Human Services (Online)
Degree-Completion Program
Human services professionals actively assist individuals, families, or whole communities navigate the complex situations that often shape the human experience. The types of services a given human may need range widely, meaning that this degree program suits a variety of interests. Graduates can find meaningful employment with health centers; programs dealing with addiction, abuse, or aging; correctional or rehabilitation facilities; group and halfway homes; and more.
The 60-credit-hour Human Services degree program builds on your associate-level coursework to provide additional insight and help you advance in your career.
Human services professionals actively assist individuals, families, or whole communities navigate the complex situations that often shape the human experience. The types of services a given human may need range widely, meaning that this degree program suits a variety of interests. Graduates can find meaningful employment with health centers; programs dealing with addiction, abuse, or aging; correctional or rehabilitation facilities; group and halfway homes; and more.
The 60-credit-hour Human Services degree program builds on your associate-level coursework to provide additional insight and help you advance in your career.
Ready to get started?
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
Course Length: 8 weeks
Program Duration: 2 years
Next Start: January 2025
Ready to get started?
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
Course Length: 8 weeks
Program Duration: 2 years
Next Start: January 2025
Why Lees-McRae College?
The online Human Services degree program at Lees-McRae gives you the flexibility to attain more education at your own pace. Many students are working professionals and benefit from the accommodating schedule. Our faculty are dedicated to helping students balance educational, work, and family responsibilities. Students currently working in a related occupation are also eligible for tuition discounts.
Multiple college ranking sites have recognized this program as being one of the best in the state and country. Lees-McRae has the most popular online Human Services program in North Carolina, according to College Factual. Our program was also named the best Human Services program in the country for 2022 by Intelligent.com and one of the most affordable online Human Services programs by OnlineU.
The demand for knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated Human Services professionals is growing. By earning a bachelor’s degree, you give yourself an advantage and can gain access to new opportunities. Social work—one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country—generally requires a bachelor’s degree. Other careers, like therapy or counseling, often call for a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The median annual wage for community and social service occupations was $47,520 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
The demand for knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated Human Services professionals is growing. By earning a bachelor’s degree, you give yourself an advantage and can gain access to new opportunities. Social work—one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country—generally requires a bachelor’s degree. Other careers, like therapy or counseling, often call for a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The median annual wage for community and social service occupations was $47,520 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
The classes in the Human Services program combine elements of psychology, social work, and criminal justice. You’ll learn how family dynamics, public policy, and interpersonal relations all affect individuals and groups, and how to identify, fix, and prevent problems. Included in the 60 credit hours required for the degree are six general education courses that will help you be more well-rounded in your field.
The classes in the Human Services program combine elements of psychology, social work, and criminal justice. You’ll learn how family dynamics, public policy, and interpersonal relations all affect individuals and groups, and how to identify, fix, and prevent problems. Included in the 60 credit hours required for the degree are six general education courses that will help you be more well-rounded in your field.
Course Map
The degree program can be completed in eight sessions, or four semesters. Each session lasts eight weeks. One of the benefits of this program is that you can start with any session—you don’t need to wait until August. Regardless of when they enter the program, every student follows the same course schedule.
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Year One
Courses offered each session (all courses are 3 credit hours)
Fall Session 1 (August–September)
- Essential Skills of Human Services (HMS 311)
- Culture and Diversity (HMS 321)
- Human Growth and Development (PSY 201)
- Personal and Professional Identity (HMS 323)
- Arts and Life (ART 250)
- Social Barriers and Public Policy (HMS 331)
- Environmental Biology (BIO 102)
- Psychopathology and Maladaptive Behavior (HMS 333)
- Community Resources and Intra-Professional Networks (HMS 335)
- Math and Science Concepts (SCI 241)
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Year Two
Courses offered each session (all courses are 3 credit hours)
Fall Session 1 (August–September)
- Statistics and Research Methods (HMS 380)
- Human Services Administrative and Non-Profit Management (HMS 411)
- Human Services Internship (HMS 471) OR Human Services Work Experience (HMS 472)*
- Navigating Relationships (HMS 421)
- Human Services for Special Populations (HMS 423)
- Human Services Internship (HMS 471)
- Leadership and Advocacy (HMS 441)
- Math and Science Concepts (SCI 214)
- Aging, Ageism, and End of Life (HMS 431)
- Human Services Senior Research Seminar (HMS 499)
- History of the Southern Appalachian Region (HIS 210)
*Courses can be taken in Fall Session 1 or Fall Session 2
In addition to these required classes, an internship will be required for any student who has yet to complete one at their community college. The internship will be waived for any student currently working in the field, pending program coordinator approval. The student is responsible for finding their internship and internships must be approved by the program coordinator.
"Every instructor that I've ever had at Lees-McRae has been great. They're all very hands on, even though it's online. All of my classes have been very educational and beneficial to my college education, and I wouldn't have had it any other way."
Elaina Beeks ’21
Community College Partners
We set up our programs to make coming to Lees-McRae for a bachelor’s degree as straightforward as possible. For students who earned an associate degree at one of our partner colleges, getting here is even easier. Graduates from these colleges receive guaranteed admission to Lees-McRae, are eligible for tuition discounts, and are considered to have finished their general education requirements.
Didn’t attend a partner college? Set up a free transcript review to identify which college credits will carry over. Contact us at onlineadmissions@lmc.edu.
Career Opportunities
The Human Services profession is broad, as nearly any occupation that addresses human needs can apply. Whether you want to work with children, teenagers, seniors, individuals, couples, families, or larger groups, a bachelor’s degree in Human Services gives you the training and experience you need.
With your degree, you will be eligible for work in the following fields:
Health Care
Child Welfare
Adult Protective Services
Substance Abuse
Behavioral Disorders
Non-profit Agencies
Government Agencies
Contact
 |
Jocelyn Bond |
Jocelyne has worked in a variety of positions in the human services field, including spending over a decade as a social worker with the Watauga County Department of Social Services. She has a PhD and Master of Human Services degree from Walden University, and a Master of Social Work degree from San Diego State University.
