10 Top Double Majors With a Human Services Degree

Human services degrees focus on caring for people who need care the most. Adding a double major can help you work with these people in specific situations or work in roles requiring specialized knowledge.

Many different majors can work with human services. Keep reading to discover the best double majors with human services.

Human Services Double Majors

Human services is a field that studies how to help underserved populations. As a result, there are several double majors that go well with a human services degree. We've listed several top double majors with human services.

Psychology

Psychology is a field that examines human behavior and the mental processes that lead to this behavior. There are several fields within psychology, including:

• abnormal psychology
• child psychology
• clinical psychology
• criminal psychology

Psychology and human services pair well together, as they are often intertwined. This major combination could give you a boost in both human services and in psychology or counseling.

Social Work

Social work students also learn how to help underserved populations and people in need. However, they focus more on direct and clinical care. These programs often cover topics like:

• casework
• human behavior
• research
• welfare policies

Combining a major in human services with a major in social work will give you a holistic view of the welfare system. It will give you a greater knowledge base whether you're working directly with individuals or on the administrative side of things.

Public Health

Public health degree programs teach students how to care for the health and well-being of communities and large groups. Topics covered often include:

• epidemiology
• health education
• health policy
• nutrition

A double major in human services and public health is an excellent choice for those who want to focus on improving the health of underserved populations. Graduates may find jobs in governments, nonprofits, or research.

Health Sciences

Health science majors are similar to public health majors, but they study health as a whole rather than health specifically within populations. These degree programs often cover topics like:

• anatomy and physiology
• biology
• health care delivery
• medical terminology

By earning a double major in human services and health sciences, you'll be poised to work in underserved healthcare settings. These may include rural or urban clinics or hospitals.

Education

Education degrees are for those who want to work in the field of education but in roles other than teaching, such as administration. Typically, programs cover topics such as:

• curriculum and instruction
• education theory
• educational leadership
• educational policy

Pairing a major in human services with a major in education will give you the knowledge and skills needed to work in education for underserved communities. You could work in administrative roles or roles in school services or student counseling.

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Criminal justice is a field that focuses on law enforcement and the legal system, while criminology focuses on criminal behavior. Topics included in these programs often include:

• criminal law
• criminal psychology
• law enforcement
• legal systems

With a major in human services and either criminal justice or criminology, you'll bring a unique perspective to the criminal justice system. You can take on roles in law enforcement, corrections, or social services.

Business

Business degrees provide students with a foundation in business principles. They often offer concentrations, such as:

• economics
• finance
• human resources
• marketing

A double major in human services and business will allow you to excel in the business side of human services. Some colleges and universities also offer concentrations in nonprofit management, which pairs well with human services.

Social Justice

Social justice majors study social justice concepts as well as human rights, both current and historical. They often cover social justice as it relates to:

• gender
• race
• sexuality
• socioeconomic status

Many concepts of social justice and human services overlap. With this double major, you'll be equipped with the tools necessary for a career in advocacy.

Human Development

Human development is an area of study that looks at the multitude of things that affect a person as they grow. They'll usually cover topics such as:

• development across the lifespan
• education
• family systems
• mental and physical health

Understanding both human development and human services gives you a broader perspective on human behavior. This is ideal for those who want to work in areas like family outreach and social services.

Emergency Management

Emergency management is a major for those who want to help in emergency settings, such as severe weather or mass shootings. Topics usually include:

• disaster preparednes
• disaster response
• human behavior
• public safety

With a double major in human services and emergency management, you'll be a valuable asset on emergency management teams. You'll have the skills to work with underserved populations when they're hit by disaster.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major is two majors together on one degree. You'll need to fulfill course requirements for both degrees, but can usually choose which final project to do.

Double course requirements can be stressful. However, with proper planning, you can often work out a degree plan that still allows you to finish within normal time.

Double Major vs. Dual Degree

Unlike a double major, a dual degree means you're earning two entirely separate degrees at the same time. This usually takes longer than a double major.

Some students earn dual degrees at the bachelor's level. Others choose a bachelor's-to-master's dual degree, which allows them to earn both degrees in less time than it would take to earn them individually.

One popular dual degree is a bachelor's in human services and a Master of Social Work. This degree allows you to complete both a bachelor's and master's degree at the same time while you focus on learning about social welfare policies and human rights while giving you a chance to apply what you have learned in the field.

FAQs About Double Majoring With Human Services

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about double majoring with human services.

Can You Double Major With Human Services?

Many schools will let you double major with human services. However, requirements and majors allowed will vary between institutions.

Is a Double Major With Human Services Worth It?

Depending on your career goals, a double major with human services may be worthwhile. It can be especially helpful for those who want leadership roles or to work in niche areas of human services.

What Are the Benefits of Double Majoring With Human Services?

For many, the biggest benefit to double majoring with human services is that it can expand your career opportunities beyond typical human services jobs. It can also give you a unique perspective for your career.

Will a Double Major With Human Services Improve My Career Outlook?

It is very possible that a double major with human services will improve your career outlook. It can give you valuable skills that employers are looking for as well as open doors to a greater variety of career paths.