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  • Human Services
Two students lounging by the Hilbert apartments

Human Services Degree

A human services degree from Hilbert College prepares graduates to go out into the world and make a positive difference serving people of all ages who are experiencing various social, emotional, and economic difficulties. Our society’s needs are great and growing, which is why the human services profession is one of the fastest growing in the nation. 

Hilbert’s program equips you with the skills, knowledge, and values to work with vulnerable people and populations, whether you earn a two-year associate degree in human services or enroll in our innovative combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in human services program, which can be completed in just five years. We prepare our graduates to work in areas, such as family and children's services, mental health, substance abuse, elder care, or social services. A human services degree from Hilbert also provides a solid foundation for those who plan to pursue graduate studies in school or private counseling, social work rehabilitation, psychology, sociology or another related field.

Our skills-oriented, interdisciplinary program includes classes in counseling, ethics, interpersonal communications, effective interviewing and the treatment of problems affecting individuals, families, and communities. It also provides internship opportunities where you’ll earn credit while gaining valuable real-world experience

What Can You Do with a Human Services Degree?

The field of human services is broad and encompasses a variety of professions. For every human need—such as access to mental or physical healthcare, food or shelter, or help overcoming substance abuse—there is a human services career designed to meet it. Graduates with human services degrees go on to help children, older adults, victims of abuse and other vulnerable populations to heal and obtain the services they need to thrive. Our graduates work as social workers, substance abuse counselors, probation officers, emergency service managers, caseworkers and grant writers, and in dozens of other helping professions.

Human Services Degree Benefits

You’ll gain many benefits by earning a degree in human services, not the least of which is being prepared to enter a rapidly growing field that offers flexibility—particularly for those with a bachelor's degree in human services—and the opportunity for personal and professional growth. A human services degree is a springboard that opens doors to many in-demand, rewarding careers helping others.

Six Ways to Specialize Your Human Services Degree

The human services program offers six concentrations, giving you the flexibility to pursue a career in any of the following areas:

  • Generalist
  • Substance abuse/chemical dependency
  • Law and human services
  • Child and family practice
  • Family violence
  • Rehabilitation services

You’ll learn by doing in Hilbert’s extensive internship program, which lets you earn college credit while having real-life experiences working with children, adolescents, and other populations in various settings—from drug and alcohol rehabilitation units to schools, social services agencies, hospitals, and other providers. 

Our faculty have extensive experience in a variety of agencies and schools, and are active in related volunteer roles in their communities. The National Association of Social Workers and the Erie County Coalition Against Domestic Violence have cited Hilbert professors for excellence.

Contact Us

Contact us for questions regarding our Human Services Program.

Colleen Kumiega, M.S. ED
Chairperson of Behavioral Sciences Department
Associate Professor & Internship Coordinator,
Human Services
Call: (716) 926-8863
Bogel Hall Room 110
Contact Us

Helpful Links

Careers & Resources 4+1 BS/MS Degree Minors & Concentrations Clubs Faculty 

Human Services Degree Careers

Human services degree holders can choose from dozens of career options. Here are 10 popular human services careers worth exploring from the employment website Indeed:

  • Behavioral therapist
  • Child advocate
  • Grant writer
  • Caseworker
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • Probation officer
  • Social worker
  • Emergency services manager
  • Occupational therapist
  • Mental health nurse

What Is the Typical Human Services Salary?

Individuals who work in human services aren't in it just for the paycheck. Still, depending on the particular job title and level of education required, it’s possible to earn a competitive salary while helping others.  

Overall, the median annual wage for workers in community and social service occupations was $48,410 in May 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760. 

