The Bachelor of Human Services Degree
One of the best degrees to earn in order to gain an understanding of the full spectrum of human services careers is a Bachelor of Human Services (BHS) degree. The human services degree is an interdisciplinary study that draws from Psychology, Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice among others in order to create a broad based understanding of the field of Human Services. With this degree you will be able to interview for virtually any entry level position in human services and occasionally some of the more advanced positions. One of the best aspects of this degree is how it will prepare you for virtually any career in the broader category of human services.
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It is important to recognize that due to shifts in the economy, employers are increasingly requiring at least a Bachelor’s degree to even apply for many entry level positions in human services. Often you will find that jobs that once were available to those holding a high school diploma now will require a Bachelor’s degree to even have a chance at an interview. With a Bachelor’s degree you will be able to get interview for entry and mid-level positions in human services agencies. Once you have been able to land a job in human services it will be much easier to promote from within the agency to climb the ladder into advanced positions. Earning a Bachelor’s degree and then entering the workforce is smart way to save money on education and decrease the turn-around time between gaining your education and beginning to earn money.
With a Bachelor’s degree in human services you will be eligible to pursue a career in one of the following positions:
- Eligibility Worker
- Human Services Screener
- Human Services Liaison
- Behavioral Management Aide
- Case Management Aide
- Community Outreach Worker
- Juvenile Court Liaison
- Probation Officer
- Rehabilitation Case Worker
You can find more information on potential careers in human services by going to our page on in-depth career analysis which you can find here:
As with most degrees in the human services field, it is wise to consider a minor in a foreign language. This is an excellent way to increase the chance that your resume stands out to prospective employers. The safe fall back option in terms of foreign language to learn is Spanish due to the large population in the US which speaks Spanish as their first language. If you are interested in learning another language keep in mind that some regions are looking for other languages due to their local immigrant populations. The department of immigration works to ensure that new immigrants are grouped together so they can form communities within various cities and areas around the country. This means your local area may have a need for a specific language based on the particular immigrant group that is placed in your region. If you have already decided where you plan on beginning your career, it is wise to contact some local human services agencies and find out what language is seen as most appealing to prospective employers in that region.
If you plan on working in a career that involves community outreach, “point of contact” front desk positions or any career that has continued direct contact with the community at large, a foreign language is more than just handy, it is often required. As an additional incentive, many state jobs and other agencies will offer a premium to workers who are bi-lingual. Having fluency in a second language is seen as highly desirable by many employers and increasingly is required in certain human services positions.