Skip to content Skip to Live Chat

Bachelor of Science

Health and Human Services

OVERVIEW

An Online Health Services Degree That Sets You Up
For Success 


 

Professionals with skills in health and human services are some of the most in-demand workers around—prepared with a B.S. in Health and Human Services degree from WGU, you can be too. This degree is your step forward to a career where you can help people live better and healthier lives and drive optimal community outcomes. 

The Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services degree will prepare you to drive change in the field of healthcare as well as facilitate changes in your community. You'll be equipped to advocate for patients and clients in a variety of settings. You'll also be armed with the latest theories on:

  • Value based care systems
  • Community and public health strategies
  • Communication of health plan information to patients
  • Promotion of client centered holistic care
  • Strategies on how to be a change agent for integrated care management

Compare this degree: The B.S. Health and Human Services program is one of many undergraduate degrees at WGU. Not sure this is the right program for you? You may also be interested in our B.S. Business – Healthcare Management degree program, or our B.S. in Health Information Management degree program.

95%* of graduates finish similar programs faster than the traditional 

4 years

WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance when you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.

*WGU Internal Data

Tuition per six-month term is

$4,085

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students reduce the ultimate cost of their degrees. Finish faster, pay less!

Graduates who recommend WGU

97%

The vast majority of alumni say WGU delivered on its promises. In fact, over 50% of students found WGU thanks to a friend's recommendation.

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?

Next Start Date: {{startdate}}

Start Dates the 1st of Every Month

COURSES

Health and Human Services Courses

Program consists of 35 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff. This program features scaffolded learning throughout the standard path, requiring the standard path order to be followed for optimal student success outcomes. 

WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services curriculum was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the professionals on our Health Professions Program Council, ensuring that you learn important healthcare best practices and keep up with the latest trends in the industry—the kind of expertise you need for a successful career in health services. 

Courses in this program provide you with realistic experiences as a health services professional via virtual simulation. You’ll gain field experience in a variety of contexts, depending on your professional career goals in the health services industry. 

The health and human services program prepares students for responsibilities in patient-focused health care, leadership, communication, cultural awareness, person-centered care coordination, and more. 

The B.S. in Health and Human Services program is an all-online program that you'll complete by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. 

Health and Human Services
Health Sciences
Healthcare Management
Leadership and Management Specialty
Professional Practice Experience
Health Information Technology
Foundations of Success
General Education
General Science Content
Capstone

35 Courses

Program consists of 35 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Capstone Project

Special requirements for this program

At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a field experience project applicable to the field of health services that aims to expand the body of knowledge in the profession. Most of your courses can be accelerated based on your prior knowledge and hard work. 

“The completion of my WGU BS degree has motivated both my children to go back to school and finish their degrees. They're saying 'well if Mom can do it.' I am happy at this point in my life to be able to still influence my children in a positive way."

—Jayne Harrower
B.S. Health Services Coordination

WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference

Traditional Universities

 

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Traditional Universities

 

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

TUITION STRUCTURE

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

SUPPORT

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

EXAMS

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

SCHEDULE

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

TIME TO FINISH

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

TRANSFER CREDITS

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Why WGU?

You Aren't On Your Own

WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you chart your courses, answer your questions, and ensure you can go through your program. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.

Flexibility You Need

Students choose WGU for their online degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.

Strong Alumni Network

When you enroll in this healthcare program at WGU, you join an impressive network of healthcare professionals.

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

COST & TIME

An Affordable Healthcare Degree

By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.

Tuition Calculator
Pay less by completing your program faster
TOTAL COST:
$
0
.
5
1
1
.
5
2
2
.
5
3
3
.
5
4
YEARS

A Health and Human Services Bachelor's Degree Is Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. 

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

A Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Services  Designed to Fit Your Life

Online. Flexible. Student-obsessed. There are lots of things that make our programs a great fit for today’s working students—and that make WGU a different kind of university. 
 
Our degree programs allow you to speed up your progress—no waiting for other class members to catch up or for a new semester to start. Taking a course covering concepts you’ve been applying for years? Review the online course material, take the online assessment, and move on. Taking a course in a subject you’ve never tried? Maximize all available resources to ensure you’re comfortable with the material by the time you take the assessment.

" I had a great educational experience at WGU, and the course instructors had a positive impact on the study curriculum. Each course was very organized, easy to follow and learn, and the educators are very attentive. I gained a greater understanding of research that is aimed at establishing facts and quality improvement.”

—Nasiba Ruziyeva
B.S. Nursing RN-BSN

CAREER OUTLOOK

Choose a Profession Where Patient Care and Health Management Go Hand in Hand

There are many roles in the healthcare field that involve helping patients, without directly caring for their medical needs. With a health and human services degree, you can work with exciting and diverse teams, bringing support to many and making an impact on lives and communities.   
This program prepares you for responsibilities in:

  • Patient-focused health care
  • Leadership, communication
  • Cultural awareness
  • Person-centered care coordination

After earning your degree, you’ll be able to work directly with patients and families to provide support, address early intervention issues, develop a process to intervene with high-risk patients, identify and close patient care gaps, provide outreach to patients, coordinate care transitions, develop a process for medication reconciliation and adherence, and coordinate referrals and test results.

