Human Services, General.

Degree Overview

Human Services, General (CIP 44.0000) is a people-centered social services field focused on helping individuals, families, and communities meet basic needs, overcome challenges, and improve quality of life. This degree prepares students to work directly with people facing social, economic, behavioral, or life-transition difficulties, using support services, advocacy, and coordinated care rather than clinical treatment alone. Human services professionals operate at the front lines of social support systems, connecting people to resources and helping them navigate complex institutions.

For a degree search site, Human Services, General represents compassion paired with practicality. Communities increasingly rely on trained human services professionals to address issues such as housing instability, mental health access, substance use, family support, disability services, aging, and crisis intervention. This degree appeals to students who want a mission-driven career focused on helping others in tangible, everyday ways without necessarily pursuing advanced clinical licensure.

What Is a Human Services Degree?

A Human Services, General degree is an academic and applied program that prepares students to support individuals and groups through direct services, advocacy, and coordination of care. Unlike psychology or social work degrees that may focus heavily on theory or therapy, human services emphasizes practical support, case coordination, and community-based assistance.

This degree typically focuses on:

• Understanding human needs across the lifespan
• Delivering direct support and assistance
• Navigating social service systems
• Advocating for clients and communities
• Ethical and professional service delivery

Colleges and universities offer this degree to:

• Prepare students for entry-level and mid-level helping roles
• Address workforce needs in social and community services
• Support prevention, intervention, and support programs
• Provide a pathway into social work, counseling, or public service

Human Services, General is one of the most flexible and widely applicable helping-profession degrees.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how social service systems operate and how professionals support people facing life challenges. You’ll study human development, social policy, communication skills, and ethical practice while gaining experience working with diverse populations. The focus is on practical problem-solving, empathy, and coordination rather than diagnosis or treatment.

You’ll also learn how to collaborate with healthcare providers, educators, social workers, and community organizations.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Client support and advocacy—helping individuals access resources
• Case management fundamentals—coordinating services and follow-up
• Interpersonal communication—active listening and rapport-building
• Crisis recognition and response—identifying urgent needs
• Cultural competence—working with diverse communities
• Ethical and professional practice—confidentiality and boundaries
• Documentation and recordkeeping—accurate service records
• Collaboration and teamwork—working across service systems

These skills are essential in nonprofit, healthcare, and community-based settings.

Topics You May Explore

Coursework in a human services program commonly includes:

• Introduction to Human Services: roles and systems
• Human Growth and Development: lifespan perspectives
• Social Welfare and Public Policy: service frameworks
• Case Management and Service Coordination: client support models
• Counseling and Helping Skills: communication techniques
• Ethics in Human Services: professional standards
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health: support approaches
• Family and Community Systems: social environments
• Practicum or Internship: supervised field experience

Many programs emphasize applied learning through community placements.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Human Services, General degree prepares students for direct service and support roles in a wide range of settings. Advancement often comes with experience or further education.

Common career paths include:

• Human Services or Social Services Assistant: client support roles
• Case Manager or Care Coordinator: service navigation
• Community Outreach or Program Assistant: nonprofit services
• Behavioral Health or Support Technician: supervised care roles
• Family, Youth, or Aging Services Worker: population-specific support
• Residential or Shelter Services Coordinator: housing and crisis support
• Advancement or Transfer Path: social work, counseling, public administration

Some roles require additional certifications or supervised experience.

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in organizations that provide direct community support:

• Nonprofit and community service organizations
• Healthcare and behavioral health facilities
• Schools and educational support programs
• Government and social service agencies
• Substance abuse and recovery programs
• Housing, shelter, and reentry services
• Disability, aging, and family service agencies

Human services professionals are often the connection point between people and systems.

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary by role, setting, and location.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level human services roles: often $32,000–$45,000
• Case managers or coordinators: commonly $40,000–$60,000
• Supervisory or specialized support roles: can reach $60,000–$75,000+

Public and nonprofit roles may also offer strong mission alignment and benefits.

Is This Degree Hard?

Human Services, General is considered moderately challenging emotionally and academically. Coursework is accessible, but the work requires empathy, resilience, and professionalism. Students must learn to support others while maintaining boundaries and ethical standards.

The challenge lies in managing emotional demands while delivering consistent, effective support.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Want to help people improve their lives
• Enjoy working directly with individuals and communities
• Are interested in social justice and advocacy
• Prefer applied, people-centered work
• Want a flexible degree with many service-oriented career options

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a human services program:

• Take psychology, sociology, and social science courses
• Develop strong communication and empathy skills
• Volunteer with community, youth, or support organizations
• Learn about social issues and public service systems
• Practice responsibility, professionalism, and teamwork

Human Services, General (CIP 44.0000) is a practical and purpose-driven degree for students who want to make a real difference in people’s lives. It provides hands-on skills, broad career flexibility, and direct pathways into community support roles that strengthen individuals, families, and society as a whole.