Bachelor’s in Human Services Program Guide
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Graduates with a bachelor's degree in human services qualify for diverse careers in advocacy, healthcare, and social work. Students aspiring to a rewarding service-oriented career often pursue a major in human services to build strong communication, management, and problem-solving skills.
An online bachelor's degree in human services can provide flexible enrollment and accelerated completion options, ideal for human services professionals ready to launch their career. Graduates can pursue diverse job opportunities in fields, such as social and community service management. Between 2019 and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 17% job growth for these professionals, who earn a median annual salary of $69,600.
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Should I Get a Bachelor's in Human Services?
Earning a bachelor's in human services is a sensible path for selfless, empathetic people looking to make a difference in the world.
Earning a bachelor's in human services is a sensible path for selfless, empathetic people looking to make a difference in the world. Most graduates go on to pursue fulfilling work as advocates for underrepresented communities, families, and individuals. A typical bachelor's degree in human services emphasizes the liberal arts and advanced analytical skills.
Students can often customize their program according to their career goals. A bachelor's in human services typically takes four years to complete, though many schools offer accelerated schedules and set or in-state tuition rates. Learners with significant work or family obligations may prefer the convenience of an online degree over an on-campus program.
While human services professionals must be sensitive and open-minded, work in this field also requires exceptional organizational, time management, and listening skills. Students aspiring to become social and community service workers, human services assistants, or medical and health services managers can gain experience in case management, ethics, public policy, and research through a bachelor's in human services.
What Will I Learn in a Human Services Bachelor's Program?
Schools often choose to offer either a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in human services. Most human services programs award a bachelor of arts. A typical bachelor's degree in human services offers interdisciplinary coursework in subjects like psychology, communications, and social sciences.
Some programs include an internship in a student's area of specialization, and most culminate in a capstone project. Many schools offer a variety of unique concentration options for aspiring family services specialists, child advocates, and addictions counselors to hone their skills in a particular area of expertise.
Some concentrations, such as healthcare and addictions, may prepare students for optional professional licensure or a graduate degree.
Concentrations
Child and Family Services
Similar to social work, this concentration prepares students to advocate on behalf of children and families as case workers, community health workers, or human services managers. Coursework may include ethics and child welfare laws, family dynamics, and child development.
Addictions
Students may pursue this concentration to help rehabilitate people addicted to a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, or an addictive behavior, such as gambling. Graduates can enter fields like addiction counseling and rehabilitation program management.
Gerontology
This concentration prepares students to provide human services, especially healthcare, to a growing geriatric population. Coursework explores long-term and lifespan care and the holistic effects of aging. Graduates may pursue careers in senior healthcare and assisted living communities.
Criminal Justice
Human services and criminal justice intersect at critical junctures involving advocacy, social justice, and the law. This concentration helps aspiring corrections specialists and victim advocates understand the criminal justice system, the judicial process, and law enforcement.
Healthcare
Among the most critical areas of human services, healthcare concentrations suit aspiring patient advocates, health services managers, and healthcare coordinators. Students focusing on healthcare-related human services explore the healthcare system, healthcare policy, and information management.
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What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Human Services?
Earning a degree in human services leads to open-ended career options in multiple fields. Graduates often become social and community services managers, but they also qualify for unique clinical and administrative healthcare positions. There are jobs in social community services management at the intersection of medical and public services fields, such as helping organize a community-wide health education program or providing free checkups.
Some students earn a bachelor's degree in human services on the path to becoming social workers or mental health counselors. Bachelor's degree-holders can become human services assistants or caseworkers to accumulate experience.
Many students go on to pursue a master's degree in social work or counseling, meeting the minimum education requirement to obtain an initial license in those fields.
Popular Career Paths
Popular Continuing Education Paths
How Much Money Can I Make With a Bachelor's in Human Services?
A bachelor's degree in human services can lead to a stable job with a lucrative salary. According to the BLS, social and human services assistants earn a median annual salary of $35,960, while social and community service managers make nearly $70,000 per year. Medical and health services managers can earn a salary of more than $100,000 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor's in Human Services Programs
Is a bachelor's in human services worth it?
A bachelor's in human services is a diverse program with broad professional applications. Graduates can pursue lucrative careers in fields like community education, healthcare, and social work.
How much does it cost to get a bachelor's in human services?
A typical degree from a four-year university can cost more than $27,000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics; however, online bachelor's degrees in human services are widely available, which can help lower costs through benefits like set or in-state tuition.
Is human services a good major?
Human services programs are especially diverse, leading to career opportunities in a variety of fields. Programs usually offer concentrations like addictions, child services, and criminal justice to allow students to customize their degree.
What kind of jobs can I get with a bachelor's in human services?
Graduates with a bachelor's in human services can become human services and social work assistants, community services managers, and health services managers. With additional education and licensure, graduates can become mental health counselors and social workers.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's in human services?
Like any traditional bachelor's degree, a human services program typically takes four years to complete; however, many online bachelor's degrees in human services offer accelerated schedules and part-time enrollment.
