Human services professionals include case management aides, correctional treatment specialists, and social service assistants.
In these roles, professionals help clients access community programs and social services. The first step to one of these careers is to earn a human services bachelor's degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a bachelor of human services online meets education requirements for several community and social service jobs, many of which offer strong job growth potential. For example, the BLS projects 17% job growth for social and human service assistants between 2019 and 2029.
#1 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH |
#2 | Shorter University | Rome, GA |
#3 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND |
#4 | Ottawa University-Online | Ottawa, KS |
#5 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI |
#6 | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN |
#7 | Southeastern University | Lakeland, FL |
#8 | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX |
#9 | Troy University | Troy, AL |
#10 | Anderson University | Anderson, SC |
Best Online Bachelor's in Human Services Programs
Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Southern New Hampshire University |
Manchester, NH Apply Now | ||
2 |
Shorter University |
Rome, GA Apply Now | ||
3 |
University of North Dakota |
Grand Forks, ND Apply Now | ||
4 |
Ottawa University-Online |
Ottawa, KS Apply Now | ||
5 |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
Oshkosh, WI Apply Now | ||
6 |
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College |
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN Apply Now | ||
7 |
Southeastern University |
Lakeland, FL Apply Now | ||
8 |
LeTourneau University |
Longview, TX Apply Now | ||
9 |
Troy University |
Troy, AL Apply Now | ||
10 |
Anderson University |
Anderson, SC Apply Now | ||
11 |
Colorado State University-Global Campus |
Aurora, CO Apply Now | ||
12 |
California Baptist University |
Riverside, CA Apply Now | ||
13 |
Western Washington University |
Bellingham, WA Apply Now | ||
14 |
Judson University |
Elgin, IL Apply Now | ||
15 |
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global |
Marion, IN Apply Now | ||
16 |
East Tennessee State University |
Johnson City, TN Apply Now | ||
17 |
Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies |
Elizabethtown, PA Apply Now | ||
18 |
Florida State College at Jacksonville |
Jacksonville, FL Apply Now | ||
19 |
Granite State College |
Concord, NH Apply Now | ||
20 |
Upper Iowa University |
Fayette, IA Apply Now | ||
21 |
Spring Arbor University |
Spring Arbor, MI Apply Now | ||
22 |
University of the Cumberlands |
Williamsburg, KY Apply Now | ||
23 |
National Louis University |
Chicago, IL Apply Now | ||
24 |
Lees-McRae College |
Banner Elk, NC Apply Now | ||
25 |
Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Winona Lake, IN Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
Online Bachelor's in Human Services Programs Ranking Guidelines

We selected the online human services degree programs based on the quality of the program, the types of courses offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school's reputation for effectively providing online degree programs.
What Is a Bachelor's in Human Services Degree?
A Human Services Bachelor's degree online is a degree that teaches individuals to meet the needs of the clients and communities they serve. An online human services degree provides a strong foundation of knowledge in areas such as case management, advocacy, human services administration, minority issues, substance abuse, and family issues. The programs typically blend traditional coursework with internship and/or practicum experiences to give students a balance of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. Some of the programs include specializations.
What Is the Difference Between Human Services Degree and a Social Work Degree?
The difference between human services and social work is that human services professionals work at large-scale settings, while social workers work at small-scale settings. While related (and often working together), human services and social work differ in key ways. Each field helps people, but with different methods and goals. Social workers tend to help on an individual basis, at the “ground level,” meeting clients and addressing their needs. Social workers work directly with clients to implement social programs. They work directly with clients to help them gain access to services that address their specific problems. Also, some social workers serve as counselors.
The difference between human services and social work is that human services professionals work at large-scale settings, while social workers work at small-scale settings.
Human services professionals tend to work on a larger scale, in community-based settings, they often coordinate services and help create programs to serve the needs of a specific population. They often have an administrative role which involves research, planning and supervision. Many human services professionals work in an administrative role to help individuals and communities gain access to basic needs.
Human services professionals working in institutional settings, community or residential care may provide direct services such as organizing an activity or leading a group.
Some human service professionals serve as advocates for people they serve, in public and political realms, influencing policy and funding to make vital resources more available.
Human Services Careers
With a Bachelor's degree in Human Services, individuals can pursue careers in a variety of specialty fields and professional settings in the human services field. Human services professionals work in the public or the private sector in places such as:
- Addiction Care
- Family Services
- Food and Nutrition Agencies
- Health Services
- Immigrant Services
- Legal and Victims Assistance Organizations
- Mental Health Facilities
- Non-profit Organizations
- Private Agencies
- Public Safety and Disaster Relief Organizations
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Residential Care
- Senior Citizen Centers
- Social Advocacy
- State and Federal Justice Systems
- Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
- Women's Shelters
- Youth Development Organizations
- Youth Services
The human services sector basically has two types of jobs: Employees who work directly with clients and employees who provide administrative support for an organization providing human services.
Many human services workers with a bachelor's degree spend a lot of time managing client cases. Some of them also provide clinical support. Additional professional certifications can aid in pursuing specific career paths.
Potential jobs include:
- Adult Day Care Worker
- Agency Volunteer Coordinator
- Case Worker
- Case Manager
- Child Advocate
- Client Advocate
- Community Action Worker
- Community Organizer
- Community Outreach Worker
- Counselor
- Executive Director
- Family Support Worker
- Foster Care Case Manager
- Gerontology Specialist
- Group Home Attendant
- Juvenile Court Liaison
- Mental Health Worker
- Parole or Probation Officer
- Rehabilitation Case Manager
- Substance Abuse Worker
- Wellness Specialist
- Youth Treatment Specialist
Human Services Job Outlook
The job outlook for human services professionals remains high, with a steady need across many fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, community and social service occupations enjoy a job growth outlook of 11% from 2018-2028, much faster than most occupations.
Human Services Professional Organizations
There are several professional organizations for human services professionals, such as the NOHS and the APHSA:
- National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) The NOHS, a membership organization, maintains a commitment to standard of excellence in Human Services, setting ethical guidelines and offering awards and scholarships. Membership includes access to journals and resources published by NOHS, as well as access to conferences and events as well as networking with other human services professionals. NOHS also operates the Human Services Research Institute, advancing research in the field since 1976.
- American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) Initially founded in 1930 during the Great Depression, as the American Public Welfare Association, the APHSA works for better lives for children, adults, and families through research, resources, lobbying, and advocacy. Membership with the APHSA comes with the benefits of access to resource and publications, conventions and networking events, and valuable professional affiliations.