Concentrations allow you to personalize your bachelor’s degree in human services by focusing your elective choices on an area of study that best fits your desired career path.
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services
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Program at a Glance
- Gain the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and experience to assess, intervene, and evaluate the situations of those most vulnerable in our society.
- Learn to provide services designed to meet the needs of clients within a variety of settings including: mental health centers, social service agencies, school-based programs, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, health care settings, prisons, the court system, and the community itself.
- Fulfill the requirements to sit for the exam to become a Human Services—Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP™).*
- Focus your human services degree with elective courses in four concentration areas:
Upcoming Start Dates
Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
4 years
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
180
(120 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$371
Bachelor's Degree in Human Services Overview
Purdue Global’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Services teaches you how to advocate for individuals and communities, critically evaluating your social world as you explore the public and private policies that drive the day-to-day operations of human service agencies. Through a comprehensive curriculum, you'll develop skills in the following areas:
- Knowledge and skill base: Examine theoretical bases, best practices, and historical and current trends related to the human services profession.
- Planning and evaluation skills: Apply theory and skills to identify, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions involving client needs and delivery systems in the human services profession.
- Values and ethics: Use the professional, ethical, and legal values, standards, and practices of the human services profession.
- Information and systems management: Apply the information and skills necessary to manage and deliver human services.
- Diversity and global awareness: Illustrate the importance of culture, gender, diversity, and global perspectives in the delivery of human services.
Prepare for HS-BCP Certification
The coursework in this program fulfills the requirements to sit for the exam to become a Human Services—Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP™). Please note that you must meet post-degree experience requirements in order to earn the HS-BCP credential.
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
Member of CSHSE
This program is a member of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) and adheres to their curriculum standards.
The CSHSE can be contacted at Council for Standards in Human Service Education, 3337 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Ways to Save
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Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
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Prior Work Experience
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Grants
Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.
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Prior Military Experience
We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
Program Cost Estimator
Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.
Take the Next Step in Your Education and Career
Accelerated Master’s Degree Options
Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. While you earn your bachelor’s degree in human services, you can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in one of the following areas:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Criminal justice
- Education
- Educational psychology
- Higher education
- Homeland security and emergency management
- Human services
- Instructional design and technology
- Legal studies
- Public administration
- Psychology
For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.
Take a Career Assessment
Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.
What Courses Will I Take?
Coursework focuses on providing a solid foundation in communication, drawing from disciplines in health services, psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice to help equip you with the tools to meet the complex challenges of the twenty-first century.
See All Human Services CoursesSample Courses
- Prevention and Crisis Intervention
- Family and Domestic Violence
- Juvenile Justice
- Public Personnel Administration
- Child Welfare and Family
Program Requirements
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits90
- Elective Credits45
- Total Credits180
Concentration Requirements
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits90
- Elective Credits21
- Concentration Credits24
- Total Credits180
Human Services Degree Concentrations
- Human services administration
Gain the knowledge and skills to influence policy, supervise staff, and intervene on behalf of those most vulnerable in our society in situations involving other agencies and players in the human services industry.
- Gerontology
Focus your degree on studying the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of humans during the aging process, and how this population impacts social policy and program delivery.
- Child and family welfare
Learn to assess, evaluate, intervene, and re-evaluate social structures, such as adoption, foster care, child protection, and reunification, as you work with children and families.
- Community organization and advocacy
Acquire the knowledge and skills to work as a change agent within the community or specific groups. Learn how to demonstrate the need for change within the community, influence outcomes, drive change, and organize action.
Human Services Career Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that human services related occupations are projected to grow between 11% and 25% over the next decade, depending on the area of focus.‡ Work settings may include areas such as mental health, social services, education, rehabilitation, group and community work, and workplaces including nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics. Purdue Global’s online human services degree can prepare you to join this growing field.
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem-solving
- Speaking
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. This program was not designed to lead to certification or licensure as a social worker or counselor in any specific state, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Human Services Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
51%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
395
Faculty publications in 2021–2022
More Than 38,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.
Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.
That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Human Services and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Human Services Programs Licensure: The coursework in this program fulfills the academic requirements to sit for the exam to become a Human Services—Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP™). Please note that you must meet post-degree experience requirements in order to earn the HS-BCP credential. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams.
This program was not designed to lead to certification or licensure as a social worker or counselor in any specific state, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.
†Future Programs: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.
‡Job Growth in Human Services Occupations: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Human Service Assistants, Home Health and Personal Care, Social and Community Service Managers, Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers, and Rehabilitation Counselors. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.