Why Earn Your Human Services Degree at Saint Leo University?
Saint Leo’s high-demand online human services degree program is an interdisciplinary applied program that promotes service to others. It fosters an understanding of the causes and consequences of individual and social problems and prepares students for rewarding careers in which they can make a positive impact on various communities in need.
The theoretical foundation of the curriculum is systems theory, which provides a framework for understanding human behavior and social service delivery systems. The BA in Human Services program emphasizes the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as an understanding of the principles of interpersonal behavior in the social environment, including the impact of cultural diversity.
Additionally, the curriculum includes an advanced field placement and a comprehensive exam on the students practical knowledge and educational background – both designed to ensure students are fully prepared to embark on successful opportunities within the broad scope of human services.
Instructors in this program come from a wide range of backgrounds and have many years’ worth of practical experience within the varied field of human services, allowing them to communicate this valuable practice to students. Small class sizes offer personal attention from instructors, enabling students to flourish in an online environment.
The online human services degree program emphasizes the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as an understanding of the principles of interpersonal behavior in the social environment, including the impact of cultural diversity.
Learning Experience:
Education Center
Online
Est. Time to Complete:
2-4 years
Credit Hours:
120 hours
Undergraduate Human Services Program Details
This interdisciplinary applied program promotes service to others. This human services degree explores the causes and consequences of individual and social problems, preparing you for a career making positive impacts on various communities in need.
Learn Your Way:
Online, On Campus, or Near You
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What are the on-campus facilities like?
Students who pursue their degrees at Saint Leo’s main campus near sunny Tampa Bay, Florida, join a community of enthusiastic learners just like them.
Human Services students enjoy plenty of engaging learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, as well as exciting departmental events.
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What are the benefits of earning your human services degree online?
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor your course of study to meet your individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.
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Taking online classes has afforded me the opportunity to learn while maintaining a job. They give me some flexibility to study at times that work more cohesively with my schedule and allow me to utilize resources such as the library 24 hours a day.
Bentley Streat | Hayes, VA
Are education centers near you offering human services degree programs?
You may also choose to pursue your degree through one of our education centers, which merge a traditional in-person education with the flexibility to match your lifestyle. Education centers offer eight-week academic terms as well as evening and weekend classes.
Career Outlook
No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.
What skills you will learn?
- Students will become responsible generalist service providers capable of working effectively in entry-level human service positions across a broad range of agencies and institutions
- Students will learn the skills necessary to create helping relationships, and effectively engage in the problem-solving process in those relationships.
- Students will develop and nurture in themselves the ethics, values, beliefs and norms of persons dedicated to helping others.
- Students will develop a desire and a commitment to engage in the life-long process of self-education, self-reflection and self-evaluation; Students will develop a critical awareness of the interplay between individuals and the social, economic, political and historical forces of which they are a part, and an understanding of the interconnectedness of individual and social problems;
- Students enhance competencies and skills required of successful, professional human service providers, in a field placement environment.
- Students will prepare for further study at the graduate level.
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How will you gain real experience?
Internships
With hands-on work, learn the importance of human services in the real world and your ethical responsibilities as a practitioner. Our students have interned at a variety of non-profit, for profit, and government agencies such as Genesis Counseling Center, the YWCA, Transitions Family Violence, Children, Family, and Youth Services, Hampton Department of Human Services (Foster Care), Virginia Beach Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities, York County of Social Services (Senior Care Program), Natasha House, Menchville House, Samaritan House, to name a few.
Research
Work with faculty on research and present at the Southern Organization for Human Services conference and other conferences.
Guest Speakers
Meet recruiters, alumni, and professionals working in the field.
Service Learning Activities
Participate in regional or international active learning experiences that may include presentations from community partners, tour of agency, and community service project for clients, such as visiting the Goodwill, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, Bermuda College, Social Service Agencies in Bermuda, Cuba, etc.,
Job-Ready Prep
Learn essential human services skills such as interviewing, assessment, evaluation, intervention, referral, care coordination, goal setting, group facilitation, writing/documentation, and presenting.
What can you do with an undergraduate human services degree?
Most graduates find entry-level human services positions in profit, not-for-profit and government organizations.
What are the top human services degree jobs?
| Career | Growth | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Caseworker | 12% (Faster than average) | $51,760 per year $24.88 per hour |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | 23% (Much faster than average) | $47,660 per year $22.91 per hour |
| Community Outreach Manger | 15% (Faster than average) | $69,600 per year $33.46 per hour |
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020.
Where are Saint Leo human services graduates now?
Examples of positions held by recent graduates include:
- Veteran's Employment Counselor, Department of Veterans Affairs (class of 2018),
- Senior Family Case Manager, Haven House, ForKids (class of 2018),
- Intake Specialist, Children Protection Services (class of 2018),
- Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Healthy Families (class of 2018)
College of Education & Social Services
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Saint Leo University’s College of Education and Social Services couples a transformative liberal arts tradition with highly specialized training in the education and social services fields. Through close faculty mentorships, practical field internships, and applied learning experiences, we prepare students for careers in education, social work, criminal justice, and human services. Our faculty remain active in their respective fields as researchers and practitioners, giving students close access to a wealth of real-world knowledge and experience.
With the ever-changing needs of today's students, we provide flexible degree programs. These include programs at University Campus and education centers with evening and weekend options, as well as online offerings. These degree programs are grooming the next generation of educators and social service specialists—a new breed of professionals with the talent and resolve to make a difference in the world.
Student Stories
Academically, I majored in marketing and even with how much marketing has evolved socially/digitally since my time at Saint Leo, I use so much of what I learned every single day. My international business courses have absolutely come in handy when doing business in other territories and overseas, knowing when I have to adjust to different standards.
Joey Gandolfo, class of 2008
Saint Leo was a smaller and more intimate environment than many other institutions. That intimacy helped to reinforce the value of building relationships that has stayed with me and benefitted my career.
Davion Cooper, class of 2011
I feel a natural and symbolic connection to the core values of the college and my own Catholic values. Saint Leo really lives up to its reputation for promoting a values-based education through the core values.
Lauren Boos, class of 2019
I think the sense of community at Saint Leo, the teachers, and those working with Saint Leo in many capacities, truly prepare their graduate and undergraduate students to become teachers and administrators. I don’t know of any other university where you get that sense of community. Even with the online programs, there is that feeling of being a part of the community.
Mike Lastra, class of 2015
My experience at Saint Leo was amazing. I had the flexibility to learn from home, while at the same time, having an available teacher to help me when I became stuck or confused. The fact that I completed my degree while working full time, raising two little kids, and being a wife to my husband. The focus that I had while completing my degree, to me, is a huge accomplishment.
Retania Patterson | Online Health Care Management Program
News
Accreditation
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
