University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies | Human Services Degree and Career Guide
Degree and Career Guide
Introduction
If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, the human services field offers a broad array of careers with strong growth opportunities.
Professionals in this field help adults, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities benefit from services and programs that can help improve their lives. An aging population, greater awareness of substance use and mental health issues, and an affordable housing shortage have all increased the demand for human services professionals.
An online human services degree or certificate program offers the unique opportunity to complete your education on your time while gaining experience working in the industry. Whether you aspire to work in a health care, government, or community-based setting, these programs are designed to help you achieve your goals.
We understand that pursuing an online associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree program can be challenging, particularly if you haven’t attended college in several years.
We’re here to help.
This guide will help you navigate your options when it comes to pursuing an online human services degree by discussing:
• The advantages of human services programs
• Industry trends and career pathways
• The types of human services degrees and certificates available
• Popular human services career paths
• How we can help you achieve your goals
Advantages of Online Human Services Programs
Earning your degree online gives you a competitive advantage in the workplace, allowing you to balance work and family while you study. In some cases, you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned directly to your work.
Gain a Competitive Edge
Earning an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, or a graduate certificate, makes you a more attractive candidate in the human services field. Whether you’re just starting your career, making a career shift, or looking for advancement, a degree demonstrates to employers that you understand social, cultural, and psychological variables that affect people. You’ll learn about ways you can help improve the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of society’s most vulnerable citizens.
Expand Your Career Opportunities
If you’re looking to expand your opportunities in the human services field, earning an associate degree provides the foundation for success. A bachelor’s degree increases your job opportunities, while a master’s degree or graduate certificate positions you for higher-paying leadership roles. These programs also offer the option to further specialize in a variety of concentrations, such as Addictions Studies, Family Studies, and Wellness and Prevention.
Human Services Overview
Employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 12% between 2020 and 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Human services isn’t only a rewarding career path, it’s also a versatile one. The courses you take in your program will position you to advance in a fast-growing industry where you can find the right opportunity for your goals.
Featured Occupations Community Health Worker
Typically requiring an associate degree, this position is a common entry-level pathway into the human services field. Community health workers work closely with medical providers, primary care teams, and social services agencies to help clients access resources and support to improve their health and well-being.
Median Salary: $46,590
Projected Growth: 17%
Social and Community Service Manager
Typically requiring a bachelor’s degree, this position is a common mid-level management position with increased responsibilities and salary. Social and Community Service Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization.
Median Salary: $74,000
Projected Growth: 15%
Nonprofit Executive Director
Typically requiring a master’s degree, this senior-level position generally offers the highest salary and greatest responsibilities of any positions in the field. Nonprofit executive directors serve as the management leader of an organization, responsible for overseeing operations and developing and executing strategic plans. Other duties may include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach.
Median Salary: $98,980
Projected Growth: 8%
“For those who want to make a meaningful impact, the human services field offers a range of careers with strong growth opportunities.”
Kathleen Hipp, Ph.D., Director of Undergraduate Behavioral Sciences and Human Services
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 2022 from bls.gov/ooh
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A.S. Behavioral Science
An online A.S. in Behavioral Science introduces you to the biological, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of human behavior. You can choose from several concentrations to tailor your degree program to your interests.
Career Pathways
Because the A.S. in Behavioral Science takes an interdisciplinary approach, it can also lead to a variety of career paths. These include:
• Community Health Worker
• Administrative Assistant
• Mental Health Technician
Path to a Bachelor’s Degree
Those looking to further their education beyond an associate degree can make a smooth transition from an A.S. in Behavioral Science to a B.S. in Human Services or Psychology.
Concentrations
• Addictions Studies
• Counseling Foundations
• Criminal Justice
• Emergency Management Strategy and Planning
• Human Services
• Applied Psychology
• Wellness and Prevention
Course Highlights
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Criminology
“Earning my associate degree was the first step along an amazing journey to understand more about behavioral health. Applying new skills right away made the learning more exciting and made dedicating the time to school more fulfilling. Since then, I completed my bachelor’s in Human Services and now plan to work towards a graduate certificate.”
Marquise Kendrick ’20, A.S. Behavioral Science, B.S. Human Services
B.S. Human Services
An online B.S. in Human Services opens the doors to a variety of careers in the “helping” professions. The courses will prepare you to offer support and improve the quality of life for people in your community. Choose from a variety of concentrations to customize your program to support your career goals.
Career Pathways
The B.S. in Human Services degree prepares you for many rewarding career paths. These include:
• Social and Community Service Manager
• Administrative Services Manager
• Human Resources Manager
Path to a Graduate Certificate or Master’s Degree
Earning a graduate certificate or master’s degree is a natural next step to building the skills you need for advanced roles in the industry. By starting with a Human Services Administration Certificate, you can earn a graduate-level credential while you work toward your master’s degree.
