2023 Best Online Human Services Degrees

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New England's Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Human Services to help students understand how compassion intersects with process and policy. Concentration options include Child and Family Services, Gerontology, and Substance Abuse. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, which generally takes full-time students four years. SNHU has a generous transfer policy, allowing students to transfer up to 90 credits into this online bachelor's program. An online Bachelor of Arts in General Studies - Essentials of Human Services is also available. SNHU has a 94% acceptance rate and a 40% graduation rate.

SNHU's distance learners access Brightspace to receive coursework and instruction. Depending on the concentration, online human services students take classes such as Child Growth and Cognitive Development, Aging and Wellness, Foundations of Addictions, and Role and Impact of Trauma on Children and Families.

Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Community Development - Community Services to help students develop the skills to foster better health, economic, and political opportunities for diverse populations. Full-time students can typically complete this 120-credit program in four years. CMU accepts 77% of applicants, and 61% of students graduate with degrees.

CMU delivers its online programming via Blackboard. The community service curriculum is designed to help students develop fiscal management and leadership skills and deepen cultural diversity knowledge. Online community services distance learners choose from courses such as Racism and Inequality, Community Health, Criminology, and The Family. Students also complete a practicum to practice applying skills in real-life situations. Potential careers include community planner, community relations director, and social and community services manager.

Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services that can help equip distance learners with the skills they need to serve their communities. Specializations are also available, such as Organizational Leadership, Emergency Management, Fundraising, and Healthcare Management. Graduating requires completing 120 credits and generally takes four years of full-time study. CSU Global accepts 96% of applicants, and 46% of students graduate with degrees.

CSU Global provides access to Canvas so students can access its online program curriculum. Depending on the specialization, courses in the human services program may include Leading Through Conflict Resolution, Comprehensive Emergency Planning, Population Health Management, and Public Relations Techniques.

Macon, Georgia's Mercer University (MU) is a private nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services to help students develop problem-solving, case management, and client-centered mental health practice skills. This 120-credit program takes full-time students about four years to complete. There are two eight-week terms in the fall and spring semesters and one eight-week and one four-week term in the summer. Students may be eligible to accelerate the completion of a Master of Science in Human Services by completing two graduate courses instead of two undergraduate courses and apply credits to both degrees. MU has a 75% acceptance rate and a 61% graduation rate.

Canvas is MU's choice for delivering online coursework and instruction to distance learners. Those enrolled in the online human services bachelor's program choose from courses such as Advanced Grant Proposal Development, Family and the Court System, Multicultural Issues and Professional Practice, and Older Adults in the 21st Century. An internship is also required for students to earn their degrees.

The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh (UWO) is one of 26 campuses in the UW system. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services Leadership in an accelerated format so students may finish faster to start serving their communities as quickly as possible. Graduating from this 120-credit program may take full-time students less than four years due to its seven-week course format, and they may start the program at any time. UWO accepts 90% of applicants, and 58% of students graduate with degrees.

UWO delivers its online programming via Canvas. The online human services leadership program courses include Globalization in Human Services, Interpersonal Relationships in the Helping Professions, Program Evaluation and Grant Writing, and Legal and Ethical Aspects of Human Services. An internship is also required once students complete a minimum of 65 credits.

Central Washington University (CWU) in Ellensburg is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Social Services for students interested in working for government agencies and nonprofits assisting populations in need. This is a 120-credit program that takes full-time students approximately four years to complete. CWU has an 88% acceptance and a 64% graduation rate.

CWU uses the Canvas learning management system for online program delivery. Online social services students take courses such as Minority Experience, Death and Dying, Sociology of Food, and Urban Sociology. Students must also complete four credits of cooperative education to prepare for careers in environments, including vocational rehabilitation services, food delivery programs, transitional housing centers, and recreational programs for children and teenagers.

Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences, allowing students to integrate courses from multiple departments for an interdisciplinary educational experience. Students choose three concentrations, including two from the College of Human Services and one from any of TTU's 13 colleges. Concentrations may include Addictive Disorders & Recovery Studies, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, and Human Development & Family Services. Full-time students can generally complete this 120-credit program in four years. TTU is relatively competitive, accepting 68% of applicants. It has a higher-than-average 63% graduation rate.

TTU delivers its online curriculum through Blackboard. Depending on the concentrations chosen, human services distance learners complete courses such as Development in Cross-Cultural Perspectives; Culture and Gender Diversity in Personal Finance; Contemporary Families; and Love, Life, and Money. It's important to note that some courses, such as lab sciences, aren't available online and must be completed at a school near the student's home.

Upper Iowa University (UIU) in rural Fayette is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services, including minors such as Psychology, Criminal Justice, Management, and Public Administration. Graduating requires 120 credits, which full-time students may complete in four years or less if transferring credits. Courses are eight weeks with an accelerated six-week summer session. Students can take two courses at a time to help maintain school/work/life balance. UIU is relatively competitive, accepting 65% of applicants. It has a 50% graduation rate.