Individuals with a master’s degree in human services generally earn higher salaries, but there are many jobs in the field available to those with a bachelor’s or an associate degree in human services. Consider these popular positions in the human services field*:

 

Substance Abuse Counselor
Median Salary: $48,520
Number of Jobs: 351,000
Projected Growth: 22% from 2021 - 2031

 

Community Health Worker
Median Salary: $48,860
Number of Jobs: 126,700
Projected Growth: 12% from 2021 - 2031

 

Marriage and Family Therapist
Median Salary: $49,880
Number of Jobs: 65,300
Projected Growth: 14% from 2021 - 2031

 

Social Worker
Median Salary: $50,390
Number of Jobs: 708,100
Projected Growth: 9% from 2021 - 2031

 

School and Career Counselor
Median Salary: $60,510
Number of Jobs: 336,000
Projected Growth: 10% from 2021 - 2031

 

Occupational Therapist
Median Salary: $85,570
Number of Jobs: 133,900
Projected Growth: 14% from 2021 to 2031

*Salary, growth, and job numbers info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Is the Typical Human Services Salary?

Individuals who work in human services aren't in it just for the paycheck. Still, depending on the particular job title and level of education required, it’s possible to earn a competitive salary while helping others.  

Overall, the median annual wage for workers in community and social service occupations was $48,410 in May 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760. 

Individuals with a master’s degree in human services generally earn higher salaries, but there are many jobs in the field available to those with a bachelor’s or an associate degree in human services. Consider these popular positions in the human services field*:

Human Services Degree Job Outlook

The employment outlook for human services jobs is strong. Overall employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 10% between 2021 and 2031, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS. That translates to about 294,600 new jobs over the coming decade. 

In addition to jobs created by growth, opportunities can also arise from the need to replace workers who leave the profession. The BLS predicts an average of 318,400 openings each year due to growth and replacement needs.

Why Choose Hilbert for Your Human Services Degree?

Hilbert offers students interested in pursuing a career in human services three different degree programs and six concentrations to choose from, providing unparalleled flexibility and opportunities for customization. 

Earn Your Associate Degree in Human Services in Two Years

In addition to the four-year bachelor’s-level program and the combined 4+1 program, Hilbert offers a two-year associate degree in human services that prepares you for entry-level positions or to continue studies in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

Earn Your Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Human Services in Five Years

Our innovative BS/MPA 4+1 program lets you earn your bachelor’s degree in human services and a Master of Public Administration: Health Administration in five years, saving you up to two semesters of graduate school. Students are admitted to the program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements, without the need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and begin taking graduate courses in their senior year.

Human Services Degree Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree program take classes and seminars in psychology, sociology, counseling, human services methods, and statistics, as well as general education, writing, and public speaking classes. Juniors and seniors participate in internships and elective courses. 

Human Services, Associate of Arts

Human Services, AA

Freshman Year: Semester One
GS 101 Foundations Seminar
 HS 101 Introduction to Human Services
 EN 101 College Writing
 Gen Ed General Education Module
 PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
Freshman Year: Semester Two
 HS 203 Introduction to Counseling
 SO 101 Introduction to Sociology
 EN 102 Writing in the Humanities
 Gen Ed General Education Module
 COM 151 Public Speaking
Sophomore Year: Semester Three
 HS 210 Human Services Methods
 HS/SO 205 Interpersonal Communication & Effectiveness
 GS 201 Service Learning and Civic Engagement
 HS Elective HS Specialization Course
 PSY Developmental Psychology
Sophomore Year: Semester Four
 HS 360 Internship
 All College All College Elective
 All College All College Elective
  HS Elective HS Specialization Course
 Gen Ed General Education Module

