Major Takeaways:
- An online associate degree in human and social services provides an accessible, affordable foundation for starting a career helping individuals, families, and communities, with opportunities to later pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- Programs like those at Purdue University Global, Thomas Edison State University, Penn State World Campus, and Minot State University offer flexible, accredited online options tailored for entry-level human services careers and further academic advancement.
- Graduates can qualify for a range of meaningful entry-level roles—such as social work assistants, case management aides, and substance abuse counselors—with salaries varying by specialty, employer type, and location.
- Earning an associate degree online in human services offers not just financial and scheduling flexibility, but also career growth potential through certifications, hands-on experience, and pathways to higher degrees.
The best online associate degrees in Social Work are an excellent introduction to the field of human and social services to start your career. Usually, these programs are open to any student with at least a high school diploma. If you have a GED, you are most likely able to enroll as well.
An online associate degree in human and social services will prepare you for beginner careers. There are many different career paths you can take. This includes working with individuals or groups. You can even work with entire communities. Some workers focus on helping children. Others work with the elderly.
Earnings for entry-level positions in human and social services aren’t as high as other careers. However, the pay is good for jobs that only require a two-year degree. Another benefit of getting a two-year degree is that the credits often apply toward completing a bachelor’s degree. If you aren’t able or ready to get a bachelor’s degree in social work, you might consider getting a two-year degree first. Even if you decide to work for a few years before finishing your four-year degree, the credits you earn now should apply.
Related:
- How to Become a Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM)
- How to Become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (CHP-SW)
- How to Become a Certified Advanced Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-ACYFSW)
- How to Become a Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS)
How We Ranked the Best Human Services Associates Online Programs
To rank the best online human services associate degree programs, the editors of Social Work Degree Center researched programs from accredited, trusted programs across the US. Programs are ranked by their cost, student reviews, and average alumni salary, using data from IPEDS and Niche.
1. Purdue University Global
The AA in Human Services degree from Purdue University Global is an online associate’s degree that allows students to gain the skills and knowledge needed to assess the circumstances of some of society’s most vulnerable populations. This online associate in human services program teaches students the basics of human services. Students take classes in general theory, common practices, and also significant trends. The 90 credit hour program takes about 15 hours per week over ten weeks and credits can even count toward obtaining a global bachelor’s degree from Purdue.
Purdue Global is the online school of Purdue University. As one of the top schools in the country for online learning, it offers plenty of grants, scholarships, and also financial aid programs. The human services associate online program is a member of the Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE). Earning an associate in human services online from Purdue Global will help prepare students for a career as a social services specialist, adult services worker, and also a family support worker.
Highlights: Flexible online learning equips students with a solid foundation of human service principles they can apply in industries like mental health, social services, rehabilitation facilities, and also hospitals.
Degree: AAS in Human Services
2. Thomas Edison State University
The AA in Human Services from Thomas Edison University is a sixty-credit human services degree. This social worker associate degree online is for adults in the human services field who want to enrich their knowledge of the practice. Applicants must be currently working in the human services field with a minimum of 6 months or 800 hours of work experience. By the end of the course, students will learn how to define key concepts in the area of study, identify theories of professional practice, understand cultural diversity, and define skills, techniques, and practices agencies need to serve client populations.
Thomas Edison State is a public university in Trenton, New Jersey. The associates in human services online are offered by the John S. Watson school of public service. The school offers seven areas of study, focusing on public service professionals. The program’s mission is to prepare students for leadership roles in a variety of settings in government, non-profit and faith-based organizations.
Highlights: Great for working human services professionals who need a flexible program that will help them learn new skills and accelerate in their careers.
Degree: AA in Human Services
3. Penn State World Campus
The AS in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State World Campus is an online associate in human services degree. The program prepares students for a career that makes a difference in people’s lives. This 60 credit degree program is designed to prepare students with entry-level, professional skills to fulfill roles in the social service and human services sector. Students of the human services associates online program can choose from one of two areas of focus. Either the Adult Development and Aging Services track or the Children, Youth, and Family Services track equips graduates for a particular career specialty.
Penn State World Campus is the online school of Penn State, a public land grant research university in University Park, PA. The school offers more than 150 programs to choose from, as well as a variety of financial aid programs and scholarship options. Courses in this associate in human services online program are taught by some of the leading professionals in the field. In addition, Penn is one of the top providers of online degree programs in the country by US World News.
