Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Development Degree Programs for 2023

Published: Sep 17, 2021
Updated: Sep 8, 2023

Find the best online bachelor’s in human development degree programs for students who want to work with vulnerable populations, at-risk children, or families in crisis so that they can develop the required problem-solving, communication, and counseling skills.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degrees

Arizona State University
University of Alabama
University of Louisville
University of Arkansas
California State University, East Bay
Jacksonville State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Prescott College
Warner Pacific University
American Public University System

Prescott College 99%
Maryville University 92%
Arizona State University 88%
Stephen F. Austin State University 83%
University of Arkansas 83%
California State University, East Bay 82%
University of Alabama 79%
Jacksonville State University 76%
Warner Pacific University 76%
University of Louisville 75%

California State University, East Bay 26 to 1
American Public University System 23 to 1
Jacksonville State University 21 to 1
Amberton University 20 to 1
University of Alabama 20 to 1
University of Louisville 19 to 1
University of Arkansas 19 to 1
Empire State University 18 to 1
Arizona State University 18 to 1
Stephen F. Austin State University 16 to 1

Hope International University $35,450
Prescott College $34,701
San Diego Christian College $34,310
Maryville University $27,166
Warner Pacific University $19,860
University of Louisville $12,174
University of Alabama $10,780
Arizona State University $10,710
Jacksonville State University $9,720
Amridge University $9,000

Prescott College $14,880
Maryville University $14,346
Hope International University $14,256
University of Louisville $13,524
Arizona State University $11,720
Empire State University $11,310
San Diego Christian College $10,890
Amridge University $10,800
University of Alabama $10,780
Jacksonville State University $9,600

Amridge University
San Diego Christian College
Hope International University
Amberton University
Empire State University
Maryville University
American Public University System
Warner Pacific University
Prescott College
Stephen F. Austin State University

Hope International University 40%
San Diego Christian College 53%
University of Louisville 75%
Warner Pacific University 76%
Jacksonville State University 76%
University of Alabama 79%
California State University, East Bay 82%
University of Arkansas 83%
Stephen F. Austin State University 83%
Arizona State University 88%

San Diego Christian College 9 to 1
Prescott College 9 to 1
Warner Pacific University 10 to 1
Amridge University 13 to 1
Hope International University 13 to 1
Maryville University 13 to 1
Stephen F. Austin State University 16 to 1
Empire State University 18 to 1
Arizona State University 18 to 1
University of Louisville 19 to 1

California State University, East Bay $5,742
Empire State University $7,070
American Public University System $7,360
University of Arkansas $7,666
Stephen F. Austin State University $7,842
Amberton University $8,550
Amridge University $9,000
Jacksonville State University $9,720
Arizona State University $10,710
University of Alabama $10,780

Stephen F. Austin State University $5,262
American Public University System $6,660
Amberton University $6,840
California State University, East Bay $7,176
University of Arkansas $7,875
Warner Pacific University $8,940
Jacksonville State University $9,600
University of Alabama $10,780
Amridge University $10,800
San Diego Christian College $10,890

Key Takeaways

Online human development and family studies students explore the subjects of family dynamics, family relationships, and human relationships.
Graduates qualify for entry-level positions in government agencies, private organizations, and nonprofits due to the extensive human development and family studies coverage.
Studying human development and family studies is among the most challenging and exciting endeavors because of its interdisciplinary nature.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

A Peek into the Online Bachelor of Human Development Degree

The best online bachelor’s in human development degree program prepares students for challenging yet rewarding career paths. Students learn to adopt the human and family development approach that focuses on expanding human life experiences, particularly creating choices and opportunities.

Human Development and Family Studies As a Distinct Discipline

The discipline of human development and family studies has evolved through the years. As a contemporary discipline, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) identified three fundamental elements of human development in general.

