Human Services

About UIU’s Human Services Degree Program:

What is a Human Services degree?

The need for qualified, experienced Human Services professionals is growing across communities around the world. A degree in Human Services will prepare you to aid the people of those communities through social work, counseling, community projects and a variety of additional career paths.

Getting your Human Services Degree Online

Get the same high-quality Human Services education that you would get from a UIU classroom, at home or in your office. Upper Iowa University offers an online Human Services degree, as well as in-person and distance learning options to meet your educational needs.

How to apply

To apply, visit our Online Application portal to create an account and start your application. Still unsure if this program is right for you? Reach out to our admissions to ask specific questions or request additional information about the Human Services program at Upper Iowa University.

Human Services Career Opportunities

What can you do with a Human Services degree? Well, a degree in Human Services degree from UIU will aid you in becoming an integral support to the diverse needs of the communities you serve. You will graduate prepared to step into leadership roles and build community programs from the ground up.

Graduates of UIU’s Human Services program may find themselves career opportunities as:

• Case Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Family and Human Development Worker
• Behavioral Management Worker
• Community Services Manager
• Correctional Treatment Specialist
• Mental Health Counselor
• Office Administrator
• Probation Officer
• Grief Counselor
• Public Health Education Specialist
• Social and Community Services Manager
• Rehabilitation Case Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor

Human Services Salary Information

With a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, you’ll find yourself in a field of many career possibilities. Human Services graduates can go on to work in government departments, charities and other non-government agencies. Because of this diversity, wages and annual salaries will vary greatly between jobs and individual responsibilities.

Social and community service managers, for example, earned an average of $69,600 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2020. The highest paying industries for community service managers were in local government (excluding education and hospitals). ^[1]

Keep in mind, your city’s cost of living expenses and many other factors like years of experience, certifications, unique skills and graduate degrees will also all influence earning potential in the Human Services field.

Benefits of a Human Services Degree

A bachelor’s degree in Human Services comes with many career opportunities, benefits. You will be on the front lines solving problems and intervening in ways that can significantly improve the lives of the communities you serve.

Here are just of few of the many benefits of pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Services:

• You will directly make a difference in the lives of others
• This degree offers many career opportunities in many sectors
• Positions you for a head start into a professional counseling degree or career
• You can earn your BS in Human Services online at UIU
• Positive job outlook with employment growth rising

Employment of community service managers is expected to grow 15% between 2020 and 2030 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—faster than the average for other occupations. ^[1]

The Psychology and Health Services Department at UIU educates students on a broad range of course topics so they’re prepared on day one of the job.

Your Human Services coursework will include core studies in:

• General Psychology
• Principles of Sociology
• Social Welfare Programs and Policies
• Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions
• Diversity in the United States
• Social Problems
• Marriage and Family

Students in the Human Services program will have the opportunity to apply for Social Work Training Certification (SWTC), and be able to select from a number of different minor programs that align with their career goals.

Social Work and Human Services Skills

If you’re pursuing your degree in Human Services, chances are you already have a passion and calling to help others. This innate skill is something that can’t always be taught and is the foundation of all successful Human Services workers.

Social work is a challenging and diverse professional field, and depending on your chosen career path, may require practitioners to take on multiple roles and wear many hats on any given day. Professionals in this field all share a blend of emotional and psychological skills, in addition to more technical skills you’ll gain through your coursework at Upper Iowa University.

These Human Services skills include:

• Intervention techniques
• Emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Active listening skills
• Evaluation techniques
• Engaging empathy and compassion
• Strong written and communication skills
• Professional boundary setting

Students may also enhance their degree by taking additional elective courses to fulfill minor studies that are very complementary of their degree. Some of these complementary minors to a Human Services degree include:

• Psychology
• Criminal Justice
• Management
• Public Administration

Many Human Services graduates also go on to pursue their master or doctoral degrees in programs such as UIU’s Masters of Science in Counseling (MSC).

What is Human Services?

The NOHS defines human service as, “uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations.”^[2]

What is the purpose of Human Services?

Human Services professionals are dedicated to helping the lives of others in their communities. Social workers and practitioners in this field must know how to effectively work with individuals and families to weave together a vast array of community resources, specialized assistance programs and natural support systems to promote well-being, empowerment and community membership.

Is a bachelor’s in Human Services a BA or BS degree?

Colleges and universities may tailor their Human Services programs differently, allowing them to differentiate their degree programs as either Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or even a Bachelor of Human Services (BHS). At Upper Iowa University, students in this program will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services (B.S. in Health Science).

Can I complete a Human Services degree online?

Yes! Upper Iowa University offers an online Human Services degree program, and many other award-winning online programs, that are flexible with learn-at-your-own-pace options. Learn more about what our online programs offer.

Will you help me find a Human Services position following graduation?

UIU offers comprehensive career development support including access to professional networking events, interview preparation, and career guidance. Students will also gain access to Handshake, UIU’s new online career management system.

Can I narrow the focus of my Human Services degree to specialize in a specific area?

UIU allows students to tailor their education to fit their specific career goals, by offering a variety of complimentary minors including criminal justice, health service administration, financial management, and public administration.

Yes, though faculty are not obligated to write a letter. Allow faculty at least two weeks to complete this task. Fayette students should complete two electronic documents on myUIU and provide them to that faculty member.

Absolutely.  Your UIU degree will prepare you for these and a variety of other graduate school options that may interest you.

Yes. The department tries to take students to Ireland every two years. Students can earn course credit in PSY 201 Adjustment or ID 200 Cultures.

Students have worked with a wide range of organizations and agencies, including long-term care facilities, hospice facilities, childcare centers, agencies advocating for individuals with disabilities, and youth summer camps.