Online Associates Degree in Human Services - Best of 2023

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Human service degrees are all about one central thing: helping individuals improve their lives. Typically, this degree focuses on helping people find the resources and support they need to get a fresh start or simply maintain their lives. You can also use an online or traditional human services degree to jump-start a career as an addiction or substance abuse counselor. Some social workers get their start in general human services careers.

A degree in human services will set the foundation for a rewarding career helping others. Your coursework will set the stage both for fantastic entry-level positions and for a bachelor’s degree if you choose that later. In fact, an associate's from a human services program can prepare you for many paths: psychology, sociology, social service or social work, mental health, substance abuse, etc.

The degree can prepare human services students for work as case managers, counselors, services assistants, social workers, and a range of social and community mental health positions. You might even be able to attain a state license as a social work assistant, though you should check with your academic adviser to learn more about your state’s requirements for human services careers.

Though each human services associate degree program will have unique courses and specialties, you will be steeped in knowledge that you can apply to working with others. As such, you will likely be asked to do a lot of self-reflection during the course of your degree. You will also want to consider internships or other experiential learning courses, especially if you earn most of your credits online.

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PROS

An online or traditional degree in human services has much to recommend it. The skills you will learn will help you land a job helping people through a non-profit or a government agency, but you’ll find that those skills are also applicable in other settings. Thus, your two-year degree is both specific enough to help you get to work immediately in your field, move into continuing education, and a good general background for a variety of other employment, should you decide on a career change or if you're want to explore a move into a leadership position.

The degree also benefits from the fact that it’s relatively quick to complete. After two years, or less with an accelerated online program, earning your diploma, you will be sending resumes to employers/organizations or applications to bachelor's degree programs. This field also lends itself easily to either online study or traditional classrooms, no matter which you are most interested in after finishing high school.

This degree may be enough to allow you to become a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner, which cah help you move your career forward.

CONS

While there are so many positive aspects of a human services associate degree, there are also drawbacks. One chief drawback is that many states won’t allow you to attain any sort of state licensure with only a two-year degree rather than a bachelor's degree. You may also find it difficult to find professional certifications to add to your degree.

On top of that, you will likely need a Bachelor of Arts (or Science) so that you can be promoted. While a two-year degree puts you virtually halfway to a BA, you will still need to rearrange your life for two or more years to finish your courses and move up.

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What are the Best Online Associate Degree in Human Services College Programs?

Purdue University

Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State: $28,794
Net Price: $14,619
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 83%

Total Enrollment: 50,344
Undergrad Students: 37,806
Graduate Students: 12,538
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $54,700
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Brigham Young University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,120
- Out-of-State: $6,120
Net Price: $13,432
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 77%

Total Enrollment: 34,811
Undergrad Students: 31,642
Graduate Students: 3,169
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $43,600
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Indiana Wesleyan University

Tuition
- In-State: $28,960
- Out-of-State: $28,960
Net Price: $22,098
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 71%

Total Enrollment: 2,862
Undergrad Students: 2,461
Graduate Students: 401
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $49,100
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

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Elizabethtown College

Tuition
- In-State: $34,600
- Out-of-State: $34,600
Net Price: $26,534
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 75%

Total Enrollment: 1,933
Undergrad Students: 1,691
Graduate Students: 242
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $43,400
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Tuition
- In-State: $39,986
- Out-of-State: $39,986
Net Price: $30,044
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 68%

Total Enrollment: 1,235
Undergrad Students: 1,066
Graduate Students: 169
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $47,700
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

Bismarck State College

Tuition
- In-State: $4,926
- Out-of-State: $6,930
Net Price: $10,249
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 53%

Total Enrollment: 3,549
Undergrad Students: 3,549
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $42,200
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $5,910
- Out-of-State: $5,910
Net Price: $13,189
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 62%

Total Enrollment: 2,586
Undergrad Students: 2,586
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $38,300
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

Minot State University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,164
- Out-of-State: $8,164
Net Price: $12,935
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 46%

Total Enrollment: 2,836
Undergrad Students: 2,576
Graduate Students: 260
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $40,800
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Monroe College

Tuition
- In-State: $16,686
- Out-of-State: $16,686
Net Price: $12,054
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 57%

Total Enrollment: 7,256
Undergrad Students: 6,445
Graduate Students: 811
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $32,700
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Cornerstone University

Tuition
- In-State: $27,040
- Out-of-State: $27,040
Net Price: $20,780
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 59%

Total Enrollment: 1,930
Undergrad Students: 1,507
Graduate Students: 423
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $36,200
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Stanly Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $2,794
- Out-of-State: $9,245
Net Price: $8,522
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 56%

Total Enrollment: 2,456
Undergrad Students: 2,456
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $27,100
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Brescia University

Tuition
- In-State: $26,950
- Out-of-State: $26,950
Net Price: $13,796
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 49%

Total Enrollment: 841
Undergrad Students: 752
Graduate Students: 89
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $32,700
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Waukesha County Technical College

