PROS
Explore concentrations in Child & Family Services – Gerontology – or Substance Abuse A culminating capstone course integrates all your studies into a unified skillset A no-commitment application can be completed in minutes free of charge More than 93% of online students recommend SNHU The online Brightspace learning platform comes with 24/7 support services Instructors have decades of experience in real-world human servicesCONS
Some students report in forums that Chromebook is not fully supported for online studies Self-paced learning requires significant self-discipline
PROS
Multiple paths to specialized areas of professional counseling with diverse certification and licensing tracks in everything from addictions to MFT MS in Addiction Counseling approved for NASAC accreditation Commitment to making higher education accessible with affordable tuition rates No application fees and supportive counselors to assist in the application process Transfer-friendly school with specialists available to plan credit transfers and more relaxed GPA requirement for transfer students SAT and ACT scores not required with 3.0 or higher GPACONS
GPA is a significant consideration for standard admissions with a 3.0 minimum expected for undergrads - 2.8 for grad students - and 3.4 expected for doctoral students Some students may prefer a school with a secular rather than faith-based worldview
PROS
Offers a global perspective on human and social services delivery Graduate-level courses available as part of the BS program can be applied to the MS in Human Services Multiple concentrations available at every degree level Streamlined application process requires no standardized test scores or fees The Believe & Achieve Scholarship reimburses tuition on the basis of academic progress State-of-the-art simulation technology provides immersive learning experiencesCONS
The program does not incorporate fieldwork opportunities GPA is a significant factor in graduate admissions with a 3.0 minimum required on any previous graduate courses
PROS
Learn from a respected leader in the field of distance learning 8-week class formats allow you to more easily fit studies around work and other obligations The university has not increased tuition rates in 9 years offering extraordinary value and stability Program can be completed in as little as one year Offers 14 different specialization options No entrance exams requiredCONS
Some students may prefer that discussions of sociological issues aren’t framed in a Christian worldview 8-week course format may be too fast-paced for some students
PROS
An in-field capstone opportunity helps to seal your learning experience Test out of certain courses by taking self-directed assessments Self-reflection and development strategies assist you both personally and professionally When applying you will get an estimate of how many of your transfer credits will be accepted in an average of just one business day Programs offer practical preparation with a career-focused curriculumCONS
Bachelor’s program is intended as a completion degree for those already holding an AA or AS Self-assessment tests cost $149 each Not designed to meet requirements for state counseling or social work licensure
PROS
Pick up 960 hours of field experience through the required practicum at two different internship sites The National Science Foundation ranks ASU #11 in the country for social work research Accomplished faculty members include fellows of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the American Psychological Association Choose between synchronous and asynchronous course access to best fit your schedule and learning style Dedicated Field Education Office works with you to find nearby internship sitesCONS
As a generalist program additional courses may be required for clinical licensure in some states Concentrations available through ASU campus-based MSW are not offered through the online version
PROS
All online students offered in-state tuition regardless of residency status Advanced and regular standing options available Seven possible specialization certificates and three focus areas available to tailor your studies Field education placements available at more than 1200 sites nationwide Highest pass rate on the social work license exam in the state and one of the highest in the nation World-class faculty offer inspiration and guidance along with high-quality courseworkCONS
Allows transfer credits toward no more than 25% of program courses Application requires at least two letters of recommendation with one academic reference if you graduated in the past five yearsThe Questions Most Frequently Asked About Online Human Services Degree and Certificate Programs
With so many different degree paths available in the human services world, you have to be pretty certain about the direction you’re heading before making a selection. It’s a process that comes with a few questions. We’re close enough to the heart of the human services world to have heard them asked many times, and we have the answers that will clear it all up.
What Level of Human Services Degree or Certificate Do I Need to Get Into the Field?
The right human services degree or certificate for you is based entirely on where you’re heading with your career and the education you already have.
Human Services Certificate and Associate Degree Programs
There’s a low barrier to entry for many important entry-level roles in human services. Some can put you out into the community doing outreach and direct service work face-to-face with people. Others put you in the offices of private nonprofit organizations and state or municipal social services agencies handling the tasks that support grant writers and administers working to keep the whole thing funded and running.