Human Services, Bachelor of Science

Human Services, BS

Freshman Year: Semester One
 GS 101  Foundations Seminar 
 HS 101  Introduction to Human Services
 EN 101  College Writing
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Freshman Year: Semester Two
 PSY 101  Introduction to Psychology
 SO 101  Introduction to Sociology
 EN 102  Writing in the Humanities
 Gen Ed  General Education Elective
 COM 151  Public Speaking 
Sophomore Year: Semester Three
 HS 210  Human Services Methods 
 HS/SO 205  Interpersonal Communication & Effectiveness
 GS 201  Service Learning and Civic Engagement
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Sophomore Year: Semester Four
 HS 203  Introduction to Counseling
 MA 200  Topics in Statistics
 All College  All College Elective
 Liberal Arts  Liberal Arts Elective
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Junior Year: Semester Five
 HS 310  Human Service Ethics
 Elective  Developmental Psychology
 Elective  Writing Centered 
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 PS 402  Junior Symposium
Junior Year: Semester Six
 HS 308  Group Work in Human Services
 HS 311  Organization, Policy & Practice in Human Services
 HS 360  Internship I
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 Liberal Arts  Liberal Arts Elective
Senior Year: Semester Seven
 HS 460  Senior Internship I 
 HS/CJ/PSY 305  Research Methods in Social Sciences
 All College  All College Elective
 All College  All College Elective
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Senior Year: Semester Eight
 HS 430  Senior Seminar 
 HS 461  Senior Internship II
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 Liberal Arts  Liberal Arts Elective
 Gen Ed  General Education Module

Human Services, Bachelor of Science and Master Degree

Human Services, BS/MPA

Freshman Year: Semester One
 GS 101  Foundations Seminar 
 HS 101  Introduction to Human Services
 EN 101  College Writing
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Freshman Year: Semester Two
 PSY 101  Introduction to Psychology
 SO 101  Introduction to Sociology
 EN 102  Writing in the Humanities
 Gen Ed  General Education Elective
 COM 151  Public Speaking 
Sophomore Year: Semester Three
 HS 210  Human Services Methods 
 HS/SO 205  Interpersonal Communication & Effectiveness
 GS 201  Service Learning and Civic Engagement
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Sophomore Year: Semester Four
 HS 203  Introduction to Counseling
 MA 200  Topics in Statistics
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
 Gen Ed  General Education Module
Junior Year: Semester Five
 HS 310  Human Service Ethics
 Elective  Developmental Psychology
 Elective  Writing Centered 
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 PS 402  Junior Symposium
Junior Year: Semester Six
 HS 308  Group Work in Human Services
 HS 311  Organization, Policy & Practice in Human Services
 HS 360  Internship I
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
 HS Elective  HS Specialization/Concentration Course
Senior Year: Semester Seven
 HS 460  Senior Internship I 
 HS/CJ/PSY 305  Research Methods in Social Sciences
 CC 500  Organizational Theory and Mgt.
 MPA 630  Health Care Administration
 MPA 640  Research Methods for MPA 
Senior Year: Semester Eight
 HS 430  Senior Seminar 
 HS 461  Senior Internship II
 CC 510  Program Planning and Evaluation 
 CC 505  Introduction to Graduate Statistics
 MPA 642  Health Care Law and Ethics
Fifth Year: Semester Nine
 CC 515  Finance and Budgeting
 CC 520  Political and Policy Analysis
Fifth Year: Semester Ten
 MPA 627  Human Resource Management 
 MPA 632  Culture of Health Care 
 MPA 637  Marketing and Public Relations 
Fifth Year: Semester Eleven
 MPA 644  Capstone Seminar  

  Printable Major Maps

Grab printable versions of our courses, concentrations, and curriculums through our academic advising page.

Get My PDFs

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a human services degree?

A degree in human services is a springboard to a career in any of a wide variety of areas, including family and children's services, mental health, substance abuse, elder care, or social services.

What is the average human services degree salary?

The median annual wage for workers in community and social service occupations was $48,410 in May 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.

How long is the Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree program?

It takes eight semesters, typically four years, for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in human services. Students who enroll in Hilbert’s innovative combined BS/MPA 4+1 program can earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years. 

What are the benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree in human services?

A bachelor’s in human services is a flexible degree that prepares students to work in any of a wide variety of in-demand helping professions right out of college or to pursue graduate studies in school or private counseling, social work rehabilitation, psychology, sociology, or another related field.


Apply to a Human Services Degree Program at Hilbert College

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