traditional learners.

Overview

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public school located in Johnson City, Tennessee. ETSU is one of the largest universities in the state with over 15,000 students. It is known for its commitments to and achievements in research.

Features

At ETSU you can earn a full Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree online. This program introduces students to the full spectrum of human and health services, from cultural foundations to child, adolescent, or adult psychology. For example, some of the classes you may find yourself in at ETSU include:

• Counseling Theory and Practice
• Child/Family/Community Relations
• Understanding Cultural Diversity
• Family Development

Notables

ETSU has been awarded over $50 million in research funds, grants, and community service rewards. Its emphasis on research is evidenced by its annual Appalachian Student Research Forum, which promotes student research and awards $5,000 to the winning students.

Overview

Bluefield College is located in Bluefield, Virginia and is home to approximately 1,000 students. It is a small, Christian liberal arts school that provides 25 academic areas of study. Bluefield is organized into five schools, in the arts, business, sciences, education, and nursing.

Features

Whether you want to study behavioral issues within the home, workplace, or greater community, Bluefield’s program is one of the best in the nation. Their online human services major is notably positive in its scope. That is, the curriculum focuses on helping relationships, team partnership, ethics, and helping service networks. Some of Bluefields classes include:

• Sociology of Work and Occupations
• Family Dynamics for the Human Services Professional
• Abnormal Psychology
• Human Development for the Human Services Professional

Notables

Bluefield is home to recognized and well-ranked online undergraduate programs. U.S. News & World Report includes the College in its “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” rankings. Bluefield is also home to the Inspire project, which accelerates undergraduate degrees for adult learners.

Overview

Fisher College is located primarily in Boston but also has campuses throughout the state of Massachusetts. The College offers a number of degree programs, but is most known for its professional training in a diverse array of fields, from criminal justice to merchandising.

Features

Fisher College’s Human Services degree balances both the theoretical and practical knowledge of social work. It gives students the tools to enter a variety of career fields, including the health care sector, community organizations, and social agencies. At Fisher you will complete a wide-ranging curriculum that covers:

• Crisis Intervention
• Substance Abuse
• Systems and Policies
• Contemporary Issues in Human Services
• And much more

Notables

Fisher is an independent college that is notably student-centric in its teaching and focus. Students can study under a wide umbrella of disciplines, and they work closely with teachers in small classes. U.S. News & World Report ranks Fisher 32nd among all schools in its region.

Overview

Granite State College is located in Concord but has campuses all over New Hampshire. In fact, it is a member of the larger University System of New Hampshire. Granite State is one of the most affordable colleges in all of New England.

Features

Granite State’s BS in Human Services degree sets up its students to work in an array of sectors, from business and industry to nonprofit, education, and government. This program integrates human services with advanced theory and practical techniques. Some of the classes you’ll take while a Granite State student include:

• Human Services and the Helping Process
• Law and Ethics for Health Care and Human Services
• Social Stratification and Inequality
• Research Methods

Notables

Granite State was specifically founded to provide affordable, accessible higher education to non-traditional students. It therefore built an online and distance education program that is currently top-ranked. U.S. News & World Report’s includes Granite State’s online degrees in their ranking of the 100 best online programs.

Overview

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private university located primarily in Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. It specializes in health, tech, business, and engineering education. SNHU has over 60,000 students, a majority of whom study online.

Features

At SNHU you will learn how to advocate for policy change, how to develop an effective career plan, and how to evaluate client needs and outcomes. This BA in Human Services degree requires a capstone project that demonstrates the student’s ability to navigate real-world case issues. Additionally, required courses cover the spectrum of health and human services:

• Sociology of Social Problems
• Public Policy and Advocacy
• Law and Ethics in Human Services
• Case Management

Notables

Southern New Hampshire University has been named among the most innovative organizations in the world by Fast Company. This is because the University has produced highly interactive and flexible online education.

Overview

National Louis University (NLU) is located in and around the Chicago metro area. It also has campuses in Wisconsin and Florida. NLU offers numerous undergraduate and graduate programs that can be taken and completed online. Around 5,000 students attend NLU.

Features

NLU offers a BA in Human Services that can be paired with a double major in psychology. While the general degree gives students a hands-on experience, the psychology double major program is steeped in theory. Both, however, prepare students to work with individuals, families, and communities. You can further specialize by taking one of the five offered concentrations:

• Aging Studies
• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership
• Long Term Care
• Urban and Policy Studies

Notables

NLU is a leader in innovative and accessible education. The University has a pathway program for high schoolers as well as a P.A.C.E. program for young adults with developmental disabilities. NLU also helped found the National Parent Teacher Association.

Overview

Lesley University is a private school located in historic Cambridge, Massachusetts. Around 10,000 students attend Lesley, enrolled in one of the education, fine arts, counseling, or therapy programs.

Features

Lesley’s online BS in Human Services degree covers sociology, family theory, ethics, case management, and cultural issues surrounding race, class, and gender. This program emphasizes real-world experience, so expect to complete at least two internships. Graduates from the program have secured careers as:

• Grant Writers
• Child Welfare Workers
• Gerontology Aids
• Health Educators
• And more

Notables

Lesley was founded through the merger of a women’s teacher college and the Art Institute of Boston. Today, Lesley University is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Overview

Judson University is located in Elgin, Illinois and is home to only around 1,200 students. It is an evangelical Christian liberal arts school. More than 60 undergraduate degrees, plus pre-professional programs, are offered at Judson.

Features

The Judson BA in Human Services program brings together faith and critical thinking. This is an ideal program for those who want a theological perspective on individual, family, and community advocacy. Judson’s degree is also exhaustive, with a variety of coursework opportunities. Some of the classes you’ll take as a Judson student include:

• Social Welfare Policy
• Advocacy and Social Justice
• Cultural Competence
• Not-for-Profit Management

Notables

Judson is known for its involved student body and its vibrant campus. It hosts a number of highly regarded events each year including a World Leaders forum, a five-day film festival, a literacy conference, and much more.

Overview

Ottawa University is a Christian liberal arts college located in Ottawa, Kansas. It is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Though only around 600 students study on the Ottawa campus, another 7,000 plus study online.

Features

Ottawa’s BA in Human and Social Services degree prepares students to work in counseling, community outreach, rehabilitation, elder care, or government programs. At Ottawa you will learn a range of skills, from program implementation to case management and intervention. Some of the classes you’ll take as an Ottawa student include:

• Social Welfare: Issues in Human Services
• Social Policy and the Community
• Marriage and Family
• Group Work in Human Services

Notables

Just last year Ottawa University was ranked among the best regional private schools in Kansas. Likewise, U.S. News & World Report also includes it among the top 50 schools in the Midwest.

Overview

Located in Trenton, New Jersey, Thomas Edison State University (TESU) offers more than 100 areas of academic study. Approximately 17,200 students complete a wide variety of degree and certificate programs entirely through TESU’s online and distance learning course. The University is organized into five schools, in technology, business, nursing, public services, and the arts and sciences.

Features

Through TESU’s BS in Human Services program you will learn how to apply knowledge of cultural diversity to populations in need. This program is highly theoretical but also very hands-on. You will learn how to critically analyze research while honing your interpersonal communication strategies. Classes include:

• Intervention
• Client Populations
• Management
• Research Methods

Notables

Thomas Edison has been recognized by Forbes as being among the nation’s best schools for technology integration. Because TESU was a forerunner in distance education, its online degrees are highly regarded and well-ranked by U.S. News & World Report.