10 Cheapest Online Human Services Certificate Programs 2025

Future social workers and crisis intervention advocates have many ways to launch their careers by earning an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or other credentials. You can even earn a human services certificate to begin entry-level jobs in social work. There are several university and community college degree programs you can complete almost entirely online.

What Is a Human Services Certificate?

The purpose of earning a human services certificate online is to learn the basics of the field of human services. This involves coursework dedicated to topics like substance abuse, counseling adolescents, and case management.

Can I Earn a Human Services Certificate Online?

Yes, you can complete a certificate in human services without taking on-campus classes. Online enrollment allows career changers to study during evenings and weekends to prepare for roles in guidance counseling, patient advocacy, and other full-time positions.

How Much Does an Online Human Services Certificate Cost?

The cost of these programs depends on where you enroll. Community college programs are generally cheaper, but there are also university options ranging from just a few hundred dollars to over $10,000 in total tuition. The longer programs may include internships, community service, and mentorship from experienced human service professionals. Some schools also have scholarships for online students to help cover costs.

How Long Is an Online Human Services Certificate Program?

There are several self-paced online certificates, which may take from just several weeks to two years to complete. Many certificates require only a high school education, and you can complete them within six to 12 months.

Cheapest Human Services Certificate Programs Online

Here are some of the cheapest human services certificate programs online. This section describes each program, including the estimated tuition costs, financial aid options, and accreditation status.

1. Florida Southwestern State College

Florida Southwestern State College offers an affordable human services generalist certificate. It trains graduates to be culturally competent, compassionate, and accountable in their roles as human service assistants. If you enroll in the fall, you could finish the certification within three semesters.

• Estimated tuition cost: $72.03 per credit hour
• Financial aid: About 76% of students graduate debt-free thanks to low costs, grants, and work-study options.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Concord Community College

Concord Community College has an advanced human services certification, which you can complete entirely online, except for its internship requirement. The internship requires eight to 10 hours per week for 15 weeks at a location of your choice. Coursework focuses on topics like addictive behavior treatment, counseling theory, and addiction pharmacology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $76 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for student loan and grant eligibility.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

3. Richmond Community College

Richmond Community College has a one- to two-semester online social and human services certification. This program requires only 18 credit hours (six courses) and covers subjects like interviewing techniques, crisis intervention, and community resources.

• Estimated tuition cost: $76 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You can complete the FAFSA to qualify for loans and needs-based grants.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Community College of Baltimore County

Community College of Baltimore County has a human services generalist certificate, which prepares students for various entry-level behavioral and social science roles. The admission requirements are pretty simple as long as you have a high school diploma or GED and can complete the online application for this 21-credit certification.

• Estimated tuition cost: $171 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This community participates in federal loan programs along with student employment options and veterans' benefits.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College offers several credentials in the field of human services. This includes a technical certificate in human services, available through in-person, online, and hybrid formats. The program requires 31 credit hours and costs about $5,530, including student fees.

• Estimated tuition cost: $178.38 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Eligible students can receive loans, grants, scholarships, and employer-tuition-assistance.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

6. Century College

Century College has two human services certifications, suitable for technicians or volunteers. The program has three start dates: fall, spring, and summer. This hybrid program, located in White Bear Lake, MN, charges less than half of what the nearby University of Minnesota charges for a similar certification.

• Estimated tuition cost: $207 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You can qualify for grants, loans, and scholarships after completing the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Quinsigamond Community College

Quinsigamond Community College has a two-semester certification in human services, consisting of 27 credits and approximately 90% of the courses are online. The first semester curriculum focuses on human services psychology, gerontology, and other fundamental topics, whereas the second term delves into more advanced specializations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $227 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This institution offers emergency-assistance grants, scholarships, and loans.
• Accreditation: NECHE

8. Mount Wachusett Community College

Mount Wachusett Community College has a human services technician certification, designed to prepare students for careers as health educators, child welfare caseworkers, grief counselors, and more. It teaches practical skills related to elder care, juvenile justice, drug abuse rehabilitation, and community outreach.

• Estimated tuition cost: $240.00 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Some Massachusetts residents may qualify for free tuition, while others can apply for FAFSA-related grants and loans.
• Accreditation: NECHE

9. Clarkson College

Clarkson College accepts applications year-round for its three-semester human services certificate. There are some in-person field requirements, but this college structures the program to include flexible online courses for most of the curriculum.

• Estimated tuition cost: $345 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Clarkson College has four financial aid options: loans, grants, scholarships, and student employment.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University charges more for its certification, but the program only takes six months to finish while still offering a useful credential for prospective human service specialists. This program allows students to explore the important dynamics of contemporary social problems, with an emphasis on crisis intervention.

• Estimated tuition cost: $405 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Indiana Wesleyan offers grants, loans, scholarships, and employer reimbursement opportunities.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

Below, we'll discuss how Learn.org ranks the schools on this list. Each certificate program must come from an accredited school with affordable tuition and a strong reputation.

• Accreditation: These schools have institutional or program accreditation from groups like HLC.
• Affordability: The total program costs do not exceed $10,000 altogether.
• Program reputation: These programs receive positive recognition among human service agencies, mental health facilities, and within the academic community.

What To Expect From an Affordable Online Human Services Certificate

These programs teach fundamental psychology principles with an emphasis on areas like counseling, child care, community health, personal care, gerontology, and other human services. Each program has different requirements, but most take about one or two years to finish. Some certificate programs expect students to specialize in these areas and complete a capstone project to demonstrate expertise upon graduation.

FAQs About Low-Cost Human Services Certificates

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding human services and social services certificate programs. These five questions address whether these certifications are worth it, what you can do with them, and future salary expectations.

Is an Online Human Services Certificate Worth It?

This is a worthwhile program if you desire an affordable way to begin your career in health services. Although a certification may not guarantee employment, many graduates can combine this credential with relevant work experience to make themselves marketable for roles in substance abuse counseling, social work, and other rewarding positions.

What Can You Do With a Human Services Certificate?

You can find several human services certificate jobs by exploring any of the major job boards. These positions include case manager, social worker, probation officer, rehabilitation counselor, community outreach specialist, crisis-support worker, youth worker, and behavioral specialist.

Are There Any Free Human Services Certificates?

Most reputable human service programs charge tuition, but there are some free programs available through community colleges and other nonprofit organizations. You can also check your state's department of health and human services to see if they offer individual online courses for free.

What Is the Highest Paying Job in Human Services?

The highest-paying positions in this field are community services manager and community development director. You may have to complete a graduate certificate in human services to stand a better chance of obtaining those roles, but they pay quite well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a community services manager earns a median annual salary of over $78,000.

Can I Transfer Credits Into a Human Services Certification Program?

Yes, some certificate programs will allow transfer credits. This usually covers electives and prerequisite programs. As long as you earn a ''C'' or higher, you can usually transfer courses from an associate degree program over to a human services certification program.

Discover Online Certificate Programs

Learn.org can help you identify the most useful certification programs in any field. This includes human services, social work, healthcare, and many other high-demand areas.