Return on Your Investment

On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

12%

The number of positions for health educators and community health workers is expected to grow 12% from 2021 to 2031.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gain an Advantage in Today’s Fast-Growing Patient Care and Coordination Professions

WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services is designed to give you a competitive edge in today’s fast-growing patient care and coordination job market. This program incorporates several career-boosting competencies, including courses in the areas of substance abuse, epidemiology, cultural awareness and diversity, equity and inclusion, pediatrics, care of aging adults, and more. 
The B.S. in Health and Human Services degree prepares you to stand out in the job market by utilizing a cutting-edge technology platform that simulates in-person field experience. The result? You get hands-on experience, without the time commitment of an internship. If you choose to advance your career even further, this degree program lays the perfect foundation for a future MBA in Healthcare Management, a Master of Health Leadership, or a Master of Health Administration degree. And with additional preparation, the B.S. in Health and Human Services can help you sit to become a Board Certified Patient Advocate.

Possible Jobs

Possible Work Settings

  • Acute Care Hospital
  • Nursing Home
  • Extended Stay Facilities
  • Home Care
  • Wellness and Outreach

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

Hospitals and clinics around the country know the benefit of a degree from WGU, so your healthcare degree is valuable.

ADMISSIONS

Bachelor of Health and Human Services Admission Requirements

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following:

  • Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. 
  • Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
  • Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Previous misdemeanor or felony convictions may affect eligibility for healthcare employment.

Safety Notice: WGU and the Leavitt School of Health are committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all patients, community members, and key stakeholders that interact with WGU students at various clinical/host sites. Interactions might include direct patient interaction, observation experiences, laboratory experiences, project development, or conducting research.  

Get Your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.

Transfer Credits

Get Added Support and Flexibility as You Start Your Degree 
Take a course or two at your pace before committing to a full degree program. Strengthen your study habits, gain essential learning skills and, best of all, each completed course counts toward your degree requirements. 

Learn More about Pathways to Starting

Learn more about the B.S. Health and Human Services admission progress and program.

More About the Health and Human Services Program

The goal of health and human services is to support people's health and basic needs. As a health and human services professional, you’ll work with community members and business leaders to provide critical services to your community. This can include health education, substance abuse counseling, mental health services, nutrition services, and more.

Job opportunities for health and human service majors include:

  • Case Manager
  • Patient Advocate  
  • Community Treatment Specialist  
  • Family and Human Development Worker  
  • Health Educator  
  • Human Services Manager
  • Mental Health Aid
  • Public Health Educator
  • Social and Community Services Manager

If you want to pursue more advanced roles in health services, you have the option of earning a master’s degree in health leadership and relevant certifications.

To work in health services, most employers will want you to have a bachelor’s degree in health and human services or a related healthcare degree. After you gain experience working in your field, you can advance your career with a master’s degree in health leadership.  

A health and human service degree prepares students to work in the healthcare field as a coordinator, manager, patient-advocate and more. These careers involve working with patients to help them understand and get the care with providers that they need.

Many find working in the field of health and human services management very fulfilling. Working to ensure healthcare facilities run smoothly, people in this field make a difference in the lives of doctors, nurses, and patients.

The degree was developed with financial support from the Merkin Family Foundation and is possible thanks to the following expert panel members:

  • Nancy A. Myers, PhD – Vice President, Leadership and System Innovation Health Research & Educational Trust, American Hospital Association   
  • Cassie J. Alexander – Program Director, Public Health Technology, Itawamba Community College
  • David Wagner, MHCM – Chief Compliance Officer, Genuine Health Group
  • Colleen Swedberg, MSN, RN, CNL – Vice President of Strategy, St. Vincent’s Health Partners
  • Denise Patriaco, RN, APN-C – Administrative Director, Accountable Care Organization, Hackensack University Medical Center
  • Johnpaul King RN, MSN – Nursing Director, Affinity Living Group    
  • Cindy Tack, LCSW, MS – Senior Director, Clinical Initiatives, MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization
  • Charisse N. Hunter, MHA, RN – Vice President, Population Health, Somatus, Inc

Completion of this program awards the honor of “Dr. Richard Merkin Scholar."

This honor appears on the academic transcript or the certificate of completion depending on the program and acknowledges the achievement of specific skills related to key contemporary concepts for the transformation of healthcare. Graduates of such programs may use the email tagline “Dr. Richard Merkin Scholar” in addition to including it in resumes, CVs, bios, and social media professional profiles.

Dr. Richard Merkin has been a pioneer in healthcare innovation and transformation. Richard Merkin, M.D. is the CEO and founder of the Heritage Provider Network. He has focused on the efficient delivery of high quality patient outcomes while emphasizing early and preventative interventions. Under his stewardship, the Heritage Provider Network has become the largest physician-owned and operated integrated healthcare delivery system in the United States with over 50 related healthcare companies.

Dr. Richard Merkin scholars demonstrate competency in many cutting edge areas including:
• Decision-Making with Evidence-Based Practice
• Helping Individuals and Families Meet Healthcare Goals
• Transition of Care
• Care Planning and Service Delivery

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?