With a high school diploma or GED behind you, in just a year or two you can earn an undergraduate certificate or associate in human services that will prepare you for entry-level work. At the same time, you will be laying the foundation for a bachelor’s degree if you choose to earn one later on. And if you already have an associate degree in some other area, a human services certificate can be stacked on top to give you field-specific knowledge.
In many states, an associate degree related to substance use disorder counseling or a certificate on top of the associate degree you already have is all you need to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor. But client-facing roles in most areas of counseling will require a more advanced degree.
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Counseling or Administration
A bachelor’s degree is the ticket to entry for jobs where you’re no longer in a support role. Instead, you’ll be the one who is getting support. It’s the best place to start to create a real foundation for a full career in human services, and for an advanced degree you may decide to earn later on. It gives you a powerful set of skills that includes an enriching general education that will help you better understand the world around you, along with a lot of options to progress in your career and education.
You want to get a chance to lead outreach programs or get some exposure to real community advocacy work that involves petitioning for social program funding, then a bachelor’s is what you’re after. Want to support people one-on-one with vocational counseling or work as a disability specialist to ensure low-income veterans and other disabled clients have the accommodations they need, a bachelor’s in human services counseling will get you there.
Master’s in Human Services Counseling or Administration
A master’s in human services counseling or administration is the ultimate destination for many who start off with undergrad degrees in the field, and for many others with bachelor’s degrees in entirely different fields who come to human services for a career change later in life.
The person at the executive level of nonprofits or public healthcare providers doing the grant writing required to secure state funding and contracts, directing how those funds are spent through the organization for optimal outcomes, and ultimately accountable to the public and any private funding sources certainly has a Master of Science in Human Services or similar degree. The person drafting proposals and presenting them before state legislature to see to it critical community resources are there for another year, or to push for entirely new programs in marginalized communities holds a master’s degree in human services or related degree. And the person working face-to-face with individuals and families, leading one-on-one and group counseling sessions independently, supervising and coaching newer counselors, and heading up efforts in trauma-informed care and crisis response is definitely a master’s degree holder.
Is a BA in Human Services The Best Foundation for All Career Paths in the Field?
A bachelor’s degree in human services online is an excellent generalist degree that can give you the foundational knowledge and skills for many social services roles. It could very well be the only degree you ever need for an amazing career in human services counseling or administration.
It’s also diverse and flexible enough to serve as a foundation for master’s programs in other areas, from psychology to social work to public health to counseling to health administration. Giving yourself those kinds of options is one of the key benefits to a bachelor’s degree in human services.
But for certain specific advanced human services roles where licensing comes into play, it’s wise to be looking at role-specific degrees. This is particularly true if your plan is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), which require you to ultimately earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) – no exceptions. Most MSW programs designed to prepare LCSWs and LMSWs offer advanced-standing options for students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) specifically, cutting a full year off the time it takes to graduate with an MSW. So, if you know for sure right now that you want to go the social route, a BSW is clearly the better choice. But if you start out with a bachelor’s in human services and decide later that you want to become a licensed social worker, you won’t have any problems. You will be more than welcome into a traditional two-year MSW program.
Can a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Offer a Shortcut to a Master of Science in Human Services?
Yes, there are many BA and Bachelor of Science in Human Services programs that can offer you a shortcut toward preparing for a full human services master’s degree. At some schools, including some of those on this list, you will be allowed to take graduate level courses during your human services bachelor’s program that will count toward a master’s at the same university. This effectively creates an accelerated pathway, saving you time and money.
Is a Master’s in Human Services Counseling Enough To Become a Licensed Counselor?
Advanced counseling and therapy work almost always requires a master’s degree and state-issued license. This does not typically apply to the type of general and vocational counseling that you would perform in a traditional human services role. That can be done even with a bachelor’s degree, and no state license is required.
The advanced counseling credentials offered in most states, such as the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) are issued on a state-by-state basis. A master’s in human services counseling may meet the requirements in one state, but not another. In some cases, it may meet the general degree standard, but still require additional counseling courses in the field that could be completed through a postgraduate certificate program.
