What You'll Learn
You’re the kind of person who sees a problem and fixes it. You want to make the world better for your family, your friends, and your community. You may even see it as your calling. Without a degree, though, it’s difficult to make that calling a career.
Calvin’s Human Services degree is built for adult learners just like you. Not only will the program give you the opportunity to develop the skills you need to serve others well, it’s also designed with busy schedules and competing priorities in mind.
Through this interdisciplinary major, you will examine societal tensions and the root causes of suffering and injustice. You will also learn about human relationships and behavior dynamics, focusing on communications that facilitate meaningful change. With a degree in Human Services, you’ll be equipped to become a world-changer, fulfilling your dream to impact the people around you for good.
This program, grounded in a Christian perspective, will equip you with the skills you need to serve others compassionately and effectively.
What Makes This Program Great
- Degree completion program designed for adults who started a degree (around 60 credits already completed) and are ready to finish it
- Gain the credentials that you need to advance in your career field
- Pairs knowledge of societal structures and human behavior with practical social work skills
- Scheduled to work around family and job responsibilities, with a mix of online courses and evening classes on campus alongside a cohort of students
- Faith-based perspective that emphasizes the value of each person and the call to servant leadership
Snapshot
Course Format
Hybrid: weekly evening class on campus. Online during the summer.
Learning Model
Cohort based, take major courses together with a community of learners.
Average Completion Time
2.5 years when transferring with 60 credits.
Cost Per Credit
$570 (estimated tuition rate for 2025-26). Financial aid available.
Application Deadline
Rolling admission, but the deadline to apply is two weeks prior to the start of fall term.
Credit for Prior Learning
Earn credit for learning acquired outside the classroom. Ask your advisor how.
Program Requirements
Foundational Courses (6 credits)
SOC 151 - Sociological Principles & Perspectives
PSYC 151 - Introductory Psychology
Human Services Context
SOWK 220 - Introduction to Human Services
SOWK 350 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment
SOWK 370 - The Helping Interview
SOWK 370L - Interviewing Lab
SOWK 371 - Generalist Practice with Individuals
SOWK 373 - Generalist Practice with Families and Groups
SOWK 374 - Practice with Organizations and Communities
GCS 391 - Leading Through Change
Understanding Politics & Policy (take 1 course)
SOWK 365 - Social Problems & Policy
SOC 303 - Criminology
SOC 202 - Urban Sociology
POLS 209 - Public and Non-Profit Administration
Understanding Diversity & Difference (take 1 course)
SOC 231 - Intercultural Communication
SOWK 260 - Global Issues and Perspectives
SOC 250 - Diversity and Inequality in the United States
Career Preparation (take 1 course)
GCS 300 - Career Exploration
GCS 380 - Internship for Continuing Studies
FAQs
A bachelor’s degree will prepare you to work in a variety of occupations because of the critical thinking, writing, and reading skills you will gain.
With a degree in human services, you can apply for positions in many fields. You can also pursue more education for further specialization. Featured careers include, but are not limited to:
Social and Community Service Manager
- Median wages in Michigan = $79,370
- Projected growth in Michigan = 13%
- Projected annual job openings (2020-2030) in Michigan = 500
Social and Human Service Assistant
- Median wages in Michigan = $36,260
- Projected growth in Michigan (2020-2030) = 17%
- Projected annual job openings (2020-2030) in Michigan = 1,490
Community and Social Service Specialist
- Median wages in Michigan = $47,230
- Projected growth in Michigan (2020-2030) = 15%
- Projected annual job openings (2020-2030) in Michigan = 220
Community Health Worker
- Median wages in Michigan = $48,200
- Projected growth in Michigan (2020-2030) = 21%
- Projected annual job openings (2020-2030) in Michigan = 230
Healthcare Social Worker (may require MSW in some areas)
- Median wages in Michigan = $62,880
- Projected growth in Michigan (2020-2030) = 12%
- Projected annual job openings (2020-2030) in Michigan = 640
Give us a call at 616-526-6231 or email continuingstudies@calvin.edu. We’ll begin with an intake appointment where we review your transcripts, hear about your goals, and build a customized plan. If our programs sound right for you, apply!
You can visit calvin.edu/admissions/apply and start your application. Beforehand, we encourage you to get a few things together—send your unofficial transcripts to continuingstudies@calvin.edu and meet with an advisor.
Students may begin in the fall or the spring semesters. You’ll work with your advisor to determine the best time based on your transfer credits and life circumstances.
