The Best Online Doctorate in Human Services Programs

Holland Webb
By
Updated on March 7, 2025

If you want to make a difference in the lives of underserved populations, consider earning an online doctorate in human services. This terminal degree prepares students to take on leadership roles in organizations that serve people in need, such as those who suffer from addiction, poverty, mental illness, or abuse. Earning a doctorate in human services online prepares you to apply specialized skills and research to create effective policies, protocols, and legislation within human services organizations.

In the coming years, growing populations of people requiring medical and mental health services will drive an increase in human services positions. As a result, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the need for social services managers to increase 8% between 2023 and 2033 — more than twice the average rate of growth for all other occupations in the country.

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The Best Online Doctorate in Human Services Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 The Best Online Doctorate in Human Services Programs

Capella University

  • Location-markerMinneapolis, MN
  • 4 year
  • Online

Doctoral students seeking an online program benefit from the doctor in human services program at Capella University. At the private institution, degree-seekers complete a doctorate in a flexible environment. Doctoral students participate in career counseling and benefit from research support.

Learners complete 92 credits of doctoral classes in the human services program. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates develop a dissertation that contributes original research to the field. A human services doctorate leads to job opportunities in research, academia, and leadership.

Doctoral students pay for the program with federal financial aid, fellowships, and scholarships. Prospective applicants can contact the program to learn more about research support, financial aid opportunities, and admission requirements.

Capella University at a Glance:

Online Master's Programs: 76

Online Doctoral Programs: 60

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,767

Accepts Transfer Credits: Accepted

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$14,148
  • Out-of-state$14,148
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$14,767
  • Out-of-state$14,767
  • Retention Rate40%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled37,859
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes
#2 The Best Online Doctorate in Human Services Programs

University of Arizona Global Campus

  • Location-markerChandler, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

The online Ph.D. in human services program at the University of Arizona Global Campus ranks among the best in the field. The private university helps degree-seekers complete a doctorate in a flexible format. Doctoral students participate in career advising and gain research skills.

During the online human services program, learners take doctoral courses to earn their degree. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertation. With a doctorate in human services, graduates pursue academic, research, and industry roles.

Online doctoral students can pay for their degree with scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid. Prospective applicants can contact the program to learn more about financial aid opportunities and the admission process.

University of Arizona Global Campus at a Glance:

Online Master's Programs: 26

Online Doctoral Programs: 5

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $12,060

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,640
  • Out-of-state$11,640
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,060
  • Out-of-state$12,060
  • Retention Rate24%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled32,620
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes
#3 The Best Online Doctorate in Human Services Programs

Walden University

  • Location-markerMinneapolis, MN
  • 4 year
  • Online

The online Ph.D. in human services program at Walden University ranks among the best in the field. The private university offers flexible enrollment options for degree-seekers. Doctoral students receive research support throughout the program.

In the online human services program, learners complete doctoral-level coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertation. Graduates with a human services doctorate pursue roles in research, academia, and leadership.

Online doctoral students can pay for their degree with scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid. Contact the human services program for more information about financial aid and the admission process.

Walden University at a Glance:

Online Master's Programs: 39

Online Doctoral Programs: 20

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $12,039

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,428
  • Out-of-state$10,428
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,039
  • Out-of-state$12,039
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled48,420
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes

Best Online Doctorate

Human Services

2023


The Best Schools

Online Doctorate in Human Services Programs Ranking Guidelines

We selected these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Rankings Methodology

Choosing an Online Human Services Program

If you plan to earn your doctorate in human services online, make sure to research each program’s offerings to find a program that serves your academic interests and career goals. Although programs may focus on similar learning outcomes, each boasts unique course offerings and program formats. Explore what specializations a program offers. Some human services programs, for instance, offer concentrations in nonprofit management, gerontology, mental health, criminal justice, military families, or social policy analysis. Decide whether a program’s course offerings meet your career aspirations.

