The range of jobs you can potentially apply for with an associate degree in health and human services can make this number difficult to identify.

However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides figures for the occupational grouping Social and Human Service Assistants, containing some of the most common types of professions in human services you can qualify for with an associate degree education.

According to the BLS, Social and Human Service Assistants earn an average annual salary of $47,090 per year ($22.64 per hour).* Pay can vary based on your education, experience level, and state of employment.

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.

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 multiple 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
• Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership: 12 months

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

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.

A BSW is a professional degree specifically preparing students for generalist social work practice, while a human services bachelor’s degree is an interdisciplinary degree focusing on case management, client advocacy, and program coordination in a variety of settings.

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 Bachelor of Social Work curriculum zooms in on social services primarily for individuals and families, including counseling and communication skills, case management and crisis intervention, child welfare services and practice, and more.

The highest degree level we offer in health and human services is a master's degree (Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership).

If you are interested in an undergraduate degree and want to advance your education to the master’s degree level in the future, we have many additional 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.

The range of jobs you can potentially apply for with a bachelor’s in health and human services can make this number difficult to identify.

However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides figures for the occupational grouping Social and Community Service Managers, containing some of the most common types of professions in human services you can qualify for with a bachelor’s degree.

According to the BLS, Social and Community Services Managers earn an average annual salary of $86,100 per year ($41.39 per hour).* Pay can vary based on your education, experience level, and state of employment.

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 bachelor’s degree in psychology is worth it!

You can develop skills relevant to all sorts of different types of jobs and pave the way for a unique career path tailored to your strengths and preferences.

To become a psychologist, such as a clinical, counseling, school, or developmental psychologist, you’ll need to advance your education to the master’s or doctoral level.

Specific degree requirements can vary by specialty, licensing laws in your state, and certification requirements.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology can be a good steppingstone towards the longer educational pathway to becoming a licensed psychologist.