Highlights: Learn fundamental skills while working within a particular specialization and receive instruction from highly distinguished faculty
Degree: AS in Human Development and Family Studies
4. Minot State University
The AS in Human Services in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from Minot State University is an online degree. The program prepares students for careers as direct support professionals to those with developmental disabilities. In addition to the associates in human services online, students also have the option of pursuing a bachelor’s degree or certificate in the subject as well. Plus, the school provides a direct career ladder to help students land a position in the field after graduation.
Minot State University is a public university in Minot, North Dakota. The MSU online associates in human services program is a partnership with the Department of Education. It provides a curriculum shaped by qualified professionals and ensures that students are well equipped to handle the challenges of working directly with disabled populations. Plus, Minot State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a national agency recognized by the DOE.
Highlights: Learn the skills needed to work with the developmentally disabled and a full career ladder model that will help land you a job right after graduation.
Degree: AS in Human Services: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
5. Waukesha County Technical College
The AAS in Human Services from Waukesha County Technical College is an online associate in human services program that teaches practical career skills to human services professionals. By the end of the program, students will learn behavioral rehabilitation techniques, counseling methods, ethics, and family systems that will help them excel as human services professionals. The 60 credit hour associates in human services online will prepare students to provide resources, counsel, and assistance to individuals and populations, with the goal of enhancing their overall quality of life.
Waukesha County Technical College is a public college in Waukesha, Wisconsin that offers over 150 associate degrees, technical diplomas, apprenticeships, and certificate programs. Their human services associates online program provides a foundation in psychology, sociology, and also social work to prepare students for hands-on work in the field. Plus, the school offers the option to complete the program online or a hybrid including on-campus learning, and offers related programs in developmental disabilities and youth care counseling.
Highlights: A solid foundation in human services theory and the ability to learn on your own schedule
Degree: AAS in Human Services
6. Piedmont Community College
The AAS in Human Services Technology from Piedmont Community College is an online degree. The associate’s in human services program teaches both the theory and practice of human services along with a technological component. The program emphasizes peer interaction and group learning projects. As a result, students can organize and advocate for those with emotional, physical, and also developmental challenges. The associates in human services online program prepares students for entry-level positions. Graduates find jobs in institutions and agencies that provide social, community, and also educational services.
Piedmont Community College is a public community college in Roxboro, NC. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC). Additionally, PCC offers value-packed courses in a variety of in-demand industries, including flexible online programs. This human services associates online also offers specializations in gerontology and substance abuse.
Highlights: High-value education at a low cost and an emphasis on learning human services from a technological perspective
Degree: AAS in Human Services Technology
7. Brescia University
The AA in Human Services from Brescia University is an online degree that helps students change careers and enter the field of human services and social work. The program focuses on crisis counseling and intervention, theory, case management, and also information systems. Through this comprehensive human services associates online, students will learn how to work with individuals. They also train to work with communities of diverse racial, cultural, and also ethnic backgrounds.
Brescia University is a coeducational Catholic university in Owensboro, KY. The university is well-known for its programs in social work, youth services, and also psychology. The online associates in human services prepares grads for entry-level positions at human service agencies. Students benefit from flexible courses and also affordable programs. In addition, students can transfer up to 42 credits from any regionally accredited school.
Highlights: Flexible and affordable program that will equip students with the in-demand skills needed to excel in the field of human services
Degree: AA in Human Services
8. Community College of Denver
The AAS in Human Services at the Community College of Denver is a hybrid in-person and online associate degree. The program equips students with the skills to pursue a career in an entry-level position at a community non-profit or government public assistance agency. Graduates of the program go on to work in settings such as halfway houses, food banks, emergency programs, and also government-sponsored living facilities. In addition, many graduates go on to work as casework aides, social work assistants, and also human services workers.
The Community College of Denver is a public community college in Denver, CO. The school has a focus on underserved, first-generation, and also minority students. The school is fully accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education. Plus, students of the human services associates online program are eligible to apply for federal financial aid or the $1 million dollars in scholarships available through the CCD.
