Health and Human Services
Online Programs

Yes. All four of Herzing University’s health and human services programs—the diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree and Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership—are offered 100% online. 

Classes are available during the day and evening to accommodate busy schedules, and Herzing offers rolling admissions with no application deadlines, so you can start when you’re ready.

A health and human services degree from Herzing University can qualify you for a range of careers in social service and community health organizations, nonprofits, government agencies and healthcare settings. The specific roles available to you depend on the degree level you earn.

With a diploma or associate degree, you can pursue entry-level positions such as community health worker, behavioral health technician, case work aide, prevention coordinator, volunteer coordinator or family service assistant. 

With a bachelor’s degree, you can move into management-track and supervisory roles such as child welfare services director, clinical services director, adoption services manager, vocational rehabilitation administrator or transitional care director.

The time it takes to earn your HHS degree depends on your prior college education and the program you choose. Herzing University offers four entry points into health and human services:

• Diploma in Health and Human Services: 8 months
• Associate of Science in Health and Human Services: 16 months
• Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services: 32 months
• Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership: 12 months

All program length estimates are based on full-time enrollment. Some programs include transfer credit opportunities. If your transfer credit is approved, this can reduce the time it takes to earn your degree.

The core difference is this: a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a professional degree that specifically prepares students for generalist social work practice with individuals and families, while a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services is an interdisciplinary degree that focuses on case management, client advocacy, program coordination and organizational leadership across a variety of community settings.

At Herzing University, the health and human services curriculum includes nonprofit organization management, grant writing and fundraising, program planning and development, and volunteer and community development. The social work curriculum focuses on counseling and communication skills, case management and crisis intervention, and child welfare services. Both fields overlap in their commitment to improving social outcomes, and pursuing one now does not prevent you from advancing in the other later. Learn more about human services vs. social work here.

Tuition for Herzing University’s health and human services programs varies by degree level. Financial aid options including scholarships, grants, military benefits and loan programs are available to help make your education more affordable. 

For a personalized estimate of your costs, use the Net Price Calculator, or visit the Tuition and Financial Aid page for complete details on funding options.

Herzing University’s Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership designed to prepare graduates for leadership, management and executive roles in social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, government programs and healthcare settings.

The curriculum focuses on organizational leadership, policy analysis, advanced program development and strategic management of human services organizations. Graduates are positioned for roles such as social and community service manager, program director, executive director of a nonprofit organization or policy analyst. 

Human services and psychology are closely related but serve different purposes. Psychology focuses on understanding individual human behavior and mental processes, building an interpersonal skillset that transfers across many professions. Human services focuses on the leadership and management of social service agencies designed to address community-level social problems. Our HHS programs cover skills for designing, delivering and coordinating services for populations in need.

At Herzing University, the HHS curriculum covers grant writing, nonprofit management, volunteer coordination and program development, while the psychology curriculum focuses on research methods, cognitive development and individual assessment. Both fields are close neighbors in behavioral health, and pursuing one now does not prevent you from advancing in the other later.

Yes. A health and human services (HHS) degree from Herzing University is worth it for students who want to build a career making a measurable difference in their communities. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job openings for both social and human service assistants and social and community service managers will grow 6% from 2024-2034, faster than the national average across all U.S. occupations. Depending on your degree level and role, salaries in this field range from an average of $47,090 per year for social and human service assistants to $86,100 per year for social and community service managers.*

Earning a bachelor’s degree in HHS at Herzing also fulfills the educational requirement to become a Human Services–Board Certified Practitioner (HS–BCP) from the Center for Credentialing and Education. The HS–BCP is an industry credential recognized by employers. Beyond career preparation, Herzing provides lifelong career coaching and personalized student support services to help you succeed long after graduation.

The Human Services–Board Certified Practitioner (HS–BCP) is a professional third-party credential that demonstrates competency in the human services field. It is not a license, nor is it a requirement for work, though some employers may prefer candidates who have earned it. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services from Herzing University fulfills the educational requirement for HS-BCP eligibility.

In addition to a qualifying bachelor’s degree, candidates must complete 350 hours of postgraduate work experience in human services. The HS-BCP is administered by the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). See the full HS-BCP eligibility requirements here.

Yes. Herzing University accepts approved transfer credit from prior college coursework for its health and human services programs. The eligible amount varies by program. Approval is subject to review, and will depend on your previous institution and the courses you completed. 

Transferring credit can significantly shorten the time it takes to earn your degree and reduce your overall tuition costs. To find out how your prior coursework may apply, contact Herzing’s admissions team for a credit evaluation.

The Diploma in Health and Human Services at Herzing University is an eight-month, 24-credit program that provides foundational knowledge for entry-level roles such as community health worker or community health program coordinator. It is designed as a fast pathway into the workforce for students who want to begin working in human services quickly.

The associate and bachelor’s degree programs offer progressively deeper study, with more credits in areas like case management, grant writing, nonprofit leadership and program development. These degrees qualify you for higher-level roles and stronger earning potential. Importantly, credits earned in the diploma program can potentially transfer into Herzing’s associate or bachelor’s degree programs, making the diploma a smart starting point if you plan to continue your education over time.

A Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership is the highest HHS degree offered at Herzing University. This 12-month online program prepares graduates for leadership and management roles in social service agencies, nonprofit organizations and community health programs. 

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in HHS can also explore other graduate pathways, including the option to earn dual credit toward a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Business Administration (MBA), or pursue a graduate program in healthcare administration.

Yes. Herzing University’s HHS curriculum covers key psychology concepts including behavioral health theory, addictions and psychosocial assessment. Psychology is an essential component of effective human services delivery. 

However, human services programs emphasize applying these concepts at the community and organizational level — through case management, program coordination and client advocacy — rather than focusing on individual clinical assessment. Students who want to focus on psychological theory and individual behavior may want to consider Herzing’s standalone Bachelor of Science in Psychology.