The general rule, though, is that if you are aiming for an advanced, licensed counseling or therapy role, a master’s degree specifically in that field is your best bet. For licensure, most states require counseling degrees to be accredited by one of the two main accrediting bodies, either CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) or MPCAC (Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council). Since most human services master’s degrees are not designed to prepare counselors for licensed roles, the curriculum is not built to check the boxes for this type of accreditation.
Will a Master of Science in Human Services Online Have a Thesis or Capstone Requirement?
The master’s thesis is the traditional culminating exercise of any kind of master’s program, whether in human services or any other field. There is no exception for online human services master’s degrees; they’re structured very much the same as conventional campus-based programs.
Many universities offering master’s programs in hands-on fields, including human services, are shifting to offer students the option of either completing a thesis, or instead participating in a capstone project. A capstone tends to be a more practical exercise, making it well-suited to hands-on fields, while a thesis is about presenting an original theory or idea.
Your human services master’s degree capstone project will involve bringing what you learned to bear on real-world issues in the field, challenging you to develop your own solutions. This might be a new way of ensuring dignity for the unhoused or a new harm reduction plan for those struggling with fentanyl addiction. They sky’s the limit.
While there is still some scholarly writing involved, capstones tend to culminate in a presentation to faculty and classmates.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Human Services Degree?
Naturally, a doctorate in human services is the highest academic tier you can reach in the field. It typically involves anywhere from three to six years of intensive study, research, and theoretical development in cutting-edge ideas in the field. You will wrap up the program with an original dissertation, a scholarly paper in which you outline your own ideas and evidence as it relates to a specific societal problem. It’s a way to make your mark, contribute something lasting to the body of research in the field, a perhaps even lay the first stones for a new path forward in assisting individuals and communities.
A PhD in Human Services is typically seen as preparation for teaching social services skills and theory at the university level or engaging in the highest levels of social and human services research and policy development.
How Does Social Work Fit Under the Broader Umbrella of Human Services?
Social work may be a niche within the larger family of human services, but in some ways it’s a field all its own. It’s the human services role that comes with the most authority and opportunity to effect change, both in the lives of the individuals and families they serve and at the community and societal level through advocacy and policy work.
Social workers are licensed as clinical counselors under the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credential, depending on the state. In non-clinical roles, it’s the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential, or Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in some states.
Each state has a specific board responsible for issuing those licenses, but all adhere to the same general licensing standards – a Master of Social Work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a year or two of post-graduate practical experience under supervision, and a passing score on the Advanced Generalist or Clinical Exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
The higher level of authority they have generally comes in clinical practice, where LCSWs and LICSWs perform the same level of clinical assessments, psychotherapy, and addiction treatment as professional counselors and therapists. They also handle complicated casework, keeping tabs on clients and checking in as they move through the system, helping them access services as varied as housing assistance and addiction treatment. Master’s-prepared licensed social workers also have more latitude and opportunity to intervene in situations that may be dangerous for children and the elderly during welfare checks. And naturally, they’re uniquely qualified to perform the same kind of vocational counseling and coaching as traditional human services professionals. In a lot of ways, social work is the ultimate human services profession.
In a few states, a limited-authority Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) credential is available to candidates with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
Is an Online Program Really A Good Idea to Prepare for Face-to-Face Human Services Roles?
Like most other professions, the world of human services leans into online education for the flexibility and convenience it offers. But there’s more to it than that. In a field that’s dedicated to leveling the playing field among socioeconomic groups, online education is a way to ensure that students on every rung of the ladder have access to a high-quality education that can help them move forward in life, even while working and raising families.
With a social services degree online, you’ll be awarded a diploma that is every bit the equal of what you would get from a traditional campus-based program. The curriculum and opportunities for discussion and networking with peers is exactly the same, and you’ll be working with the same instructors who lead in-person classes.
You might be surprised to find that experiential training in online programs mirrors what you would get in a traditional program too. You might also be surprised to learn that a significant amount of human services work is being conducted remotely today. From calls to outside agencies and providers to research resource availability for clients to offering Zoom counseling sessions, many basic aspects of human services in practice functions in a way that is similar to what you would experience in online degree programs.
And when it comes to licensing qualifications in social work, there is no difference between CSWE-accredited traditional and online MSW programs. You’ll find the same curriculum, practicum opportunities, and exam preparation as you would with any traditional MSW.