Highlights: Academic support available through the CCD’s Excel Zone and a variety of scholarships and financial aid options
Degree: AAS in Human Services (hybrid)
9. Madison Area Technical College
The Human Services Associate from the Madison Area Technical College is offered in-person, online, and also in a hybrid format. The associates in human services trains students to provide information, support, care, and also advocacy to their work in the field at a human services agency. Students will learn how to better understand social problems and eventually start fieldwork placement within an actual agency. Graduates of the human services associates online often go on to fulfill roles as case managers. Jobs as a substance abuse counselor, community support worker, and outreach worker are also popular choices.
Madison Area Technical College is a public technical and community college based in Madison, WI. The school provides hands-on training in over 150 degree and certificate programs. The associates in human services online is fully accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and Council for Standards in Human Service Education. In addition, it prepares students to apply for the Human Services Board Certified Professional Credential.
Highlights: Full or part-time options available and a curriculum geared toward achieving a high-level board certificate in human services
Degree: Human Services Associate’s (hybrid)
10. SUNY Broome Community College
The AS in Human Services from SUNY Broome Community College is an online associate degree. The human services program is for students who want to transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree in human services, counseling, and also social work. It’s also recommended for professionals already working in the human services field who are interested in continuing education. In addition, the SUNY Broome human services associates online requires students to complete an internship segment. During this work experience in the field, students apply the knowledge they’ve learned in the classroom to real situations.
SUNY Broome Community College is a public community college in Broome County, New York that is part of the New York State University System. The school offers affordable tuition, financial aid programs, and also exceptional faculty and staff. This associates in human services online is available through the School’s Department of Psychology and Human Services, which also offers a similar program in Chemical Dependency Counseling.
Highlights: Affordable tuition and a variety of internship opportunities
Degree: AS in Human Services
11. Elizabethtown College
The AS in Human Services Degree from Elizabethtown College is an online associate in human services. The program gives students an understanding of the underlying issues that influence both individuals and society as a whole. This 64 credit program offers a 10% discount on tuition for alumni and is also available entirely online. Furthermore, those who complete this associate in human services online will leave the program with the knowledge and skills needed to administer or manage services on behalf of vulnerable populations.
Elizabethtown College is a private university in Elizabethtown, PA. The school is well-known for its programs in health professions and also communications. The human services associates online is offered by the university’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies. In addition, there are a variety of need-based financial aid programs, tuition deferment, and also adult learning scholarships available to students.
Highlights: Flexible learning solutions and a variety of financial aid programs available
Degree: AS in Human Services
12. Monroe College
The human services associate degree from Monroe College is completely online. The associates in human services program develops practitioners who are educated and ethical thinkers. Graduates apply those skills to working with children and adults undergoing crises or chronic situations. This associate’s in human services online can be completed in four semesters and offers a variety of networking opportunities with the ability to study online, on-campus, or a combination of both.
Monroe College is a private college with campuses in the Bronx, NY, New Rochelle, and St. Lucia. The human services associate online is offered by the college’s School of Criminal and Social Justice. Plus, it’s part of the National Organization of Human Services, which offers scholarships and yearly conferences. Not to mention, the school has a variety of connections with large human services agencies in the metro New York area.
Highlights: Networking opportunities and the ability to connect with recognized organizations in the community
Degree: Human Services Associate’s
13. Shorter University
The AS in Human Services from Shorter University is an online degree that helps students make a difference in the lives of both individuals and communities. Through the coursework, students will acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to pursue a fruitful career in human services. The human services associates online program offers an accelerated pace, quality instructors, and a long track record of professional excellence.
Shorter University is a private Baptist university in Rome, GA. The school ranks as one of the top online colleges in Georgia. The university offers a variety of financial aid opportunities and benefits for veterans. It ranks as one of the top colleges in the southeast by Princeton Review. The associates in human services online is one of five virtual associates programs offered by the university. In addition, all five programs have accreditation from the SACS-COC.
Highlights: Faith-based curriculum and accelerated course options
Degree: AS in Human Services
14. Wake Technical Community College
The AAS in Human Services Technology at Wake Tech Community College is an online associate in human services. The program prepares students for entry-level positions in both social and community services agencies. In addition to learning developmental knowledge of the industry, students will also have the opportunity to gain fieldwork experience. These opportunities let students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. Students of the human services associates online program can pursue a concentration. They can choose a focus on human services, substance abuse, mental health, and also gerontology.
