Bachelor of Arts

Human Services Counseling

Ready to get started?

Fill out the form below to get in touch with an enrollment counselor.

  • Choose from two unique concentrations
  • Earn your degree in two years
  • Only human services counseling program in the state of Oklahoma

Program Details

Next Start Date
January 16th
Est. Program Length
2-4 years
Course Length
8 weeks
Cost per Credit
$321.80*
Credit Hours
124
Credits Accepted
94

*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $638.80 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees.

Request Info

Begin your career helping others

Get the training you need to begin a rewarding career with the Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling program at East Central University Online.

A pragmatic, hands-on degree designed to prepare you for entry-level roles in human services, this program features two concentrations of study and substantial opportunities for real-world training. Our online human services degree can ready you to work in a variety of professional areas including family support, substance abuse, social services, care facilities, prison systems and more.

Human Services Counseling Concentrations

Counseling Concentration

Offers a broad course of study that readies students for entry-level counseling careers. Study in-demand topics like intervention techniques, vocational testing and employment and placement.

Rehabilitation Concentration

Work as a disability specialist to help people manage physical, mental, cognitive, behavioral and addictive challenges. The curriculum emphasizes various aspects of disability, intervention techniques, counseling and more.


Topics of Study

Our online human services degree offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare you for your career. Just a few potential topics of study include:

  • Human behavior
  • Case management
  • Employment and placement
  • Intervention techniques
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Social environments

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of core content needed by entry-level professionals in the human services counseling field.
  • Write reports and service plans reflecting a professional level of writing skills in a style appropriate to the field.
  • Exhibit improved interpersonal skills, including empathy, communication, patience and active listening.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate human services counseling theory with practice.

Courses & Requirements

Our online bachelor’s degree in human services counseling requires a total of 124 credit hours. Students must take 44 credit hours in general education.

The human services counseling online degree program is comprised of 45 credit hours, including 24 credit hours in the human services core. Depending on your concentration of study, the rest of the required credit hours are divided up among the concentration, human resources and general electives and any special coursework that may be required.

ECU requires all students to take general education courses. For this program, 6 credit hours (PSYCH 1113 and SOC 1113) are counted in the major. 38 additional credit hours are needed.

HURES 2083
HURES 2103
HURES 2183
HURES 3183
HURES 4946

Concentrations

HURES 3763
HURES 4443
HURES 4453
HURES 2213
HURES 3083
HURES 3203
HURES 3763
HURES 4443
HURES 4453

Electives (12-17 credit hours)


Admission Requirements

To be accepted into ECU’s B.A. in Human Services Counseling online program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a 2.25 GPA or higher
  • If you are a transfer student, you must have completed 24 college credit hours with a retention GPA of 2.0 or higher. If you have fewer than 24 college credit hours, you will be required to submit your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores for consideration.

Note: CLEP or life experience will not be accepted for credit.


How to Apply

To apply, you must submit the following materials:

  • Online application
  • Official high school or college transcript from an accredited institution
  • ACT/SAT scores

Have a question about this program or the admission process? Get connected to one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostTotal
Tuition124 credit hours$321.80*$39,903.20
Total with transfer credits (up to 94)**$9,654.00

*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $638.80 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees.
**Note: Transfer students must have completed at least 24 credit hours.
Fees and tuition subject to change.

Financial Aid

At ECU Online, we strive to ensure your education is as affordable as possible. Learn more about your options for financing your education by visiting our Financial Aid page.

View Financial Aid

Military Benefits

East Central University is a proud military-friendly school. Discover how your status as a U.S. military veteran or active-duty service member can help you earn your degree by visiting our Military & Veterans page.

View Military Benefits

Native American Students

Eligible Native American students can find financial aid programs, heritage scholarships, grants, and academic support services to help ensure their success at ECU.

View our Native American Students page

Are You the First in Your Family to Go to College?

At ECU, we recognize that “going first” can be difficult. We provide the extra financial support, scholarships, resources, services, and skills you need to succeed.

View our First-Generation College Students page

Transfer Students

If you’ve taken college-level courses elsewhere, you could save time and money earning your degree by transferring credits to ECU and may qualify for scholarships.

View our Transfer Students page

Career Outlook

Human services is a rapidly growing field according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an estimated 23% increase in jobs by 2026. Those who have an educational background in this field are well on their way towards a meaningful and high-opportunity career.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor

Alcohol and drug addiction counselors help individuals suffering from substance abuse to get help and improve their lives. They often work in medical institutions, social work facilities and prisons. Students pursuing a concentration in rehabilitation are suited for this role.

Average annual salary: $38,122

Bereavement Coordinator

Bereavement coordinators assist terminally ill patients and their families by providing counseling services, handling paperwork and offering other forms of assistance. Students pursuing a concentration in counseling are particularly suited to this position.

Average annual salary: $47,633

Case Manager

Case managers guide and support individuals in ways that will help them improve their quality of life. Clients often include recovering addicts, ex-convicts, those experiencing poverty or the elderly. Students pursuing a concentration in aging are especially prepared for this career.

Average annual salary: $39,355

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We have three scholarships specifically dedicated to those who choose to study human services counseling:

  • Richard E. Baumgartner Memorial Scholarship
  • Higginbotham Family Scholarship
  • Lowell E. Green Scholarship

Learn more about each of these opportunities

Human services is a broad field that encompasses a variety of pathways that aim to meet human needs and improve the quality of life for others. You can work in this field as either a professional or paraprofessional and specialize in fields including mental health, substance abuse, family care, disabilities, youth services, aging and more.

This person-centered field allows for the prevention and mediation of the problems of living, particularly among the most vulnerable in society. When everyone has accessible, accountable and coordinated services, they are able to live more fulfilling, productive and healthy lives.

Request More Information