Online Bachelor's Degree in Human Services

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
34
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
4 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Bachelor’s in Human Services Overview

The demand for human services professionals is growing fast. It’s time to earn your bachelor’s degree online and move forward in a rewarding career advocating for individuals and communities.

  • Gain the skills, knowledge, and experience to assess, intervene, and evaluate the situations of those most vulnerable in our society.
  • Learn to critically evaluate the world as you explore the public and private policies that drive the day-to-day operations of human service agencies.
  • Choose from four concentrations to gain specialized knowledge in your field of interest.

Gain the Skills Employers — and Our Communities — Need

  • Master the theories, best practices, and historical and current trends in the human services profession.
  • Identify, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions involving client needs and delivery systems in human services.
  • Use relevant professional, ethical, and legal values, and standards.
  • Apply information and systems management skills to oversee and deliver human services.
  • Understand the importance of culture, gender, diversity, and global perspectives in the delivery of human services.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

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.

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.

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.

View Admissions Requirements

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.

Sample Courses

  • Prevention and Crisis Intervention
  • Family and Domestic Violence
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Public Personnel Administration
  • Child Welfare and Family
See All Human Services Courses

Program Requirements

45
Core Credits
90
Major Credits
45
Elective Credits
180
Total Credits

Concentration Requirements

45
Core Credits
90
Major Credits
21
Elective Credits
24
Concentration Credits
180
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Human Services Degree Concentrations

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.

  • 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.

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
  • Psychology
  • Public administration

For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.

Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience

The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2 years to complete their degree.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

Get Started

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.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. 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.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

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.

Our Commitment

Download the 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.

View Brochure

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.

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.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Bachelor's Completion Time and Average Net Price: The average completion time for Purdue Global online bachelor’s degree students who graduated in the 2022–2023 academic year was 2.3 years. Average net price reflects charges for all graduates, including those who transferred to Purdue Global, after application of scholarships, tuition reductions, grants (including federal Pell grants for undergraduate students), employer tuition assistance, and/or military tuition assistance. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023.

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.

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.

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.