Human Services FAQs

While the program is designed for human services professionals, no specific work experience is required.

No. You do not have to complete an entrance exam for this program. Explore admissions requirements.

Your first step is to complete the online application, and then prepare your high school or college transcripts, if applicable. Learn more about applying to the program.

We offer a generous transfer policy that allows you to transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution. You can transfer up to 50% of the program’s required credits with program director approval. Our transfer specialists will guide you through the program.

To apply, you need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Required application materials include a completed online application, official transcripts showing degree conferral. The GRE is not required. While the program is designed for human services professionals, no specific work experience is required for admission. View the admissions requirements for all information related to this program. 

This program prepares you for diverse careers in community and social services. Career paths include arbitrator/mediator/conciliator, detective or criminal investigator, child welfare and protection worker, correctional caseworker, crisis intervention specialist, domestic violence counselor, geriatric care manager, group home manager, juvenile justice specialist, probation officer, and psychiatric rehabilitation specialist. Graduates apply their skills across human services, criminal justice, forensic behavioral health, and family science fields. Learn more about growth in human services and opportunities for graduates on the careers page.  

No. Your coursework can be completed 100% online.

Yes. Students must choose between the forensic behavior health emphasis and the trauma, resilience, and self-care strategies emphasis.

The 36-credit-hour program offers career-connected curriculum with two emphasis options: Forensic Behavioral Health and Trauma, Resilience, and Self-Care Strategies. Topics covered include human services research, family violence, psychopathology, ethical and legal considerations, special populations in human services, risk assessment, trauma-informed care practices, crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies, and evidence-based assessment and prevention techniques. Note that this degree is not a clinical or counseling licensed program. 

A human services degree focuses on developing advocacy, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention skills across diverse human services settings. It prepares graduates for program management, community development, forensic behavioral health, and specialized non-clinical roles in human services, criminal justice, and family science. The program emphasizes practical application, trauma work, and system-level intervention. In contrast, an MSW (Master of Social Work) is a professional degree specifically designed to prepare students for licensed clinical social work (LCSW), with emphasis on clinical assessment, therapy, diagnosis, and direct clinical practice requiring extensive supervised field placements. 

The 36-credit-hour online human services degree program can be completed in six semesters (approximately two years) when taken full-time. Part-time students may take longer depending on their course load each semester. All coursework can be completed 100% online, making it possible to further your education without interrupting your current work. The flexible format accommodates working professionals while maintaining the same quality as on-campus learning. 

This program costs $475 per credit hour. With 36 required credit hours, the total tuition is $17,100 but can vary based on the number of accepted transfer credits. Additional costs such as textbooks, course supplies, and loan fees are not included in this estimate. Learn more about options on the tuition and financial aid page.