Most human services doctorate programs offer a selection of foundational courses related to management, ethics and decision-making, and research methods, providing a blend of courses that explore human services and skills for effective organizational leadership. Beyond these foundational courses, programs may differ in what classes they offer and what they require of students. Some programs require a dissertation while others require workshops or professional residencies. Students looking to earn their human services doctoral degree online should consider these factors when deciding on a program that fits their schedule. They should also look into how long a program takes. Some schools offer accelerated tracks that help students earn their doctorate faster.

What Else Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate in Human Services Program?

This section explores the concentrations and course offerings typically found in online doctorate programs in human services. Although students can anticipate similar foundational course offerings, every program offers a unique curriculum.

Concentrations Offered for an Online Doctoral Degree in Human Services

  • Mental Health Administration:
    In this concentration, students learn to increase the efficiency of mental health services. They learn to serve as leaders in mental health organizations, applying research to create effective politics and change.
  • Mental Health Administration:
    In this concentration, students learn to increase the efficiency of mental health services. They learn to serve as leaders in mental health organizations, applying research to create effective politics and change.
  • Nonprofit Management:
    In this concentration, students learn to manage nonprofit organizations that specialize in human services, exploring topics like diversity, governance, finances, ethics, and policy implementation. They learn how to address changes within nonprofits and achieve greater performance.
  • Nonprofit Management:
    In this concentration, students learn to manage nonprofit organizations that specialize in human services, exploring topics like diversity, governance, finances, ethics, and policy implementation. They learn how to address changes within nonprofits and achieve greater performance.
  • Gerontology:
    In this course, students focus on human services related to the elderly. Students learn about health issues related to aging, exploring topics like home care and daily assistance. Students also learn about the psychology of aging and the societal and cultural influences of the aging process.
  • Gerontology:
    In this course, students focus on human services related to the elderly. Students learn about health issues related to aging, exploring topics like home care and daily assistance. Students also learn about the psychology of aging and the societal and cultural influences of the aging process.

Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Human Services

  • History and Systems of Human Services:
    In this course, students explore the historical context of human services, learning about the field’s origins and the ideas that shaped its evolution. They chart how political and societal influences affect the nature and delivery of human services.
  • Program Review and Evaluation:
    This course teaches students to review and assess the operations of a human services organization. Students learn how to complete and analyze a needs assessment survey and modify an organization that requires improvement.
  • Ethics and Decision Making in Human Services:
    This course explores common ethical issues that arise in operations relating to human services. Students also learn to approach ethical decision-making.
  • Human Service Administration and Organizational Operations:
    In this course, students learn about the organizational and leadership aspects of running a human services organization. They learn practical skills like how to recruit and retain volunteers, fundraise, market, and develop and implement policy changes.
  • Research Design and Methods — Qualitative and Quantitative:
    Critical to any doctoral program, this course teaches students how to design research ideas and apply relevant research designs to their own projects. Students study and critique articles, learn about data collection, and discuss ethics in research.

Online Doctorate in Human Services Careers

Those who earn their doctorate in human services enter a variety of fulfilling careers. They can work in mental health administration, nonprofit management, and elder care, finding employment in homeless shelters, rehabilitation clinics, or halfway houses. They can also work primarily with certain populations, such as military families, abused women, or children. Whatever field they enter, their goal remains to improve conditions and services for people in need.

  1. Social and Community Service Manager:
    Social and community service managers supervise and organize programs that serve the community, typically those housed within nonprofit organizations or government agencies. They oversee community service workers, locate funding opportunities, and organize outreach programs, working to improve programs and create more effective operations.
    • Median Annual Salary: $77,030
    • Projected Growth Rate: 8%
  2. Social and Human Services Assistant:
    Social and human services assistants typically help other social service workers support clients and their family members. They may assist social workers or work in rehabilitation clinics, connecting people with other means of support. They coordinate services for clients, such as applying for food stamps, and may help clients navigate activities as simple as eating and bathing.
    • Median Annual Salary: $41,410
    • Projected Growth Rate: 8%
  3. Training and Development Managers:
    Training and development managers work with employees at an organization to increase their overall knowledge, productivity, and effectiveness. They develop and oversee staff training and manage training budgets. They pinpoint an organization’s goals and work with employees and training instructors to achieve these goals.
    • Median Annual Salary: $125,040
    • Projected Growth Rate: 7%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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