What is Human Services?

Human services is an interdisciplinary field drawing from social work, healthcare, psychology, sociology, and other related areas of study to prepare professionals to positively impact the lives of others. At its core, human services is the practice of helping people find stability and self-sufficiency through guidance, counseling, healthcare services, social work, family support, and other service-based work. Keep reading to discover what the field of human services is, what human services professionals do, and what jobs you can get with a degree in human services. 

If you’re driven to help others and want to build a community-focused career that will leave you feeling fulfilled at the end of the day, then you should consider getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services.

Be sure to fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s in Human Services. If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Human Services Careers

Human services is an excellent career area for people who care deeply about others, who want to make a positive impact and make society a better place. If you have a desire to work with the most vulnerable members of our communities, such as children or the elderly, those struggling with mental illness, or those who are overcoming addiction, then consider a career in human services.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of human services and demand for human services professionals is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, with employment in community and social service occupations projected to grow by 12% from 2021 to 2031.

Top Human Services Career Paths

Community and social services occupations are projected to see faster-than-average employment growth. These are the four key growth areas:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
  • Help children and families resolve problems in their everyday lives with the aim to improve social and psychological functioning, ensure child safety, and promote academic success and family stability.
• Social and Human Service Assistants
  • Support social workers, counselors, and case managers by helping clients locate and access community resources such as food assistance, healthcare, or housing.
• Community Health Workers
  • Act as liaisons between healthcare systems and communities to promote health awareness, deliver basic education, and help individuals access medical and preventive care services.
• Rehabilitation Counselors
  • Help people with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities achieve personal, social, and vocational goals.

What Do Human Services Professionals Do?

Human services professionals help vulnerable individuals and their communities, providing support to help those in need of care. Human services professionals work in a range of roles across different industries. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, there are several options for a career path. 

Human services is a broad profession with opportunities to work in a range of settings, including;

• elder care services
• assisted living facilities
• in-home care facilities
• hospitals
• schools
• public health departments
• non-profit agencies
• community clinics/centers
• rehabilitation centers
• government agencies
• child welfare organizations
• family service agencies

As you can see, there’s a lot you can do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. Regardless of your chosen role, human services professionals typically work directly with individuals to help them understand their issues, overcome their challenges, and build the resilience and tenacity needed to thrive.

Traits of Successful Human Services Professionals

Human services is a career for people who desire to help others, and this is a great career choice if you have a deep sense of responsibility to your community.

Successful professionals in this field share several key traits that help them make a real impact:

• Empathy and Compassion – The ability to truly understand and share the feelings of others while offering nonjudgmental support. 
  • Example: A substance abuse counselor listens without judgment to a client who has relapsed, offering understanding and renewed support for recovery.
• Strong Communication Skills – Clear, respectful communication is essential for building trust with clients and collaborating effectively with other professionals. 
  • Example: A family support worker listens carefully to a single parent, explains childcare assistance options clearly, and follows up with written guidance.
• Emotional Resilience – Working with people in crisis can be emotionally demanding; resilience helps professionals remain calm, patient, and focused. 
  • Example: A crisis hotline counselor stays calm and focused during an intense late-night call, providing reassurance and directing the caller to immediate help.
• Adaptability – Human service environments can change quickly; successful professionals stay flexible and responsive to evolving needs. 
  • Example: A community outreach worker quickly moves a nutrition workshop outdoors after a power outage, keeping participants engaged with printed materials.
• Cultural Sensitivity – Recognizing and respecting differences in backgrounds, beliefs, and values ensures inclusive, impartial service. 
  • Example: A mental health caseworker adjusts sessions for a refugee family by focusing on well-being and storytelling to respect cultural norms.
• Advocacy and Ethical Commitment – Standing up for clients’ rights and promoting fair access to community resources are central to the profession. 
  • Example: A housing advocate gathers evidence and represents an elderly client at a hearing to prevent an unjust eviction.
• Teamwork and Collaboration – Human service professionals often work alongside social workers, healthcare providers, educators, and counselors to provide holistic care. 
  • Example: A school social worker coordinates with teachers, healthcare staff, and a food bank to provide consistent care for a neglected child.

At its core, human services is about understanding people’s struggles, challenges, and goals, and responding with compassion and respect. 

Empathy allows professionals to connect with clients on a personal level, creating trust and making it easier to identify the root causes of issues such as poverty, addiction, or family instability. 

Advocacy turns that understanding into action by speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves, fighting for access to essential resources, and promoting policies that improve lives. 

Together, empathy and advocacy form the foundation of every helping profession, ensuring that support is not only practical but also deeply humane and empowering.

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services?

You can do many different things with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, including roles in psychology, rehabilitation, social work, and family support.

In fact, this may be one of the best degrees to earn if you know that you want a career helping others, but you aren’t exactly sure what that career will look like yet.

The robust, interdisciplinary education you will receive when you earn your Bachelor’s in Human Services will open doors to multiple career paths and prepare you with the fundamental background knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare for the challenges faced by human services professionals. 

Explore the modules that you will study in our Human Services online degree program.

Is a Human Services Degree Worth It?

Completing your Bachelor’s degree in Human Services prepares you for the roles and responsibilities you’ll face serving as a professional in the industry.

Whether you’re looking to work for a government agency, private company, or non-profit organization, getting your Bachelor’s in Human Services will provide you with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in the field.

Benefits of a Human Services Degree

1. You Make a Real Difference Every Day

Helping professions allow you to make a direct and lasting impact on people’s lives while contributing to stronger, healthier communities. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to connect, problem-solve, and support individuals and families in meaningful ways, ensuring that your work remains dynamic, purposeful, and deeply rewarding.

2. Personal Growth and Professional Fulfilment

You’ll gain empathy, resilience, and cultural awareness, along with essential skills in communication and leadership. The personal satisfaction of making a difference gives your work lasting purpose and meaning.

3. Flexibility, Stability, and Diverse Career Paths

A Human Services degree opens doors to a wide range of career options, from case management and counselling to advocacy, community outreach, and administration. The growing demand for skilled professionals also provides flexibility in where and how you work, with strong long-term job security.

Can I Get My Human Services Degree Online?

Yes! CSU Global’s Bachelor’s in Human Services can be completed 100% online.

We designed the degree to fit around your busy schedule, and whether you have a family to care for or a full-time job, our online degree is flexible enough to fit into your life so you can advance your career on your terms.

One of the most notable benefits of studying with CSU Global is that our online Degree in Human Services offers monthly class starts, accelerated eight-week courses, and no requirements for attendance at set times or physical locations.

If you’re busy and want to gain the skills and abilities needed to succeed in the field of human services, then CSU Global can help.

What Makes CSU Global the Best School for Human Services?

CSU Global’s program is an excellent choice if you choose to get an online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. 

Our degree is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which means it will be respected by potential employers and meets rigorous educational standards.

It also recently received the #3 Best Online Human Services Degree Programs award from Intelligent.

What is more, CSU Global offers competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure your rate won’t increase for as long as you stay enrolled, thus helping to save your money and time. 

To get additional details about our fully-accredited, 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, please give us a call at 800-462-7845 or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!

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