Tuition
- In-State: $4,652
- Out-of-State: $6,725
Net Price: $9,929
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 44%

Total Enrollment: 7,357
Undergrad Students: 7,357
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $36,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

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Madisonville Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $4,488
- Out-of-State: $15,240
Net Price: $7,837
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 52%

Total Enrollment: 3,239
Undergrad Students: 3,239
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $29,500
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of the Cumberlands

Tuition
- In-State: $9,875
- Out-of-State: $9,875
Net Price: $13,631
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 48%

Total Enrollment: 19,272
Undergrad Students: 4,838
Graduate Students: 14,434
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $34,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

University of Alaska Anchorage

Tuition
- In-State: $8,622
- Out-of-State: $25,228
Net Price: $12,816
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 30%

Total Enrollment: 10,845
Undergrad Students: 10,259
Graduate Students: 586
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $37,400
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Shorter University

Tuition
- In-State: $22,810
- Out-of-State: $22,810
Net Price: $16,438
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 37%

Total Enrollment: 1,460
Undergrad Students: 1,332
Graduate Students: 128
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $36,900
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Piedmont Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $2,551
- Out-of-State: $8,695
Net Price: $6,785
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Retention Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 39%

Total Enrollment: 1,187
Undergrad Students: 1,187
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $25,200
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Ocean County College

Tuition
- In-State: $5,790
- Out-of-State: $8,100
Net Price: $10,765
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 39%

Total Enrollment: 7,321
Undergrad Students: 7,321
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $33,400
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Middlesex Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $4,476
- Out-of-State: $13,428
Net Price: $3,300
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%
Graduation Rate: 19%

Total Enrollment: 1,988
Undergrad Students: 1,988
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $37,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Hagerstown Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $6,390
- Out-of-State: $8,190
Net Price: $7,372
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 33%

Total Enrollment: 3,533
Undergrad Students: 3,533
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $32,800
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Niagara County Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $5,980
- Out-of-State: $10,924
Net Price: $6,151
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%
Graduation Rate: 33%

Total Enrollment: 4,154
Undergrad Students: 4,154
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $32,300
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Randolph Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $2,386
- Out-of-State: $8,146
Net Price: $6,279
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 63%
Graduation Rate: 41%

Total Enrollment: 2,289
Undergrad Students: 2,289
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $25,800
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

Herkimer College

Tuition
- In-State: $5,776
- Out-of-State: $8,990
Net Price: $7,306
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%
Graduation Rate: 39%

Total Enrollment: 2,224
Undergrad Students: 2,224
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $30,400
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

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Wake Technical Community College

Tuition
- In-State: $2,768
- Out-of-State: $8,912
Net Price: $4,980
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 28%

Total Enrollment: 21,299
Undergrad Students: 21,299
Graduate Students: 0
Subject Diplomas: NA
Grads Salary: $31,600
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Certificate vs. Associate's

There are many programs these days that offer certificates in human services programs. They also typically offer online associate degrees. The chief advantage of a certificate is that you can often complete these programs in a year, sometimes faster. However, you'll need to consider your long-term opportunities. That is, if you spend one additional year in school to attain an online associate degree, you can complete most, if not all, of the core curriculum you will need for a baccalaureate degree. Both of these are available through online learning formats. Once you have a degree, you will find that it’s easier to find a better job with higher pay.

What Associate Degree in Human Services Programs are Available Online?

Associate of Arts in Human Services
An AA Associate Degree in Human Services, or human and social services, is generally aimed at topics such as policy, law, counseling, human behavior and human development, or other non-STEM courses. You can certainly launch a career with an AA degree and use it as a foundation for a BA as well.
Associate of Science in Human Services
AS degrees don’t often differ much from AA degrees, especially in the field of human services. However, an AS degree could put more weight on statistics or other analytical metrics.
Associate of Applied Arts in Human Services
An AAA is an arts degree that is designed specifically for preparing you to work in the human services field. Your transcript might not include all the purely academic courses a baccalaureate program would like to see. This is because applied degrees often rely more heavily on non-academic, occupational sources than texts and papers that have been peer-reviewed and/or written by degreed social scientists.
Associate of Applied Sciences in Human Services
In terms of coursework and overall degree efficacy, your AAS degree might look almost identical to its arts equivalent. Your applied science courses are sure to focus more on occupational information. As such, you will receive great job training, but you may need to take more courses if you decide to apply for a BS degree.

Online Admission Requirements

To enter an online associate degree program for human services, you will need to complete an application packet that includes your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay that details your motivations and plans for the degree. This is true for online and traditional programs. For an online associate-level degree, you typically need a high school diploma, or the equivalent. Your letter of recommendation might come from an employer, a teacher, or some respected member of the community, but not a friend. If you have any experience working in human services, or even any related experience, you should be sure to include that in an essay or during an interview as well.

How long does it take to earn an online Human Services Associate's?

