Online Associate’s Degree in Human Services
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Associate’s in Human Services Overview
Come back stronger, ready to meet the needs of society’s most vulnerable members. Earn your human services degree and move your career forward.
- Learn to critically evaluate policies driving human service agencies, and decide the best ways to intervene on behalf of the clients you serve.
- Launch or advance your career in mental health services, social services, education, rehabilitation, group and community work, and workplaces such as nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics.
- Fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the optional HS-BCP exam.
- Get a head start on your next degree — you can apply your associate’s credits toward a future Purdue Global bachelor’s.
- Program is a member of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) and adheres to their curriculum standards.
Gain Skills That Employers — and Clients — Need
- Understand human-services basics, including theory, best practices, and trends.
- Learn to identify and manage client interventions and delivery of services.
- Uphold professional, ethical, and legal values, standards, and practices.
- Provide services to help in-need individuals in the community.
- Examine the importance of culture, gender, global perspectives, and the variety of human experiences in the delivery of human services.
Practical Learning. Real Opportunities.
Apply your classroom knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios through a final hands-on capstone project. Put your learning to work and show what you know.
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 AAS in Human Services prepares you to meet complex twenty-first century challenges in human services, drawing from a number of areas, including health services, psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice.
Sample Courses
- Human Services Program and Profession
- Human Behavior and the Environment
- Survey of Social Problems
- Applied Skills for Human Services
- Prevention and Crisis Intervention
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.
Take the Next Step in Your Education and Career
Prepare for Certification
Courses fulfill the requirements to sit for the optional Human Services—Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) exam. (You must meet post-degree experience requirements in order to earn this optional credential.)
Get a Head Start on Your Bachelor's
Transfer your associate’s degree in human services credits into Purdue Global’s online bachelor’s in human services.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
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.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- 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?
- Describe a situation where you had to work with a team to support a client with complex needs. What role did you play, and how did you ensure effective collaboration?
- Describe a time you encountered an unexpected obstacle or a problem that required you to think quickly and adapt your plan. What was the situation, and what did you do?
- Tell me about a situation where you had to work with someone on a team who had a very different working style or personality than yours. How did you adapt to ensure effective teamwork?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Communication
- Planning
- Writing
- Customer Service
- Coordinating
- Time Managment
- Life Skills Development
- Professionalism
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical Standards And Conduct
- Case Coordination
- Detail Oriented
- Interpersonal Communications
- Scheduling
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 an associate's degree in human 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.