Human services is a collaborative field focused on addressing societal challenges and promoting social justice, especially for underserved communities. This blog explores degree options, career paths and how human services differ from social work.
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Approved and verified accurate by the social work executive Director of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on March 18, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Although human services and social work may be considered separate fields, there is considerable overlap. In fact, social work is typically defined as a subfield of human services.
Human services is quite broad and focuses on various societal problems. It is an interdisciplinary field that involves the delivery of social assistance programs and services designed to meet a wide array of human needs. This might include anything from food and shelter to counseling services and substance use treatment.
Human services professionals work toward the remediation and prevention of common human problems. These include homelessness and housing insecurity, food insecurity, mental health challenges, at-risk children, children in foster care and substance use disorder.
Similarly, the social work field is interdisciplinary and focuses on empowering people, families and communities and enhancing overall well-being.
The most significant difference between human services and social work is the scope. The human services field encompasses a broad range of professions with different settings and goals. Human services workers offer entry-level positions across fields and many do not require licensure, unlike social workers.
And although both fields aim to solve societal problems, social workers generally focus on empowering marginalized populations, such as people affected by poverty, unemployment, hate crimes, domestic violence, mental health disorders or disabilities. Because they are educated in the intersections between law and social welfare, social workers are oftentimes advocates for social justice and policy reforms. Human service workers may also advocate for change but focus on offering individual support and service instead of large-scale advocacy.
A human services degree focuses on studies surrounding social work, such as human behavior or mental health, and develops the skills a learner may use to provide life-changing services and support to people in various circumstances. Degrees can range from associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and in some cases an additional certification.
Since the human services field can focus on addressing any number of societal problems, there is no single human services degree. Rather, there is a diverse range of options to choose from, depending on your specific interests and career goals.
For example, at Grand Canyon University, you can earn a degree in psychology, counseling or behavioral health. Any of these degrees will introduce you to the fundamentals of mental health, mental health disorders and human development, with the intent of preparing you to help others cope with life transitions and overcome mental health challenges.
If there is a specific area of study that particularly interests you, the psychology and counseling field offers many emphases to choose from. Perhaps you are interested in earning a degree with an emphasis in trauma, substance use disorders, childhood and adolescence disorders or performance and sport psychology. Other options include family dynamics, infancy and early childhood studies and forensic psychology.
Alternatively, you might earn a degree in social work. In this degree program, you would be introduced to key topics in diversity, advocacy and social justice. You would explore trauma-informed care, the social work process and case management skills and be prompted to reflect on the importance of professional ethics in the field.
The human services field is expected to grow for the foreseeable future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment for community and social service occupations is expected to grow faster than the national average from 2023 to 2033. The BLS projects that about 299,400 job openings will be available in this field each year during this time period.1
Since many different types of jobs fall under the human services umbrella, these professionals may work in equally diverse work settings. Some work for government agencies, for example, while others may work in private practice. Some specific work settings can include:2
Human services is a broad and interdisciplinary field that involves solving societal problems through collaboration and social justice. Human services professionals focus on empowering others, particularly underserved populations, by advocating for services, connecting people to resources and in doing so, elevating the quality of life for all.
No matter where your career takes you, you can build a solid foundation for pursuing your passion at GCU. Students can choose from a wide array of human services degree options, including the Bachelor of Social Work program and various degrees in psychology, counseling and behavioral health.
Are you ready to combine your passion for serving others with purpose for your future? Fill out the form on this page to connect with a university counselor today.
Aside from social work, there is a wide range of subspecialties within the broader human services field. These include the following:
In addition, human services professionals might choose to focus their work on serving the needs of military families, preparing communities for disasters and helping them recover from disasters, supporting victims of violent crimes or delivering health education services to individuals and communities. The possibilities are vast in this field, which means you’re likely to find a specialty area that suits your strengths and career interests.