Most online associate degrees are created with a two-year time frame in mind. However, some, especially those offered online or through hybrid programs (with online and in-person courses) provide accelerated pathways to graduation that take 18 months. You should strive to meet at least the two-year time frame. The faster you complete your AA degree, the faster you can land a job in your field or begin considering the next chapter in your academic career.

In order to expedite your coursework, you should start off with a plan for how you intend to manage classes and your other obligations. This plan might involve a mixture of classroom and online classes, taking heavier loads of classes for some terms, and other strategies. You can also discuss your plans with an academic adviser.

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Potential Careers in Human Services with an Associate's

Addiction Counselor
In this position, you will work with men and women who suffer from addiction. An associate degree in human service education can allow you to work in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility or in a stand-alone office where you see clients on an hourly basis. Depending on your state’s regulations, there may be an extended period in which you need to train and accrue supervised hours.
The average salary for this position is $40,000.
Community Outreach Coordinator
With some managerial experience, you might work in outreach as a coordinator. This position frequently involves having a high profile in the community. You might serve as the primary contact person when designing a new program, and you might be listed on press releases in case reporters need to know more about your organization and its functions.
Community outreach coordinators earn an average yearly salary of $42,200.
Social Worker
This occupational title covers a wide range of duties. You could work one-on-one with developmentally disabled people or in a group home for people who suffer with psychiatric disorders. There are also positions where your primary workplace will be in an office helping people access resources for themselves and their families.
The average salary for a social worker is $48,000.
Case Manager
Your online associate degree will be an immense help when applying for case manager positions. This job will ask you to work with certain populations as they strive to improve their lives. You might work with recovering addicts or alcoholics who may need help navigating various social services agencies or keeping an eye on low-income elderly people who may need assistance.
The annual salary for case managers is $41,400.
Health Educators
Your work as a professional with a human services degree might involve teaching various populations how to improve and maintain their health. While educational duties might be only a part of a human services professional's job, you might find that you do this full-time for older populations, for instance, who need assistance understanding and taking their medications.
The annual salary for professionals in this position is $46,200.

Options to Advance

If you wish to advance your career, you will need some mixture of experience and education. Once you complete your online associate degree, seek the best possible job to suit your credentials and your long-term goals. It’s important to not only gain experience, but also experience that will help you advance later on.

You should also consider going on to complete a baccalaureate program in human services. A four-year degree can qualify you for certain promotions and raises. This is especially true if you are working in the public sector (government). You might also consider a slight shift of focus to social work. If you have worked with your Human Services AA degree for a few years and love the work, a social work degree will more likely enable you to earn state licensure. However, many complete a BA in Human Services before applying for a MS in human services or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is human services and is it the same as social work?

Health and human services is a broad field that encompasses a variety of disciplines and professions aiming to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Professionals in this field help people meet their basic needs and promote self-sufficiency and independence. They provide a range of services and support like counseling, advocacy, and case management, and often work closely with other professionals such as a social worker, counselors, and medical workers to provide comprehensive services.

Health and human services and social work are related fields, but they are not the same. A human services degree program will be a more broad, encompassing a variety of disciplines and professions, while social work is a specific profession within the human services field. Social workers have set of skills and knowledge that are focused on helping individuals, families, and communities to overcome barriers and achieve their goals. Human services professionals have a more generalist approach to their work and may not have the same level of education and training requirements as social workers.

What are the categories of human services?

Human services is a broad field that encompasses a variety of disciplines and professions, some of the main categories of human services include the following.

Counseling:
Providing emotional support and guidance to individuals, families, and groups
Case management:
Coordinating and providing support services to clients such as housing, medical care, and financial assistance
Advocacy:
Promoting the rights and interests of individuals, families, and communities
Community Organizing:
Working with communities to build capacity and address social issues
Social Work:
Helping individuals, families, and communities to overcome barriers and achieve their goals
Rehabilitation:
Assisting individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential
Mental Health Services:
Providing support and treatment to individuals with mental health issues

Best Online Associate in Human Services Degrees for 2023

Get Matched With Human Services Colleges

Compare Popular Online Human Services Programs

PROS

CONS

Search Programs

What are the Best Online Associate Degree in Human Services College Programs?

Purdue University

Brigham Young University

Indiana Wesleyan University

Find Your Online Human Services Program

Elizabethtown College

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Bismarck State College

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Minot State University

Monroe College

Cornerstone University

Stanly Community College

Brescia University

Waukesha County Technical College

Find Online Human Services Programs

Madisonville Community College

University of the Cumberlands

University of Alaska Anchorage

Shorter University

Piedmont Community College

Ocean County College

Middlesex Community College

Hagerstown Community College

Niagara County Community College

Randolph Community College

Herkimer College

Find Online Human Services Schools

Wake Technical Community College

Certificate vs. Associate's

What Associate Degree in Human Services Programs are Available Online?

Online Admission Requirements

How long does it take to earn an online Human Services Associate's?

Find Online Human Services Programs

Potential Careers in Human Services with an Associate's

Options to Advance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is human services and is it the same as social work?

What are the categories of human services?

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