Wake Technical Community College is a public community college in Raliegh, NC that has accreditation from the SACS -COC. The school maintains six campuses, three training centers, multiple community sites, and also a variety of online learning options. Students can complete the associates in human services online program remotely, in-person, or a combination of both. In addition, students have a variety of career opportunities post-graduation.
Highlights: The opportunity to learn outside the classroom and a variety of specialties to choose from
Degree: AAS in Human Services Technology
15. Eastern Florida State College
The AS in Social and Human Services from Eastern Florida State College is an associate degree in human services online that offers two tracks. Students can choose either aging services or the domestic violence focus. This nine-credit hour online associates in human services courses will prepare students to work with clients in family settings, group settings, or as individuals while fulfilling roles in human services, social work, psychology, or gerontology.
Eastern Florida State College is a public college in Cocoa, Florida. The school offers hundreds of programs including bachelor’s and associate degrees, workforce certificates, and also online programs. In addition, Eastern Florida is the first college in the state to offer Domestic Violence and Aging Services Certificates. Plus, graduates of the human services associates online program also have the option of transferring to Florida State University to continue their education.
Highlights: Specialized certificates in important fields and the ability to transfer credits to a four-year program
Degree: AS in Social and Human Services – Aging Services Track or Domestic Violence Track
16. Cornerstone University
The AS in Human Services from Cornerstone University is an online associate’s in human services that teach foundational concepts like communication and psychology through a faith-based curriculum. This associate’s in human services online boasts a dedicated staff, flexible online learning solutions, and the opportunity to explore entry-level opportunities in fields such as counseling, ministry, career services, non-profit services, and youth worker services.
Cornerstone University is a non-profit non-denominational Christian University in Grand Rapids, MI. The school has accreditation from both the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. The human services associates online prepares students for work in the field. In addition, over ninety percent of alumni agree that the coursework offered by Cornerstone University prepared them for success in the real world.
Highlights: Christian-centered coursework and affordable tuition
Degree: AS in Human Services
17. Metropolitan College of New York
The AA in Human Services from the Metropolitan College of New York is an associate degree in human services online program that allows students to explore the field and related career paths while gaining hands-on experience and practical knowledge. This human services associates online course offers students flexible scheduling, the ability to learn at their own pace, and generous scholarships, financial aid, and internship opportunities.
The Metropolitan College of New York is a private, not-for-profit higher learning institution in New York City that consists of three distinct schools. Their online associates in human services is part of the Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education, which was ranked one of the most affordable schools for human services programs in 2018 and 2019. Plus, students will benefit from world-renown faculty and a wealth of connections to institutions within the local community.
Highlights: Knowledgeable faculty and a variety of competitive internship opportunities.
Degree: AA in Human Services
18. Rasmussen University
The Human Services Associate’s from Rasmussen University is an online associate in human services degree for students seeking non-licensed positions in the field. The curriculum develops a student’s ability to communicate and work with underprivileged populations. Most students complete the program in two years. This human services associates online degree is ideal for those looking for an affordable, yet high-quality program that will also excel your career.
Rasmussen University is a private, for-profit university with multiple locations across the United States, including campuses in Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, Florida, Wisconsin, and more. The school is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and offers a variety of online programs in nursing, health sciences, and also education.
Highlights: Affordable tuition and focus on core skills needed to pursue a career in human services.
Degree: Human Services Associates
19. Franklin Pierce University
The Human Services Associate’s from Franklin Pierce University is an online degree. The associate in human services gives students the option of entering the workforce after graduation or continuing their education with a bachelor’s degree. This 60-hour associates in human services online course will offer students a mix of psychology, social work, and also business courses. Graduates are equipped with the practical skills needed to excel in human services.
Franklin Pierce University is a private university in Rindge, NH. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition, Franklin awards over thirty million in scholarships each year. The university also offers a variety of certificate programs in addition to the human services associates online.
Highlights: Coursework that examines the field from a variety of different angles and scholarship opportunities
Degree: Human Services Associates
20. Bryant & Stratton College
The Human and Social Services Associates from Bryant and Stratton College is an associate’s in human services online program that teaches students how to meet the needs of clients, with a strong emphasis on both ethical and legal procedures. This online associate’s in human services is for those looking to explore a career in crisis intervention, case management, and also social services.
