Human Services Degree Program

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Services Overview

Interested in this program on campus? Click here to learn more.

If you are passionate about helping people, but deep down, you want to do more, a human services degree online from SMWC, will help you get there. A human services degree earned online will prepare you to take on a meaningful role in the helping professions. Our online degree programs provide the flexibility to lead you to the career of your dreams. Our transfer-friendly, online degree programs provide you with the flexibility to continue your career while working toward your degree. Plus, you’ll graduate with a strong foundation in liberal arts.

In our online Human Services program, you will develop skills for working with individuals, families, groups and communities. Students gain knowledge of human behavior, skills for helping individuals or families and awareness for helping your community respond to human needs. You’ll learn to problem solve by assessing clients’ needs and identifying community–all with the goal of making a difference and serving in the lives of others. Our faculty work hard to make online degrees personalized, as well as ensuring technology efficiency to eliminate barriers while educating students.

With multiple online start dates in January, March, August and October, you can start your degree whenever you’re ready.

Human Services Major Curriculum – College Catalog

FAQs

What is human services?
Human services is all about helping people. This interdisciplinary field has the objective of meeting human needs through an applied knowledge base and commitment to improving the overall quality of life. Human services workers may spend part of the day in an office setting and part in the field or work in a group home or other residential facilities. They may visit clients in their homes or accompany them to appointments. You could work closely with social workers, psychologists, educators and counselors.

What are the benefits of earning an online human services degree?
An online human services degree from SMWC prepares you for a variety of jobs ranging from working in group homes and halfway houses to community and mental health centers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment growth for occupations you can have with a human services degree is projected to increase eight percent from 2023 to 2033. To see the full list of states that this program is offered in click here.

What kind of flexibility does an online program provide?
Our online programs provide plenty of flexibility for those individuals who want to go back to school, but not uproot their whole life. According to a study by Education Dynamics, 80% of online college students are employed. Our transfer-friendly approach will ensure that you can finish your degree, and our 8-week format allows you to set your own pace and study based on your schedule.

What can you do with a degree in human services?
The human services degree prepares you for work under the supervision of a helping professional with a more advanced degree in a variety of entry-level social worker positions in a diverse array of settings, including:

• Group homes and halfway houses
• Community mental health centers
• Hospital psychiatric units

What is the average annual salary of someone with a human services degree?
As you look at starting salaries, keep in mind that the cost of living and opportunities to move with a career or industry sector should also factor into your decision. According to Salary.com, someone with a degree in human services earns an average of $32,986.

What support and resources are provided at SMWC?
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides exceptional, personalized learning resource services to encourage student success. The LRC offers help with a range of academic support services, including a writing center, tutoring, college success courses and more.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is routinely ranked by US News and World Report among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest and the Best Value Schools. Our departments are also routinely ranked for their individual degree programs.
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