Online Associates Degree in Human Services - Best of 2024

Get Matched With Human Services Colleges

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.

Compare Popular Online Human Services Programs

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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Top 25 Best Online Associate in Human Services Programs

Purdue University

Score: 87.5

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State: $28,794
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $56,400
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Brigham Young University

Score: 77.57

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,496
- Out-of-State: $6,496
Net Price: $13,521
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 79%
Total Enrollment: 34,464
Undergrad Students: 31,411
Graduate Students: 3,053
Grads Salary: $47,100
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Indiana Wesleyan University

Score: 70.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,168
- Out-of-State: $31,168
Net Price: $21,755
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 2,603
Undergrad Students: 2,236
Graduate Students: 367
Grads Salary: $52,700
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Elizabethtown College

Score: 67.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,842
- Out-of-State: $36,842
Net Price: $26,723
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 2,021
Undergrad Students: 1,737
Graduate Students: 284
Grads Salary: $46,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Score: 67.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,834
- Out-of-State: $42,834
Net Price: $29,625
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 1,478
Undergrad Students: 990
Graduate Students: 488
Grads Salary: $52,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Bismarck State College

Score: 67.6

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,195
- Out-of-State: $7,279
Net Price: $11,309
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 3,771
Undergrad Students: 3,771
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $50,300
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Monroe College

Score: 64.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,922
- Out-of-State: $17,922
Net Price: $9,157
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 7,011
Undergrad Students: 5,916
Graduate Students: 1,095
Grads Salary: $34,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Score: 63.92

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,213
- Out-of-State: $6,213
Net Price: $13,655
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 2,865
Undergrad Students: 2,865
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $43,400
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Minot State University

Score: 63.6

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,634
- Out-of-State: $8,634
Net Price: $12,360
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 2,777
Undergrad Students: 2,530
Graduate Students: 247
Grads Salary: $44,900
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Great Basin College

Score: 63.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,855
- Out-of-State: $13,448
Net Price: $7,058
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 38%

Graduation Rate: 48%
Total Enrollment: 3,197
Undergrad Students: 3,197
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $47,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Alaska Anchorage

Score: 62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,566
- Out-of-State: $21,693
Net Price: $15,609
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 30%
Total Enrollment: 10,464
Undergrad Students: 9,925
Graduate Students: 539
Grads Salary: $49,100
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Waukesha County Technical College

Score: 61.7

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,720
- Out-of-State: $6,996
Net Price: $9,316
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 7,268
Undergrad Students: 7,268
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $41,400
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Cornerstone University

Score: 61.26

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,100
- Out-of-State: $29,100
Net Price: $20,935
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 1,781
Undergrad Students: 1,433
Graduate Students: 348
Grads Salary: $37,900
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Brescia University

Score: 59.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,450
- Out-of-State: $30,450
Net Price: $16,127
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 646
Undergrad Students: 551
Graduate Students: 95
Grads Salary: $34,300
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

University of the Cumberlands

Score: 59.52

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,875
- Out-of-State: $9,875
Net Price: $14,337
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 18,053
Undergrad Students: 5,174
Graduate Students: 12,879
Grads Salary: $41,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Madisonville Community College

Score: 58.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,656
- Out-of-State: $6,192
Net Price: $7,738
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 3,493
Undergrad Students: 3,493
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $29,800
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Rasmussen University

Score: 57.29

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,117
- Out-of-State: $15,117
Net Price: $17,890
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 50%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 8,166
Undergrad Students: 7,937
Graduate Students: 229
Grads Salary: $45,700
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Rasmussen University-Florida

Score: 57.29

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,117
- Out-of-State: $15,117
Net Price: $17,890
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 50%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 8,166
Undergrad Students: 7,937
Graduate Students: 229
Grads Salary: $45,700
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Wake Technical Community College

Score: 56.07

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,336
- Out-of-State: $7,582
Net Price: $3,914
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 21,551
Undergrad Students: 21,551
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $35,300
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Camden County College

Score: 55.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,056
- Out-of-State: $4,056
Net Price: $2,957
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 22%
Total Enrollment: 7,770
Undergrad Students: 7,770
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,900
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

Western New Mexico University

Score: 55.65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,868
- Out-of-State: $14,354
Net Price: $10,676
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 3,378
Undergrad Students: 2,377
Graduate Students: 1,001
Grads Salary: $40,100
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Community College of Baltimore County

Score: 55.35

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,474
- Out-of-State: $10,880
Net Price: $6,850
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 52%

Graduation Rate: 16%
Total Enrollment: 15,319
Undergrad Students: 15,319
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $46,100
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Northcentral Technical College

Score: 54.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,861
- Out-of-State: $5,615
Net Price: $10,866
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 32%
Total Enrollment: 6,069
Undergrad Students: 6,069
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $40,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Franklin Pierce University

Score: 54.71

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,963
- Out-of-State: $44,963
Net Price: $28,434
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 1,663
Undergrad Students: 1,118
Graduate Students: 545
Grads Salary: $41,500
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

College of the Albemarle

Score: 54.51

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,249
- Out-of-State: $7,222
Net Price: $3,993
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 54%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 2,314
Undergrad Students: 2,314
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $28,600
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

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.

Find Online Human Services Programs

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 2024