UIU delivers its online programming via uiuLearn powered by Brightspace. Coursework will depend on whether a minor is chosen. However, human services distance learners generally take courses such as Marriage and the Family, Social Gerontology, Social Welfare Programs/Policies, and Issues/Ethics: Helping Professions. A program advisor can help determine if an internship is required.

Baptist faith-based Shorter University (SU) in Georgia is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services with coursework grounded in social work, psychology, and sociology. A minor in Criminal Justice, Sport Management, or General Business is required. It generally takes full-time students four years to complete 120 credits and a 16-week internship near their home. SU accepts 81% of applicants, and 52% of students graduate with degrees.

SU uses Canvas for online curriculum delivery. The online human services bachelor's program courses include Psychopathology, Lifespan Development, Social Psychology, and Addictive Behaviors. Students also choose electives based on their minor. Graduates often pursue careers as adult services workers, intake coordinators, elderly services providers, and case managers, to name a few options.

Indiana-based Purdue Global (PG) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services to help students develop skills relevant to settings, including mental health centers, social service agencies, nursing homes, and local communities. Concentrations include the following: Human Services Administration, Gerontology, Child and Family Welfare, and Community Organization and Advocacy. The program curriculum helps prepare students to sit for the Human Services Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) exam. This 120-credit program takes approximately four years of full-time study. PG has an open admission policy that accepts all applicants, and 30% of students graduate.

PG delivers its online coursework and instruction via Brightspace. Depending on the concentration, human services distance learners take classes such as Advocacy for Families and Youth, Restorative Justice in Human Services, Psychology of Aging, and Public Personnel Administration.

Ohio University - Main Campus (OU) in Athens is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Applied Human and Consumer Sciences in Human Services (BAHCS) through Patton College that can help prepare students for career advancement in social services and public health roles. Areas of emphasis include Leadership and Organization as well as Diversity and Communication. Graduating requires 120 credits and can take full-time students as little as two years. OU has an 89% acceptance and a 66% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system OU uses to deliver its online program content to distance learners. Depending on the emphasis, courses in the online BAHCS program include Cross-Cultural Communication, Introduction to LGBTQ Studies, Marketing Principles, and Women and Leadership: Roles and Responsibilities.

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services that aims to help students build a solid foundation in human needs assessment and problem-solving. Concentrations include Advocacy, Education, and Human Services. This 120-credit program typically takes full-time students four years or possibly less if applying transfer credits. FSCJ has an open admission policy that accepts all applicants, and 37% of students graduate with degrees.

FSCJ delivers its online coursework and instruction via Canvas. Depending on the concentration, human services distance learners choose from classes, such as Issues in Domestic Violence, Relations Across Family-School-Community, Drug Awareness and Education, and Classroom and Behavior Management. An internship is also required once a student has passed a background check.

Tuscon's University of Arizona (UA) is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services as a socially-focused, community-driven degree program focusing on diversity, inclusion, empowerment, and social justice. Five areas of interest are available: Education & Human Development; Health, Nutrition, & Fitness; Interdisciplinary Studies; Psychology & Human Behavior; and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Graduating requires completing 120 credits — up to 60 credits are accepted — generally taking four years of full-time study. UA has an 87% acceptance and a 65% graduation rate.

UA uses Desire2Learn (D2L) to deliver online coursework and instruction to distance learners. Depending on the area of interest, courses in the online human services bachelor's program include Transitional Resiliency; Identity, Personality, and Cultural Humility; Program Planning and Evaluation; and Leadership, Ethics, and Professional Practices.

The Midwest's Baker College Online (BC) in Missouri is a private nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services created using input from working professionals to help ensure students learn practical and relevant skills. This is a 120-credit program that includes a combination of psychology, general education, and human services courses, culminating in two 180-hour internships. Full-time students generally finish in four years. BC is competitive and accepts 41% of applicants. It has a 22% graduation rate, which is considerably lower than average.

BC delivers its online programming via Canvas. Human services distance learners take courses such as Trauma-Informed Care in Crisis Intervention, Family Systems and Support Strategies, The DSM System and Mental Health Services, and Psychology of Drug Use and Addiction.

Virginia's Bluefield University is a private Baptist faith-based institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Human Services, a hybrid program instructed through the lens of the Christian faith. Minors include Psychology, Substance Abuse Counselor, Christian Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care, Marriage and Family Studies, and Life Coaching. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, typically taking full-time students for years. BU has a 72% acceptance and a 44% graduation rate.

Distance learners log into Canvas to access BU's online curriculum. Depending on the minor, online psychology and human services students participate in courses, such as Spiritual Formation for the Helping Individual, Trauma-Responsive Interventions, Modern Parenting, Professional Coaching: Coaching Individuals for Transformational Change, and Abnormal Psychology. At least one biblical studies course is also required.