“I didn’t just receive an education. I learned how to advocate for myself as a woman, as a person – and there’s a lot of value in that.” Madison Vasquez ’22, B.S. Human Services
Concentrations
• Addictions Studies
• Adult Court Advocacy
• Child Court Advocacy
• Counseling Foundations
• Education Advocacy
• Family Studies
• Applied Psychology
• Wellness and Prevention
Course Highlights
• Human Services and the Helping Process
• Dynamics of Family Relationships
• Case Management
• Law and Ethics for Health Care and Human Services
• Social Stratification and Inequality
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B.S. Applied Psychology
The online B.S. in Applied Psychology explores the variables that affect human behavior in individual and group settings. Beyond mental health, a psychology degree can help you land jobs in business, law enforcement, and training and development. By choosing a concentration, you can steer your program toward a particular profession.
Career Pathways
Our B.S. in Applied Psychology is designed to offer you a flexible range of career pathways, including:
• Case Manager
• Health Education Specialist
• Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
• Human Resources Specialist
Path to a Graduate Certificate or Master’s Degree
Earning a graduate certificate or master’s degree is a natural next step to building the skills you need for advanced roles in the industry. By starting with a Human Services Administration Graduate Certificate, you can earn a graduate-level credential while you work toward your master’s degree.
“I’m really thankful for my College experience. My education broadened my horizons in a profound way.”
Adam
Gonyea ’22, B.S. Psychology
Concentrations
• Addictions Studies
• Adult Court Advocacy
• Child Court Advocacy
• Counseling Foundations
• Education Advocacy
• Emergency Management
• Family Studies
• Human Services
• Organizational Psychology
• Wellness and Prevention
Course Highlights
• Human Development
• Abnormal Psychology
• Research Methods
• The Human Brain
• Cognition and Learning
Graduate Certificate: Human Services Administration
If you want to advance your human services career but aren’t ready to tackle a full master’s degree program, consider our online Human Services Administration Certificate.
This 12-credit graduate certficate prepares you for management or administrative positions at human service agencies, offering electives that help you focus your learning experience. Plus, the credit you earn builds toward our M.S. in Human Services Administration when you’re ready to take the next step.
Path to a Master’s Degree
When you’re ready to complete your M.S. In Human Services Administration, you can apply the 12 credits you earned in your graduate certificate toward the 30-credit master’s degree program.
“It is an honor to be able to work each day with students who are so dedicated to making a difference in their communities.”
Jo Oliver-Yeager, Director of Graduate
Human Services
Course Highlights
• Principles of Human Service Management
• Ethical and Legal Practices in Human Services
• Conflict Management and Negotiation
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M.S. Human Services Administration
If you’re ready to step into a leadership role at a human services agency, consider our online M.S. in Human Services Administration. This program provides the management skills you need to successfully budget, plan, and deliver programs in your community. By choosing three electives, you can further align your study with your career goals.
Career Pathways
Our M.S. in Human Services Administration prepares students to advance into administrative roles across a variety of human services sectors. Career pathways include:
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Director of Development
• Community Outreach Director
• Grant Administrator
“There is tremendous demand for human service professionals who are adept at navigating the complexities of the social safety net. The online graduate programs are invaluable for developing leadership skills needed to strengthen that safety net.”
- Brent Ladman, B.S. Social Science ’16 Student, M.S. Human Services Administration
Course Highlights
• Leading and Governing Nonprofit Organizations
• Ethical and Legal Practices in Human Services
• Foundations of Program Planning and Evaluation
• Financial Management for Nonprofits
• Building Diverse and Inclusive Organizations
About UNH College of Professional Studies
University of New Hampshire brings together students, faculty, and private and public partners to create lifechanging opportunities and innovative solutions in our neighborhoods and across the world.
Exclusively Focused on Adult Students
With associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, postbaccalaureate programs for teachers, credit for prior learning, and a variety of transfer opportunities, UNH College of Professional Studies focuses on areas of study that are responsive to the needs of employers. Our degree programs and certificates align with the schedules of working professionals, parents, and others with full lives and busy routines. Our faculty and staff specialize in supporting adult learners. We understand that you’re balancing many responsibilities and that going to college is only one part of what makes you, you.
Top Ranked & Trusted
We’re proud to be top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans”.
100% Online, Accredited, and Affordable
We are a public, nonprofit college that’s regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and we annually achieve top honors from U.S. News & World Report for Best Online Programs.
Credit for What You Know
Students can choose from among several options for demonstrating college-level learning acquired from many types of life experiences including workplace training, onthe-job learning, volunteer training, or self study.
Complimentary Career Advising
Through one-on-one appointments at our Manchester campus or virtually, our team can help you map out a business career strategy tailored to your goals. Just one of many online career resources offered to students is LinkedIn Learning. Discover a world-class library of over 16,000 expertly-produced and consistently updated courses across seven languages.
Military and Veteran Friendly
Being Military Friendly® is more than a catch phrase – it’s ingrained into our mission. Whether you seek to advance your military career or post-military profession, we’re here to help. All our degree programs and certificates are approved for Tuition Assistance and GI Bill® benefits.
Prior Learning Counts!
We are committed to helping students earn college credit where credit is due. That’s why our students can transfer up to 90 credits toward their undergraduate degree –not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.
Transferrable credits include:
• Credit from previous college-level coursework
• Validated training programs, including exams, trainings, and professional credentials as approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) National and Military Guides, and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).
• Equivalency test scores, including passing scores from CLEP and DSST exams.
• Experiential learning portfolios provide a way to demonstrate your achievement of undergraduate college-level learning through professional training or other earned credentials not reflected in credit transfers or testing.
