Three years ago Julie Riley helped Kaplan University develop online associate and bachelor's degrees in human services.
“Human services is the umbrella term we use for people who work in a wide variety of helping professions, including the areas of mental health, social services, nonprofit organizations, rehabilitation services, nursing homes and the court system,” said Riley, chair of human services for Kaplan University’s School of Arts and Sciences. “This degree will help you help others. It prepares students to assess client needs, identify community resources, solve problems and advocate for their client populations.”
Graduates acquire the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to work as case managers, human services administrators, child protective services investigators, adult or child welfare workers, and elderly service providers.
“A bachelor’s degree in human services is also a good stepping stone to a master’s degree in social work or counseling,” Riley said.
In the past, undergraduate programs in human services were not always available. Many workers were hired out of high school and were trained on the job. Today, many employers prefer applicants to have a degree or certification in a related field, such as gerontology or social/behavioral science.
“They’ll have more knowledge, self-confidence and opportunities for career advancement,” she said.
Demand for social and human service workers is growing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects jobs to increase by 28 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Issues such as drinking, drug use and teen violence have increased the need for people to work with troubled youth in public services and the courts.
“The baby boomers are aging. By 2030, there will be 72.1 million people in the U.S. over 65 years of age, twice the number that there were in 2000. We need more geriatric social services professionals,” she said.
A bachelor’s degree in human services, which provides a solid foundation for workers in the field, offers three specialization tracks: administration, gerontology, and child and family welfare.
“We help students put a degree plan together to fit their career goals,” Riley said. “Some of our students have plans to address specific problems by opening their own nonprofit organizations. One of our graduates has started her own international adoption agency.”
Most graduates find jobs as case managers or administrators for government agencies, or as intake interviewers, eligibility counselors or activities directors at nursing homes. The median salary is $28,200, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary can vary widely, depending upon education level, experience and level of responsibilities.
The introductory human services course encourages students to reflect on their motives and to research career paths. “You need to have a firm understanding of yourself and know why you want to help others before working in this field,” Riley said.
Students also take classes in social problems, human behavior and environment, prevention and crisis intervention methods, case management, social policy and statistics, and electives in their career interest.
Tuition is $371 per credit hour for the 180-hour human services degree.
For information, call 866-583-4418 or go to www.humanservices.kaplan.edu.
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