Online Human Services Degree and Certificate Programs

Human services is an interdisciplinary field encompassing a variety of social services that improve the quality of life and promote the self-sufficiency of individuals and communities, focusing on prevention and remediation.

Examples of human services include programs focused on child and family welfare, rehabilitation, human service administration, gerontology, food and shelter, client advocacy, guidance, health care, counseling services, and more. 

Government and nonprofit agencies are key players in the human service field. Support is delivered through organizations, individuals or agencies that provide access to a broad range of services, support, and coordination in service delivery.

Due to the nature of a continually evolving society, an aging population, and policy changes, human services professionals are needed in a variety of settings, for a variety of reasons. No matter the route, a degree in human services will prepare you for roles helping others, counseling and advocating for those suffering substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic violence, and more.

Human service careers require strong written and verbal skills, the ability to connect with people and build relationships regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, collaboration and teamwork skills, and empathy above all else. Graduates receive a well-rounded education that’s valuable in a variety of settings from legal assistance organizations, to food and nutrition agencies, senior citizen centers, women’s shelters, disaster relief, and more.

Human service careers have a lot in common with careers in social work, in that both fields focus on helping people solve their problems and improve their quality of life. However, human services professionals focus more on everyday challenges and finding solutions through organizations or agencies that provide case management, administrative support, or client advocacy. Students who ultimately want to be licensed social workers need to earn a master’s degree in social work and get licensed based on their state’s requirements.

So, what can you do with a human services degree? Here are some human service careers you may qualify for, depending on your program:

Social Worker

Social workers help individuals solve and cope with issues in their everyday life. Their employment is expected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031.

School and Career Counselor or Advisor

School counselors help develop academic and social skills that pave the way for career- and life-readiness. Employment is expected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors advocate for and advise those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, mental health obstacles, and more. Their employment is expected to grow 22 percent from 2021 to 2031.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Family therapists help manage and overcome problems within specific family structures and dynamics. Their employment is expected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Yes, human services programs are often accredited by the CSHSE (Council for Standards in Human Service Education). This accreditation is voluntary and labor-intensive, and assures the quality, consistency, and relevance of the curriculum through research-based standards.

Several of Purdue Global’s online human services degrees are accredited by the CSHSE. CSHSE accredited programs certify that these meet the National Standards related to human services programs and curriculum.

The following Purdue Global School of Human Services programs are CSHSE accredited:

• Associate of Applied Science in Human Services
• Bachelor of Science in Human Services
• Master of Science in Human Services

When selecting a human services program, you’ll also find that some offer coursework that fulfills the requirements to sit for the exam to become a Human Services–Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP™). You’ll need to meet post-degree experience requirements as well in to earn the HS-BCP™ credential. Refer to Purdue Global's State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information.

As an institution, Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The length of time it takes to complete your human services degree depends on the type of degree you’re studying for and your previous experience. Many students enroll at Purdue Global with a range of prior learning credits and experiences. Our student body includes everyone from professionals looking to advance their careers to career-changers who are new to the human services field. To make things easy, we provide a graduation date calculator to help you determine your expected graduation date based on your unique situation.

Depending on the degree, average completion times vary from student to student—but here are some sample degree completion time estimates (based on full-time study):

• Associate of Applied Science in Human Services: 2 years
• Bachelor of Science in Human Services: 4 years
• Master of Science in Human Services: 1.5 years

For those looking to enter the field of human services or specialize their role with a certificate, our Child and Family Services and Elder Care Certificates in Human Services take less than a year on average to complete.

For weekly time commitments, we estimate Purdue Global students should plan for the following:

• For students enrolled in 10-week terms:  ~15-18 hours per week, per course
• For students enrolled in 12-week terms: ~20-25 hours per week, per course

(These estimates include time spent in the online classroom in addition to offline study. Advanced courses may require additional time.)

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.