Bryant and Stratton College is a private college based in Albany, NY with campuses in Ohio, Virginia, and also Wisconsin. BSC has accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In addition, the school offers a variety of academic support options, career services, and also continuing education.
Highlights: A personalized educational experience and a high level of support from faculty
Degree: Human and Social Services Associates
Why Should I Get My Associate’s in Human Services Online?
A social worker associate degree online or a human services online associates degree can open the door to many professions across a variety of sectors. The abundance of opportunities is also one of the many reasons why some should consider pursuing an online human services associates degree. In addition to the many opportunities availed by earning a human services associates degree online, are the personal and financial rewards.
An online associates degree in human services often leads to roles that make a difference in the lives of people, families, and also communities. Some jobs for graduates include government agencies, nursing homes, and also assisting social workers. These roles also offer non-monetary benefits. Choosing to pursue an associate degree in human services online can also save students some of those dollars and cents too.
An associates degrees in human services online or on-campus. In addition, the degree is also a practical option for several reasons. First, students can earn this degree at community colleges as an associate of arts. Online classes are similar to social work education and teach foundational knowledge in social sciences and also working with diverse populations. Earning a human service online associate degree can be the first step toward earning certifications and also gives a strong foundation for more advanced degrees. An online human services associate’s degree also allows many working students the ability to maintain job responsibilities while pursuing post-secondary education. Furthermore, earning human services and social worker associate degree online allows for more flexibility and scheduling for students with families and busy lives.
So what exactly can an online associate degree in human services or a social worker associate degree online do? The jobs, careers, and potential income you can expect from a degree varies.
What Can I Do With an Associate in Human Services or A Social Worker Associate Degree Online?
Finding out the types of human services associates degree jobs is one of the first questions every student should ask, and it is also one of the greatest factors in choosing any degree path. Associates degree jobs in human services cover a range of fields. Below are a few of the available jobs with an associate degree in human services or a social worker associate degree online that students may qualify for.
- Case management and support aide
- Community outreach support assistant
- Social work assistant
- Alcohol and drug abuse counselor
- Gerontology aide
- Residential supervisor and counselor
- Social services assistant and advocate
These are only a few of the associates degree in human services jobs available for those seeking these types of positions. Many of these associate degree jobs in human services are entry-level roles. However, they can also provide valuable on-the-job education. This is also advantageous for students because many human services associate degree jobs lead to other opportunities that require work experience.
What Other Skills Do I Need To Work In Social and Human Services?
Jobs with a social worker associate degree online or an associate degree in human services typically involve dealing with people on personal and more intimate levels. That also translates into these associate degrees in human services jobs being personally rewarding, especially when it makes a difference in the lives of others. Jobs with an associate’s degree in human services also provide financial benefits. That of course leads to another commonly asked question regarding the salary and benefits of associate’s degree jobs in human services.
While it isn’t always the only factor, it is always a consideration. Students should investigate the salaries, benefits, and job market attached to human services associate degree jobs. Here is a quick summary of some social worker associate degree online and associate degrees in human services jobs from the financial perspective.
How Much Can I Make With an Associate’s in Human Services?
Many considerations and factors influence a social worker associate degree online or an associate degree in human services salary. A human services associate’s degree salary for a position with a private employer, for example, may vary greatly from that of a government or publicly-funded role. Therefore, an associate in human services salary is also heavily swayed by the type of position.
For example, compare an associate degree in human services salary for a position involving children’s advocacy versus a role in drug and alcohol counseling. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a human services associate degree salary for a child and family social worker position offers a median wage of only $48,430.
Based on numbers from the Labor Bureau, an associate in human services salary for a position as a substance use disorder counselor offers an annual mean wage of $53,870 for employees of health practitioners. Another factor influencing an associate degree in human services salary is regional considerations. Those earning a human services associates degree salary on the West Coast, for example, will earn more due to regional factors such as cost of living.
Many of these roles also require certain certifications or work experience. However, students can earn the education components using online schooling options. Understanding the type of income you can expect is just another important consideration when choosing to earn an online human services associate degree. Furthermore, students interested in entering social work practice or pursuing social work careers can get a great start with a social worker associate degree online.
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