Human Services Degree Online Programs

Human services degree online programs empower learners with skills and knowledge to help and serve people in the community.

A human services degree program provides students with skills-based training enabling them to enter into a broad range of service careers that includes social services, community support, psychology and even counseling. Training may include learning various interviewing and assessment techniques, managing client cases, group counseling and crisis intervention.

Graduate degrees in human services provide more knowledge related to leading, organizing and planning. In addition to the skills acquired during the online program, students must have a strong desire to work with people, and be willing to form personal and professional relationships with their coworkers and clients.

Why earn a human services degree by distance learning?

Human services education is well-suited for online learning. The online learning environment allows you to easily interact with other human service professionals to share information, discuss real-world applications of coursework and gain insight into career options. Students currently working as human services professionals can gain the skills and education needed to advance their career. Other reasons why learners may enroll for an online program include:

• Options to earn a human services associate's degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in 4-5 years (or less). Some online programs provide options for learners to complete a master’s degree in as little as 16-24 months.
• Some online human service degree programs do not require you to complete a field experience, or clinical work. Even if this is not required, this type of real-world experience may be useful in obtaining your first human services job.
• Access to experienced instructors and human service professionals, no matter where you live.
• Opportunities to develop online learning skills that will also serve you well in your future career.

Human Services Degrees and Program Specializations

Human services is a broad field that covers residential care, homeless shelters, correctional facilities and hospitals and clinics. Degree programs provide students with an equally broad curriculum that will prepare them for entry-level positions in many of these fields. Schools may also offer specific courses that focus on topics relevant to one or more of these areas, such as poverty, domestic violence and the elderly. Students can use their elective courses to focus on specific areas of interest, or select a wide range of subjects.

• Bachelors in human services
• Masters in human services
• Doctorate in human services

Featured Online Colleges with Human Services Degree Programs

Post University

• B.S. in Human Services
• B.S. in Human Services / Counseling
• B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
• B.S. in Human Services / Human Services Management
• B.S. in Human Services / Psychology
• B.S. in Human Services / Sociology
• M.S. in Human Services
• M.S. in Human Services / Clinical Counseling
• M.S. in Human Services / Drug and Alcohol Counseling
• M.S. in Human Services / Program Administration

Walden University

• B.S. in Psychology - Human Services
• B.S. in Human Services - Child and Adolescent Development
• B.S. in Human Services - Courts and the Legal System
• B.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice
• B.S. in Human Services - Cultural Studies
• B.S. in Human Services - Global Social Justice and Civic Engagement
• B.S. in Human Services - Leadership and Administration
• B.S. in Human Services - Psychology
• B.S. in Human Services - Self-Designed
• M.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice
• M.S. in Human Services - Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
• M.S. in Human Services - Family Studies and Interventions
• M.S. in Human Services - General Program
• M.S. in Human Services - Human Services Administration
• M.S. in Human Services - Public Health
• M.S. in Human Services - Social Policy Analysis and Planning

Liberty University

• Master of Arts in Human Services - Business
• Master of Arts in Human Services - Christian Ministries
• Master of Arts in Human Services - Executive Leadership
• Master of Arts in Human Services - Health and Wellness
• Master of Arts in Human Services - Marriage and Family

Planning for a career in human services

After finishing your human services degree online, you will be ready to help and educate people in the community, shelters, hospitals and clinics. Here are steps to help you turn your online degree into a successful career:

• Take advantage of your school's career resources before you graduate. The school's career center may help you prepare your résumé, learn interview skills, find jobs that suit you or look for graduate schools. Some schools also have networks of alumni that are excellent contacts for exploring your options and landing that first interview.
• Take advantage of fieldwork placements. Some schools offer opportunities to spend time in a clinic or shelter as part of your coursework. This practical experience not only provides first-hand experience in the field, but also allows you to identify specialties that you enjoy or dislike.
• Talk to your instructors and advisors about careers in human services. They can provide you with insight about different fields, share their experiences and help you start to focus your career as you near graduation.

The many roles of human services professional

Human services professionals work for a variety of organizations. They find work in the integrated professions of public health, social work, medical administration, psychology, and counseling, as well as leadership, management, and evaluation and analysis roles. Much of the work is challenging, but those who stick with the profession often find it rewarding because of the ability to help people find health, safety and success in life. Their daily job activities also vary-keeping client records, helping people obtain services, leading group meetings and activities, or educating clients about life and health skills.

The large number of possibilities means that health services professionals must continually learn, as well as work closely with other coworkers. In addition, the demands of the job sometimes can be overwhelming, often leading to career burnout.

Dedication to the career, however, pays off and job opportunities in human services will continue to rise. This is largely due to the increased number of services required by a growing elderly population. Salaries for these positions tend to be lower than other professions, but health service workers are often more committed to helping the people in the community than to a large income.

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