Affordable Online Human Services Degrees

Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, the University of the Cumberlands has been providing a Christian-based liberal arts education for students of all backgrounds for over 125 years. Among the several degree programs offered at Cumberlands is a human services degree online created to cultivate the self-awareness and compassion needed to approach today's mental health and substance abuse challenges in the United States as well as the needs of the country's aging population. UC's curriculum totals 128 credit hours and courses are taught to train students in three interconnected areas: skills in providing assistance, behavioral theory, and current social issues. In addition to the program's general education and core requirements, students take a number of electives related to the major and complete field training in an approved organization or service center. Cumberlands offers an incredibly cheap tuition rate, enabling students to complete their entire bachelor’s degree for very little even before financial aid.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was established in 1871 as a school for training teachers. Today UWO is a comprehensive institution, offering 60 undergraduate academic programs, including an online human services degree. A multidisciplinary program with the goal of empowering future social justice advocates, community planners, and non-profit administrators, this bachelor of science in human services leadership program is delivered through the D2L online platform. The program's curriculum consists of 120 hours of general education requirements, electives, and major courses with topics in human services globalization, strategies for intervention, and program evaluation and grant writing, to name a few. Students must also complete a number of internships designed to cultivate hands-on learning and professional development opportunities. Designed as a degree completion pathway, most students enter the program with at least 65 approved transfer credits or an associate’s degree from a reputable institution. Individuals who do not meet this requirement may still apply, earning a “pre-admitted” status until they have achieved the desired credit load.

Located in Longview, Texas, Christian institution LeTourneau University was established in 1946 as an all-male technical institute. Today LeTourneau is a co-educational and gender-inclusive institution, offering a wide variety of academic programs through its six schools. Among these degree options is an online human services degree designed to prepare students for versatile career options in such fields as healthcare and social services or for continued education at the graduate level. Totaling 124 credit hours, the curriculum for this bachelor of human services includes a number of general education courses that emphasize Christian history and ethics as well as major core requirements, with courses in grant writing, criminal law, theories and techniques of counseling, and more. Students also take a number of elective courses, drawn from fields such as criminal justice and psychology. The school's affordable tuition rate sits at $450 per credit hour and a number of scholarships are available, including those specifically for hispanic students and residents of the east Texas.

Western Washington University, located in Bellingham, enrolls over 15,000 students annually and offers over 160 academic programs, including a bachelor of arts in human services. With its distinct social justice emphasis, graduates from this human services degree online program go on to become — just to name a few possible professions — case managers, youth counselors, human resource specialists, fundraisers, and advocacy specialists for marginalized and at-risk groups. Program curriculum consists of major courses in topics like case management and interventions, diversity and social justice dynamics, and program evaluation. The WWU program also requires a substantial amount of skill-based practicum and field work through internships, which enables students to actualize what they’ve learned as professionals in approved human services environments. Students discuss options with their faculty advisor to ensure that they get the most out of their experiences. The program's affordable tuition is based on residency status and financial aid is available, including the Jerry House award, an award tailored specifically for human services students.

Located in Lakeland, Florida, Southeastern University was founded in 1935 as a training school for priests and laymen. Today SEU is a comprehensive institution, which offers over 70 academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Designed to accommodate the growing need for professionals in the field, this human services degree online program prepares students to link those in need with sources of aid and help in a variety of settings and environments, from clinics and nursing homes to homeless shelters and substance abuse programs. Courses are offered in an accelerated four-week structure and the curriculum, which consists of general education, required major, and elective courses, add up to 124 credit hours. Students take human services classes in topics like group dynamics, human services delivery, and case management and intervention. Learners must complete a minimum of two practicum with embedded field experiences. With a tuition rate of $390 per credit hour, the cost of pursuing an online degree at SEU is cheap.

East Tennessee State University was established as a small normal school in 1911, but today enrolls over 14,500 students and boasts a comprehensive catalog of academic programs. Located in Johnson City, ETSU offers an online human services degree that provides students interested in counseling, administration, case management, and other related professions the fundamental background in human and behavioral science they need to succeed in the field. Students pursuing this bachelor of science program complete a 120 hours of coursework in general education and major-related courses like family development, counseling theory and practice, and administration for human services organizations. And though students are only required to take six hours in guided/major electives, they may choose to fulfill their general elective hours with courses related to human services or pursue a minor. Practicum experience and internship are also part of the degree and students complete these requirements under the guidance of a professional mentor. The affordable tuition is based on residency status, but out-of-state students completing their work entirely online are eligible for a discounted rate.

Located in Plainview, Texas, Wayland Baptist University opened its doors to its first 241 students in 1910. Today WBU offers more than 65 academic programs, including a bachelor of applied science in human services. Designed as a specialization within the BAS degree plan, students complete 43 hours in general education requirements. Due to the nature of the degree, a great deal of flexibility is built into the program. Students are only required to take six psychology and sociology courses in their HS major. The remaining hours are funneled into electives, which learners may use to build a curriculum that best suits their interests, their future career, and academic goals. Even the 12 hours of experiential professional development can be tailored to fit an individual student’s distinct needs. WBU’s online human services degree program features a flexible transfer policy and students are able to earn up to 12 credit hours for approved work experience, with additional credit possible for certificate and other specialized training.

Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a comprehensive evangelical Christian institution committed to providing excellent liberal arts and professional education for students of all backgrounds. Among the school’s academic offerings is a bachelor of science in human services program grounded in Biblical notions of advocacy. Designed as a completion track, applicants are required to have earned at least 60 hours of transferable credit from an approved school before formally enrolling in the this online human services degree program. Required program curriculum totals 45 credit hours: 30 in core classes and 15 in guided electives. Students take courses in topics like minority group relations, addictions counseling skills, crisis intervention, and systems of social change. The degree experience culminates with a capstone that tasks learners to use the knowledge and skills they’ve learned to analyze and create programs in social services organizations, thus preparing them for an entry-level position upon graduation or continued education at the graduate level.

Established in 1865 through the collaboration of Baptist missionaries and leaders of the Ottawa Indian tribe, Ottawa University has grown from a small school to a comprehensive institution of higher education. Ottawa offers a number of academic programs through its four schools, including a bachelor of arts in human services accessible to distance learners. Designed to introduce students to the policies and programs that aid varied populations and communities, students in this human services degree online program gain skills in program implementation, counseling, client interview, case intervention, and more. Major coursework includes topics in psychology of abnormal behavior, ethics in human services, and ethnic relations and multiculturalism. Students take two courses that train them in the specific skills and techniques necessary for work in the human services field (which includes opportunities for direct practice in a professional setting). The affordable tuition rate for online students is $499 per credit hour and a variety of financial aid is available, including institutional scholarships and specific aid for military personnel and their spouses.

Located in Concord, New Hampshire, Granite State University was founded in 1972 with the goal of providing educational opportunities for all students, regardless of age, income, or location. Today GSU offers a number of academic programs for distance learners, including a bachelor of science in human services that trains students to improve the quality of life of those in need through counseling and facilitating access to aid and assistance. The curriculum totals 120 credit hours, 45 of which are completed in major requirements where students take courses in topics that range from conducting critical inquiry and research methods to child abuse intervention and social stratification and inequality. General education and open elective hours are also part of the online human services degree plan, but because students are only required to take a minimum of 30 credit hours at GSU, many of these hours can be fulfilled by transfer work. Students may also gain credit hours toward their degree by demonstrating college-level expertise gained from military training or work and volunteer experience.

Quincy University, located in its eponymous Illinois city, welcomed its first students on February 6, 1860. Today QU offers 40 undergraduate programs, including a human services degree online. Rooted in Franciscan philosophy, this bachelor of science program trains students for entry into the rapidly growing field of professionals dedicated to helping underserved and at-risk members of the community. Coursework totals 131 credit hours and curriculum is divided into general education, required major, and required support courses. Topics for major courses include counseling theory, group dynamics, and substance abuse assessment and intervention. Students are also asked to complete at least one practicum course their senior year, which integrates theoretical knowledge and practical skill application. QU boasts an affordable online tuition rate of $555 per credit hour and students will find a variety of financial assistance, including a number of awards for academic achievement and one specifically designated for transfer students.

Founded in 1873 and affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, Shorter University is dedicated to providing all students the education they need to be professionals, leaders, and global citizens. Shorter is located in Rome, Georgia, and offers six bachelor’s programs for distance learners, including an online human services degree. Designed to prepare students for careers helping at-risk populations in settings like clinics, social services organizations, and government agencies, this bachelor of science program totals 120 hours, which are divided into three categories: common core (or general education), major requirements, and electives/concentrations. In the major, students take classes that enable them to understand human developmental processes, to assess behavioral challenges, and to connect individuals with the aid they need. Students choose from three minors — criminal justice, sport management, and general business — in order to further personalize their degree to what they want to pursue after graduation, be it work in the field of further schooling. Shorter boasts an affordable tuition rate for online students at $375 per credit hour and financial assistance is available, including unique awards for Georgia residents.

Columbia College was founded in 1851 as a Christian school for women in Missouri, enrolling 150 students in its first class. Today Columbia welcomes students of all backgrounds and offers a number of undergraduate academic programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. Students currently working in the field or otherwise have considerable work experience will find this program particularly suited to their needs. The program is designed to prepare learners for advancement in their career in the helping professions by developing essential skills in areas such as management, at-risk intervention, and client systems management. Columbia’s human services degree online program totals 120 hours, 45 of which are major requirements satisfied by course topics like working with families, American social policy, and minority cultures and relations. Students also have a number of elective hours they can use to further develop their major towards a specialization area or to pursue a related minor. At $290 ($250 for military students), Columbia charges a cheap tuition rate while making a variety of institutional aid available.

