Quick Highlights:
- Our #1 ranked school for an online PhD in human services is University of Connecticut, followed by Liberty University.
- Online Ph.D. programs in human services are designed to develop leaders and researchers in fields that help communities.
- These programs often include specialized tracks such as human service leadership, professional practice, and research skills.
- Typical courses cover ethics, theory, and leadership with practical applications through projects or dissertations.
Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey’s chocolate, once said, “business is a matter of human service.” The field of human services is, at its core, built on compassion for others. If helping others excites you and you want to become a dynamic leader in implementing programs that improve lives, strengthen your community, and impact the world, then a Ph.D. in human services may be the career path for you.
With the recent Coronavirus pandemic, human service professionals are needed more than ever. People all over the world are impacted by this pandemic and may need physical, mental, or emotional help. A human service degree equips students to serve clients in a variety of settings. For example, human service professionals may work with social workers, detectives, physicians, and other specialists to help overcome challenges and improve lives.
Last updated: February 11, 2025
What Are the Best Online PhDs in Human Services?
At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. To supply you with the best of the best in PhDs in Human Services degree programs, we considered the following points when compiling this list, such as:
- Prepares graduates for career advancement in Human Services.
- The school’s ability to provide a quality PhD degree program in the field of Human Services,
- Offering various learning degree formats, such as online, on-campus, or hybrid coursework,
- Taught by professionals in the field of Human Services,
- Offers financial aid opportunities, such as federal loans, scholarships, and grants,
- Displays proper accreditation, pursuant to the field of Human Services,
- Prepares graduates for career advancement in Human Services.
Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@www.collegerank.net.
University of Connecticut
Founded in 1881, the University of Connecticut, fondly known as UConn, is located in Storrs, Connecticut. Currently, UConn offers over 100 academic programs to its 32,000+ students.
UConn ranks among the Top 25 Public Universities in the Nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges, 2020. Check out the lengthy list of well-known UConn alumni, ranging from athletes and entertainers to innovators and leaders.
UConn’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a Ph.D. in human development and family sciences where students study theory, develop and evaluate intervention/prevention programs, and conduct research on how individuals adapt within their social and family environments throughout their lifespan.
This program opens doors to a myriad of career opportunities in research, academia, consulting, and more. The research interests of the faculty and Ph.D. students overlap in five areas:
- Adulthood, aging, and gerontology
- Child and adolescent development
- Couples, parents, and families
- Diversity and culture
- Health, wellbeing, and prevention
With this Ph.D., you can also earn a number of certificates in various topics, including culture, health, and human development; program evaluation; and quantitative research methods, to name a few. You can expect to take 50-60 credit hours to complete this program, which includes required courses, methodology courses, specialization courses, and practicum experiences. The application for this program is due December 15 to start the following fall semester.
Liberty University
Born in 1971, Liberty University is an evangelical liberal arts institution with 17 colleges and schools, more than 600 academic programs, and over 100,000 students! Over 400 of these programs are online and available around the world.
Liberty’s sophisticated digital resources, including more than 750,000 electronic books, articles, and journals, are all in the hands of students. Liberty is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
From the School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty’s Ed.D. in community care and counseling’s goal is to immerse students in emerging trends in the field with innovative insights into Christian ministry, counseling, and treatments. You will be able to choose a specialization in traumatology, pastoral care and counseling, or marriage and family. This program entails 57 credit hours that students complete through online 8-week courses.
As a doctoral student in this program, you will be able to publish academic research and pursue college-level teaching. Careers include counseling, social work, and ministry-related human services. To apply, you need a master’s degree with a 3.0 or above in counseling, human services, or a related field. If your master’s degree is in another area, you may need to complete additional graduate prerequisite courses.
Capella University
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and open since 1993, Capella University is an online university that has been perfecting its craft through the years and now offers 53 degree programs in two online learning formats.
Its 38,000+ students can choose from the GUIDEDPATH or FLEXPATH formats, depending on their learning preferences. While this is an online school, the programs are acclimated so students will feel connected and not isolated.
With 25 years of online doctoral education, Capella University understands “the unique needs of doctoral students, and has designed its programs to meet those needs.” The Ph.D. in Human Services program will expand your knowledge and skills in human service leadership, professional practice, and research.
This online program includes nine core courses, three specialization courses, and five doctoral courses. To apply, you need a master’s degree in human services or related with a minimum 3.0 GPA. However, GRE or GMAT scores are not required.
Ashford University
With its motto, “An education that takes you from dreaming to doing,” Ashford University, an accredited online university in San Diego, California, offers more than 80 degree programs online.
Ashford’s online programs are available to a wide variety of nearly 8,000 students who live all over the world. Ashford is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Ashford University’s Ph.D. in human services provides you with the extensive knowledge needed to operate human service organizations. This program totals 62 credit hours, which consist of 11 core classes, one elective research course, five specialization courses, and a capstone seminar. The doctoral dissertation includes two planning courses and five dissertation courses.
You can also add one of three specializations: mental health administration, nonprofit management, or standard human services. Each class spans from 6 to 9 weeks and is 100% online. Ashford accepts students into this program on conditional, provisional, or full-standing levels, which are dependent on the sequence of completed coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions
A PhD in Human Services is a doctoral-level academic degree that focuses on advanced study and research in the field of human services. Human services cover a broad range of professions aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and communities. A PhD program includes coursework, research, and the completion of a dissertation. Typical courses cover advanced theories, ethics, and leadership in human services.
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is research-focused, emphasizing original research and leading to academic or research careers. A DHS (Doctor of Human Services) is practitioner-oriented, focusing on advanced practice and leadership in human services. The DHS can include a dissertation or applied project catering to professionals in the field.
With a PhD in Human Services, you can pursue roles such as:
• Clinical Director
• Government Advisor
• Human Services Consultant
• Nonprofit Executive
• Policy Analyst
• Program Director
• Research Scientist
• Senior Leadership Positions in Human Services Organizations
• Social Services Administrator
• University Professor
An online PhD in Human Services takes around 3 to 7 years to complete. Factors influencing the timeline include program structure, individual progress, and dissertation completion. Part-time options are common for working students, allowing flexibility in balancing studies with existing commitments.
Salaries vary for graduates of PhD in Human Services programs. Things like experience, location, and specific roles impact what you make. But the average range is from $70,000 to $120,000 or more. University professors, researchers, and high-level administrators make higher salaries, while those in direct service roles earn at the lower end of the range.
Yes, a human services degree is useful if you’re seeking careers focused on helping individuals and communities. It provides skills in counseling, social work, and program management. Graduates can pursue roles in social services, non-profits, healthcare, and education, making a positive impact on people’s lives and addressing societal needs.
Highest-paying jobs in human services inSlude executive and leadership positions. Roles such as Nonprofit CEO, Executive Director of a social services organization, or Director of Human Services can command the highest salaries, more than $200,000/year.
No, a human services degree is not the same as social work, although they share some similarities. Human services is a broader field that includes professions focused on helping individuals and communities. Social work is a specific profession within human services, emphasizing clinical practice, advocacy, and social justice.
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