There is some overlap when it comes to careers in human services and social work. In both career fields you’ll be helping individuals and/or communities solve problems and find better social outcomes. Degree programs typically cover introductory behavioral health and global topics relevant to both career pathways.

However, jobs in human services typically focus on the health of communities at large, while social workers tend to place more focus on helping individuals and their families. Human service workers apply interdisciplinary skills to solve many types of problems in communities, while social workers help those in need to secure access to important social resources.

For instance, our Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services curriculum includes study of nonprofit organization management, grant writing and fundraising, program planning and development, and volunteer, board, and community development.

On the social work side, our Master of Social Work curriculum zooms in on social services primarily for individuals and families, including clinical social work theory and practice, social policy and services, clinical social work interventions, and more.

The highest degree level we offer in health and human services is the undergraduate bachelor’s degree program.

If you want to advance your education to the master’s degree level in the future, we have many potential pathways you may consider. You can potentially earn dual credit towards a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Business Administration (MBA)—or choose to pursue more healthcare-focused options in healthcare administration or nursing.

Yes, but it may be more appropriate to say psychology is an important element in the delivery of human services—among other fields.

Psychology represents a discipline that is a crucial component in human services, though a degree in psychology can be applied in jobs outside of the generally accepted category of “human services” jobs.

Psychology focuses on understanding individual human behavior and functioning, emphasizing an interpersonal skillset transferable to many different professions.

Human services focuses on the leadership and management of social service agencies designed to address social problems, emphasizing how to provide services.

In general, the difference is psychology more commonly regards individuals while human services more commonly regards communities. Our psychology and health and human services curriculums reflect this basic difference.

However, both fields are close neighbors in the field of behavioral health. Pursuing one major now does not necessarily mean you cannot advance in the other in the future!

Yes, earning a degree in human services is worth it!

You’ll earn a good educational foundation to pursue jobs making real, impactful change for individuals and their communities. You can become a difference maker, and advancing your education is an important first step towards success in your new career path.

Get your start in human services with a university dedicated to your success. We are your lifelong learning partner devoted to making your rewarding career possible.

How long it takes depends on several factors, including your prior college education and the degree path you choose.

We offer three different entry points into the field of human services:

• Diploma in Health and Human Services: 8 months
• Associate of Science in Health and Human Services: 24 months
• Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services: 36 months

All program length estimates are averages based on full-time enrollment.