The 5 Best Bachelor’s in Human Services Online
Updated January 12, 2022 | BestCollegeReviews.org Staff
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If you're passionate about serving others and are interested in doing so in your professional life, then an online bachelor's in human services may be just the credential you need. These degree options can qualify you for many entry-level positions in the helping professions and can help you jumpstart a career in social work, substance abuse counseling, psychology, child welfare, and more. In this ranking, we discuss our picks for the top 5 bachelor's in human services online programs. If you are interested in further information regarding distance learning, visit our ranking of the top schools online
Rating and Ranking Methodology
Tuition Points:
- Under $25,000—1 point
- Under $20,000—2 points
- Under $15,000—3 points
- Under $10,000—4 points
- Under $5,000—5 points
U.S. News & World Report’s Ranking
- Top 25—6 points
- Top 50—5 points
- Top 100—4 points
- Top 150 –3 points
- Top 200—2 points
- Top 250—1 point
Customization Options
• Format Customizations (e.g. Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, Accelerated, Degree Completion, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option
• Content Customizations (e.g. Concentrations, Specializations, Areas of Emphasis, Dual Degree Options, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option (5-Point Cap)
Wow Factor
• 1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us
Featured Online Schools
Ranking the Best Online Bachelor's in Human Services Programs
To develop this ranking of the best 25 online human services bachelor's programs, we began with 39 schools. To narrow this initial pool to 5, we consulted College Navigator for tuition data and U.S. News and World Report for information about program recognition. We then visited the website for each school to gather more details on what the program offers in terms of scheduling and content. Using this information, we applied the rating and ranking methodology above. Note that in cases where two or more schools received the same number of points, we used tuition to break the tie, awarding the more affordable school the higher ranking.
Dominican University offers a highly versatile online human services BA through its College of Applied Social Sciences. Students enrolled in the program can choose up to two concentrations from options like international studies, disability advocacy, labor relations, sustainability studies, and training and development. Students also have the option of customizing their own concentration. Major courses include Human Services Administration, Social Policy, Statistics for Social Scientists, Behavioral Theory, and Writing in the Social Sciences. The program is offered via an accelerated format and can be completed in just 20 months. Additional accelerated degree options are also available to those online bachelor’s in human services students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in conflict resolution or social work.
The University of Maine-Augusta’s health services bachelor’s online option is a Bachelor of Mental Health and Human Services program with four concentration options: Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation, Addictions Counseling, Child and Family Services, and Mental Health and Human Services Generalist. A capstone internship is also required prior to graduation from the program. Graduates of the program are prepared for the Licensed Social Worker-Conditional (LSX) credential. A large portion of students who earn their online bachelor’s in human services degrees through UMA goes on to study in a master’s program, usually in social work or counseling.
Colorado State University-Global Campus offers one of the top online bachelor’s in human services programs in terms of versatility. The curriculum features over a dozen specialization options, including Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, Criminology, and Human Resources and Organizational Development, for instance. Core courses include Community Development, Human Services Administration, Intervention Methods in Human Services, Grant Writing, and Evaluation of Research and Theory in Human Services. Positions available for graduates of this human services bachelor’s degree online program include behavioral management aid, child advocate, substance abuse counselor, therapeutic assistant, and social service liaison, for example.
The online BA in human services option from Bethel University is a 48-credit hour degree completion program that can be completed in just 21-24 months. The curriculum for the program is interdisciplinary and emphasizes a Christian worldview. Featured courses include Individual and Family Development Over the Life Cycle, Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships, Professional Practice Issues and Ethics, and Families in Cross-Cultural Perspective. An integrative internship or internship in addictions counseling is also required. Start dates every six weeks make it convenient for students to begin work on their BA in human services online programs.
Western Washington University offers a full-time online bachelor’s human services degree through the Woodring College of Education’s Department of Health and Community Studies. Required courses for the program include Human Services Professionals and Community Systems, Interviewing and Interventions for Human Services, Diversity and Social Justice Dynamics, and Human Services and Management. Students will also choose from elective classes like Survey of Addictions and Dependencies, Program Funding and Grant Writing, and Mental Health: Individuals and Systems. Three different internships are required for this human services bachelor’s online program.
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