Located in the city of Standish, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine was founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy as a school for women, dedicated to Roman Catholic service and a liberal arts education. Today SJC welcomes students of all identities, and offers a number of academic programs, including an online human services degree. Learners pursue a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in human services. This program provides a strong foundation in the social sciences and prepares students for a career helping others. The curriculum totals 128 credits, but the nature of the interdisciplinary program is flexible, enabling students to craft a degree that best suits their passions and future goals. Though only one minor is required to graduate, students may pair their study in human services with another approved area, like criminal justice, health administration, and senior living leadership. With a generous transfer policy (only 25% of courses need to be taken at SJC), students with substantial prior college credit can earn their degree in less than two years.

Judson University, located in Elgin, Illinois, was founded in 1913 as a seminary. Today the school enrolls over 1,250 students annually and offers a variety of academic programs. Among the degrees offered in Judson’s catalog is a bachelor of arts in human services that prepares students to improve the lives of individuals and families in diverse environments and communities. Major requirements total 46 hours and include courses in social welfare policy, not-for-profit management, and advocacy and social justice. With the help of knowledgeable and connected faculty, students pursue internships in field agencies allows them to gain hands-on knowledge and experience through practice. Students also complete an integrated learning capstone project during the last year of their degree that is designed to integrate the knowledge and skills they’ve developed, from assessing at-risk situations and conducting appropriate interventions to identifying resources and advocating for vulnerable populations. With an affordable tuition rate of $520 per credit hour and access to numerous sources of financial aid, students of any economic background can pursue an online human services degree at Judson.

Bluefield College traces its history back to 1919 when the Baptist General Association of Virginia identified a need for a college in the southwestern area of the state. Today, Bluefield is a Christian institution that offers 22 undergraduate academic programs, including an online human services degree. With an emphasis on collaborative partnerships, evidence-based assessment and practice, and multicultural ethical considerations, Bluefield’s HS program prepares students for a career in a variety of social services environments, from hospitals and elder care organizations to government agencies and international aid organizations, or further education at the graduate level. Students take courses in topics like theories of personality, case management, and family dynamics for the human service professional. The major curriculum consists of 36 credits taken over three semesters, each spanning 16 weeks. With the appropriate amount of prior college credit in general education and open elective courses, students can earn their degree in less than two years. Bluefield offers a notably cheap tuition rate for online students ($369 per credit hour).

Located in Banner Elk, North Carolina, Lees-McRae College enrolled its first small class in 1900. Today LMC offers a number of academic programs through its four schools, including a bachelor of applied arts and sciences in human services that prepares graduates for work in the helping professions as a case manager in a rehabilitation facility or as an advocate for vulnerable children, among other careers. The curriculum for this online human services degree consists of 63 credit hours that can be completed in a little over two years if a student transfers credit from an associate’s degree or other prior college work. By taking major courses in such topics as navigating relationships, ageism, and social barriers and public policy, students gain the skills to improve the accessibility and and quality of service delivery systems while also coordinating and holding accountable the professionals and agencies that oversee these systems. Students are required to complete an internship or field work experience and present a senior research project that demonstrates their knowledge and skill on a pertinent topic in the field.

Southern New Hampshire University, located in Manchester, was founded in 1932 and enrolls over 75,000 online students annually, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the United States. SNHU offers a number of distance learning opportunities, including a bachelor of arts in human services that trains students to effectively assess need, plan and implement an intervention strategy, and analyze outcomes. Like many other human services degree online programs, the program's curriculum totals 120 with a breakdown in three categories: general education, major requirement, and free electives. In addition to core classes in topics like abnormal psychology, case management, and social science research methods, students also choose a concentration area among the three choices of substance abuse, gerontology, and child and family services. For example, students in the gerontology attend additional courses in the epidemiology of aging and related politics and policies. The program's affordable tuition rate for online students tallies to $320 per credit hour and $225 for active military personnel and their spouses.

Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Iowa Wesleyan University was founded in 1842 as an institution of higher education and job training for women. Today IWU welcomes all students and offers a number of academic opportunities, including a human services degree online program. An interdisciplinary pathway that combines the three fields of criminal justice, psychology, and sociology into a degree designed for those who want to enter or advance in a helping profession. At its core, this program enables students to effectively identify human problems and implement solutions to them. The curriculum totals 120 credit hours and learners fulfill major course requirements in topics like law enforcement, social problems, and race and ethnicity. Students also complete an internship experience and train in field-specific research methods to prepare for work after graduation or further education at a master’s or doctorate level. The affordable tuition is priced based on enrollment status and over 95% of the student body receives financial aid (including institutional scholarships).

Located in Springfield, Missouri, Drury University was established in 1873 and today enrolls over 5,000 annually. Drury offers an online human services degree program through the College of Continuing Professional Studies (CCPS). Designed for learners interested in careers serving clients in public outreach organizations, this program combines psychology and sociology courses in topics like social work, family therapy, and topics in gerontology. Students complete 36 credits in their major and have the option to pursue a leadership concentration, which adds five more courses to their human services curriculum and prepares graduates for management positions in the field by building organizational development and conflict resolution skills. Remaining coursework is completed in general education and open elective courses. Students with prior college work may transfer those credits in toward degree completion. Drury offers courses at a cheap tuition rate of $299 per credit hour and makes a number financial aid options available, including specific awards for students in a CCPS degree program.