10 Affordable Online Master's in Human Services Programs 2025

Human services professionals gain valuable insight and skills within master's in human services programs. Several dozen schools offer online master's in human services degrees, which enable learners to pursue their degree without commuting to a campus.

Master's in human services jobs include those in community settings, public health, social services, and other fields. The skills developed within a human services program are versatile and can be applied in many different roles. Continue reading to explore the 10 cheapest human services master's online programs.

What Is an Online Master's Degree in Human Services?

An online master's in human services is typically an interdisciplinary program that explores families, individuals, and communities to prepare students for various human services roles. Students may explore concepts such as family dynamics, multicultural diversity, human development, and elder or community care. Some programs allow students to choose some of their classes from relevant electives, so that the master's program better prepares students for their chosen career fields.

How Much Does a Master's in Human Services Online Cost?

Tuition and fees are the two primary costs for most human service master's programs, and tuition is typically charged per credit hour. Students can estimate the cost of a program by reviewing the total credits required and the per-credit tuition. Using the programs on this list, the total tuition can range between $9,000 and $22,000 (fees not included). Programs that qualify for financial aid (scholarships and grants) will be more affordable.

Cheapest Human Services Degrees Online

Human services programs are offered by various schools across the country, but only some of them are available in an online format. The 10 cheapest human services master's degree programs offer flexibility while providing relevant and real-world training.

1. University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) offers an online Master of Arts (MA) with four concentration options:

• child and family studies
• nursing home administration
• gerontology
• social services administration

The program consists of 33 to 36 credits and includes core coursework in social policy, staff development, ethics, and critical perspectives. Students complete an internship within the program, which can be fulfilled near the student's residence.

• Estimated tuition cost: $377 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can locate and apply for various scholarships through the UIS website.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Bryan College

Bryan College offers an MA in human services, lifespan development that consists of 30 credit hours and is available entirely online. Classes are delivered through eight-week terms and include coursework in group dynamics, family and community health, and multicultural awareness. The program is taught from a Christian worldview and prepares students for varying roles working with families, groups, and individuals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for many different scholarships that are offered through the school.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Liberty University

The MA in human services counseling at Liberty University is offered online and is delivered through eight-week accelerated terms. Students can choose one of many degree specialization options, including criminal justice, health/wellness, marriage/family, and military resilience. Foundational courses include those in human development, interpersonal communication, and integration of spirituality and counseling.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit; $290 per credit (military)
• Financial aid: Liberty offers several in-house scholarships and discounts, including a 15% discount for employees of qualifying organizations.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of North Georgia

The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers an online Master of Science (MS) in human services delivery and administration that prepares students for roles in an array of human services fields. The program consists of 33 credit hours and accepts new students every fall term. Classes include human services leadership, program evaluation, legal and ethical issues, and topics in social justice and diversity.

• Estimated tuition cost: $311 per credit
• Financial aid: UNG has several hundred different scholarships available and awarded more than $3 million in the 2024 school year.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama (UNA) offers an online MS in family and community services that consists of 31 credit hours. The program includes coursework in family theories, social policy, family services, and social psychology. Students develop skills and knowledge that can be applied in various human services roles.

• Estimated tuition cost: $495 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for institutional financial aid awards yearly, as well as federal and external aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh (UWO) has an online MS in human services leadership program that is designed to give students an international perspective and a local focus. The 30-credit curriculum includes classes like transcultural leadership, global issues in local communities, and models of social change. Students are encouraged to drive for positive change and impacts within their communities and roles.

• Estimated tuition cost: $537 per credit
• Financial aid: UWO has some in-house aid as well as resources for finding other scholarships from outside sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) offers an online MS in child, youth, and family studies with a concentration in human and family services administration. The program combines family and human services concepts, such as social theories, with business and administrative competencies. Classes include family dynamics, well-being case studies, program management, and human development theories.

