More than ever, the time is now to explore a Health and Human Services degree. Over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that health and social assistance careers will experience the fastest growth of all employment sectors. And rest assured, there are plenty of pathways to get on the road to success.
For those looking to make a positive impact in the lives of others—who wish to dedicate their lives to serving populations—a degree in Health and Human Services is an incredible consideration.
An associate degree in Human Services, for example, can build core competencies that are vital to serving others, including performing assessments, providing counseling, and understanding individual and group psychology.
A bachelor’s degree in Human Services, meanwhile, can expose you to more in-depth human services concepts, making you eligible for advanced positions in counseling, behavioral health, advocacy, crisis prevention, and more.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s start with the basics. Below we’ll unpack the Health and Human Services major, before exploring possible degree options.
What are health and human services?
Human services is an interdisciplinary area of study that embraces many fields with one thing in common: Serving others. Careers like social work, counseling, health promotion, and patient advocacy fall into the Health and Human Services bucket.
The goal of Health and Human Services professionals is to enhance other peoples’ physical, mental, and behavioral health, as well as their general well-being and social integration. These professionals do this by developing, or facilitating access to, resources within their communities.
Human Services helps everyone, from individuals and families to whole communities. They strengthen individuals’ independence and enhance their overall quality of life by assisting them to address their social, emotional, and practical needs.
In this industry, professionals can work in an array of settings, including hospitals, schools, community centers, and government agencies. Members actively work toward favorable changes for individuals and families by addressing the underlying causes of social and health problems. It’s something extraordinary to be a part of.
Associate degree in Human Services
A typical associate Degree in Human Services includes around 61 credits, focusing on fundamental subjects that equip students for entry-level positions in social work, counseling, and community services. Expect courses like psychology, sociology, principles of social work, and ethics in these kinds of Health and Human Services programs.
Just because it’s shorter doesn’t mean it’s boring or lacking comprehensiveness. Students have opportunities to participate in fieldwork or internships where they can gain hands-on experience and put their classroom learnings to practice. These experiences establish a solid base for individuals seeking to connect with other professionals and start making an early impact in their communities. .
Bachelor’s degree in Human Services
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Services takes about twice as long as an associate degree, since you need 121 credits. The bachelor’s degree path builds upon the fundamental information acquired in an associate program. Students study more complex issues like behavioral health, child welfare, substance abuse, and human development.
Plus, students in these kinds of Health and Human Services programs typically engage more frequently in advanced fieldwork or internships.
A bachelor’s degree gives you access to a broad spectrum of professional prospects and provides a route to pursue advanced studies in social work, counseling, or closely associated disciplines.
Learn about earning a meaningful and flexible Human Services degree at Goodwin University!
What can you gain from a Health and Human Services degree?
Human Services degree programs are designed to help you improve the quality of life for individuals under your care—including toddlers, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens. As a human services professional, you will use training in counseling, case management, interviewing, intake, assessment, psychology, sociology, human development, and other related areas to assist the people you serve in overcoming life’s challenges.
A career in Health and Human Services allows you to positively impact the lives of people of all ages. As a human services professional, you witness the full spectrum of the human experience—the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and tragedies.
As you pursue a Health and Human Services degree, you’ll acquire the skills employers demand—public speaking, ethics, grant writing, and information literacy, to name a few. You will also gain valuable experience working with other demographics, learn how to approach your work with a multicultural perspective and develop a good grasp on the ethics and laws within this line of work.
Health and Human Services, as a field of study, offers many rewarding paths. Whether you’re interested in directly impacting patient care, social work advocacy, or public health’s community-building power, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives.
What can you do with a health and human services degree?
Many degree programs are career-focused—designed to prepare you with the skills and competencies you will need to be successful in many different human services careers.
For job seekers with the right combination of education and experience, a wide variety of human services careers are available in many different settings. Many Health and Human Services program graduates settle into jobs they love.
A successful Health and Human Services career is more than having the correct education. Your interests, aspirations, and goals as a potential health and human services worker will determine the kind of degree you should pursue.
The Associate of Science in Human Services degree can help you get into several entry-level jobs in the field, such as:
- Case manager: Coordinates care and service plans for clients, assessing needs, developing care plans, and connecting clients with resources like housing and medical care.
- Counselor: Provides emotional and mental health support, offering therapeutic interventions and helping clients develop coping strategies.
- Job coach: Help individuals find and maintain employment, offering career advice, job search support, and on-the-job training.
- Social service specialist: This position helps clients access public assistance programs, potentially providing referrals and advocacy to ensure they receive the support they need.
- Youth worker: Support adolescent development through activities, mentorship, and guidance on education, career planning, and personal challenges.
While a Bachelor of Science in Human Services program moves you toward advancement in jobs like:
- Community outreach worker: Community engagement involves linking people to services, promoting awareness, and giving resources to increase well-being.
- Intake and interviewing specialist: This specialist conducts initial assessments and interviews, gathering essential information to determine clients’ needs and eligibility for services.
- Mental health associate: Supports mental health professionals by assisting with patient care, monitoring progress, and providing therapeutic activities.
- Probation officer: This officer supervises individuals on probation, ensuring compliance with court orders, providing guidance, and helping with rehabilitation.
- Rehabilitation Specialist: This person assists individuals recovering from illness, injury, or addiction, developing personalized plans to help them regain independence.
Goodwin’s flexible and supportive degree programs
All our degree programs at Goodwin prepare students to achieve great careers. We always accommodate our students’ needs with flexible scheduling options, affordable education, financial aid opportunities, and support services. Check out the wide range of resources and programs we provide to assist you in developing a prosperous career.