Online Human Services Certificate in Child and Family Services
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Child and Family Services Certificate Overview
It’s time to pursue a position or promotion in the field of human services. Earn your certificate in child and family services and move your career forward making a difference in your community.
- Be ready to meet the fast-growing demand for social and human service assistants.
- Gain basic skills and knowledge of child and family services through eight targeted courses.
- Improve the lives of children and families, as well as societal systems such as schools, the economy, health and welfare systems, and criminal justice.
- Complete your certificate 100% online while meeting the demands of your career.
- Learn from professors who are experienced human services professionals.
- Get a head start on your next degree — you can apply credits from this program toward a future Purdue Global associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Gain Skills That Employers — and Families — Need
- Learn the developmental milestones of children and adolescents.
- Recognize appropriate skills required of a human services professional.
- Assess client needs to determine appropriate interventions and/or services.
Engage With Fellow Students
Online discussion boards provide the opportunity to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences in their communities.
Students are invited to join the Human Services Club for further networking and educational opportunities.
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.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
The curriculum for this human services certificate program will introduce you to child and family services and provide foundational skills and general knowledge to help you succeed in this field.
Sample Courses
- Applied Skills for Human Services
- Prevention and Crisis Intervention
- Case Management in Human Services
- Child Welfare and Family
- Studies in Child and Adolescent Development
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
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.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
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.
Career Responsibilities in the Child and Family Services
Human services assistants, advocates, caseworkers, family support workers, and human services program specialists help provide the following services:
- Family support
- Identifying and obtaining benefits
- Social and community service programs
- Assisting social workers resolve or prevent problems related to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Can you describe your experience working with diverse populations? How have you adapted your approach to meet the unique needs of different individuals or communities?
- Describe your experience developing or improving a program to better serve clients. How did you measure its success and make adjustments
- Describe a time when you had to advocate for a client who wasn't getting the services or support they needed. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
- Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult or challenging client? What techniques did you use in the situation, and what was the outcome?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Human Services
- Case Management
- Mental Health
- Life Skills Development
- Crisis Intervention
- Communication
- Advocacy
- Planning
- Writing
- Computer Literacy
- Problem Solving
- Interpersonal Communications
- Teamwork
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Research
Download the School Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about our human services programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a Human Services Certificate in Child and Family Services.
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.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.