• Estimated tuition cost: $383 per credit (in-state); $760 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNL offers dozens of in-house scholarships, including options for out-of-state and international students.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Concordia University, St. Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul offers an online MA in human services that has two concentration options: forensic behavioral health, and trauma, resilience, and self-care strategies. The 36-credit program explores problem-solving, advocacy, ethics, and an array of related valuable skills. Classes include substance abuse topics, research methods, trauma, and cultural awareness.

• Estimated tuition cost: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for several in-house scholarships, such as the military dependents $1,000 award.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Regent University

The MA in human services program at Regent University can be completed entirely online and offers 10 concentration options, including:

• life coaching
• conflict and mediation ministry
• trauma and crisis counseling
• Christian counseling

The 30-credit curriculum includes courses like fundamentals of behavioral science, multicultural awareness, and ethics in human services.

• Estimated tuition cost: $615 per credit
• Financial aid: Students may qualify for scholarships through Regent's donor funds, partnering agencies, or church grants.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University (LR) offers an online MA in human services that enables students to progress at their own pace. Students can choose from three degree specializations: career development, human services management, and addictions counseling. The 33-credit program includes coursework in interventions and human systems, and allows students to complete an internship near their location.

• Estimated tuition cost: $550 per credit
• Financial aid: LR offers several scholarships, including one that is automatically considered when students are admitted.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Our team reviews dozens of programs and chooses which ones to feature based on a list of specific criteria. Program length, cost, admissions requirements, and other characteristics are considered in choosing which programs to include in our rankings.

• Accreditation: All of the schools in our list have institutional accreditation and meet various academic and quality standards.
• Affordability: Each featured school has a tuition rate of around $600 or less, making them more affordable than the average program.
• Program reputation: Graduates develop skills and expertise in human services topics and are taught by experienced faculty.

What To Expect From an Affordable Online Human Services Master's Degree

Many universities offer flexible master's human services online programs, enabling students to advance their careers in a variety of human resources roles. These programs typically integrate evidence-based theories on practice, cultural diversity concepts, ethics for professionals, and topics relating to intervention and community advancement.

Most human services master's degrees take two years to complete, but some schools offer self-paced options so that students can finish faster (or slower) based on their needs. Some programs also have concentration options, so that students can further develop their skills in specific areas. Some concentrations offered in the human services program are addiction counseling, military, mediation, and family.

FAQs About Low-Cost Human Services Master's Degrees

While human services programs vary by school, there are various features that are common among programs. For example, admissions requirements usually include a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, and a specific GPA. Some schools also require students to have some related experience, such as work in fields like case management, social work, or outreach for nonprofit organizations.

What Degree Is Best for Human Services?

The best degree depends on your career paths, but a human services master's degree can be a great foundation for multiple related careers. Some potential careers include social/community service managers, social/community service specialists, and social/human service assistants.

Is an Online Master's in Human Services Degree Worth It?

If you are interested in pursuing a career in social work, mental health, healthcare, or another human services field, a master's degree can both advance your career and strengthen your skillset. In general, master's degree graduates earn higher salaries and are more likely to hold leadership positions.

What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Human Services?

Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the main human services roles are social workers, human service assistants, and community health workers. Social/human service assistants and specialists earn between $30,000 and $62,000, while social/community service managers may earn up to $98,000 per year.

Can You Get a License With a Master's in Human Services?

While a master's in human services is not a licensure-seeking program, graduates possess skills that can be applied in various careers. Human service graduates who want to earn a specific licensure may also apply their master's coursework as transfer credits and obtain the desired licensure sooner.

How Long Is a Master's in Human Services Online Program?

Master's degrees traditionally take two years to complete, allocating 30 to 36 credits across two years of study. However, many schools allow students to take more classes per term and finish their programs sooner, such as in one to 1.5 years.

Discover Online Human Services Degrees

Explore more great human services programs with affordable costs on Learn.org and contact your candidate schools to get started.