People: The human development approach should focus on the improvement of people’s lives. There’s more emphasis on income growth being a means to an end, not an end per se.
Opportunities: The human development approach focuses on empowering people to enjoy more freedom and get more opportunities to live lives according to their values. Education and employment access, for example, should go hand-in-hand to create fair opportunities.
Choices: The human development approach is, at its core, about more choices and more opportunities to make choices. While human happiness isn’t guaranteed, aside from being a personal concern, the process of human development should create conducive environments for full personal development.

While the curriculum for bachelor’s degrees in human development and family studies programs differ, these three elements are their guiding principles.

High Demand for Human Development and Family Studies Professionals

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, community and social service occupations have a projected employment growth rate of 10% (over the next decade). The faster-than-average rate means about 294,600 new jobs every year. The good news: human development and family studies professionals are among the in-demand workers in this category!

The community and social service occupations involve drug abuse, rehabilitation, and school and career counseling. Even faith-based organizations seek community and social service professionals. Human development and family studies programs are a perfect fit for these occupations!

Furthermore, community and social service professionals earned a median annual wage of $48,410 (May 2021). This is higher than the $45,760 median annual wage for all occupations. Career advancement is also excellent, particularly for professionals with advanced degrees and relevant work experiences.

Learning Outcomes in Human Development and Family Studies Programs

Human development majors benefit from the comprehensive curriculum. Their online education covers the full spectrum of human development, including the environment’s influence. Students also learn about evidence-based interventions and their impact on family relationships and quality of life.

While every human development program has its specific learning outcomes, students learn about the:

Physical, emotional and social development of individuals within the family and society, including early childhood development and adult development
Human relationships between individuals, families, and establishments in their society, such as schools, churches, healthcare facilities, and employment thru early childhood education and family life education
Development and maintenance of family relationships
Laws, rules, and regulations that influence the physical and mental health of individuals and families
Physical, psychological, and social aspects of human sexuality from childhood to adulthood
Ethical issues that human development practitioners face today

Indeed, the best human development and family studies programs provide online students with a solid foundation in the interdisciplinary discipline.

In addition to the didactic coursework, human development and family studies majors also develop practical skills through internships. The applied learning experiences are usually conducted in human service organizations.

Students are also encouraged to participate in virtual seminars and workshops, make presentations, and complete a capstone project. These learning experiences not only broaden their knowledge and develop their soft skills but also expand their networks.

Students in human development and family studies programs agree that theirs is a challenging discipline! Aside from selective admissions, students must also be passionate about people, possess time management skills, and have an interdisciplinary mindset.

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Development Degrees

Students who wish to work with vulnerable populations, at-risk children, or families in crisis can develop the required problem-solving, communication, and counseling skills by earning a bachelor’s degree in human development.

This undergraduate degree requires the completion of 120 credits, which can typically be earned either online or on campus in a minimum of four years.

Students in this program will typically take courses in sociology, psychology, family counseling, and more. Students can also select concentrations such as child development, family advocacy, and case management. Some programs may also include a fieldwork component.

Although additional certifications may be required for some roles, graduates generally qualify to work as youth program specialists, community education instructors, family financial planners, social service managers, and more.

How do we determine the best online human development bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Selecting the Best Human Development and Family Studies

The best human development and family studies bachelor’s degree programs were chosen based on several factors. First, the colleges and universities that offered these online bachelor’s degree programs were regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, among other accrediting agencies. Many are also accredited by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), meaning graduates can apply for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation.

These human development bachelor’s degree programs are also known for their emphasis on academic excellence. Online students must meet the same rigorous academic standards as their on-campus counterparts, such as minimum grades and internship completion. Graduate outcomes are among the highest in these programs because their graduates possess the top-notch skills employers look for.

The faculty members of these human development and family services programs also possess advanced degrees in their expertise. Their knowledge and skills are then passed on to their students, thus ensuring quality education and creating the next generation of professionals.

Online education has challenges, too, but students can overcome them with access to student support services. These human development and family services programs provide tutoring services, academic and career advising services, IT help desk and library services, and financial aid counseling.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Development Degree Programs

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Development Degree Programs for 2023

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degrees

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

A Peek into the Online Bachelor of Human Development Degree

Human Development and Family Studies As a Distinct Discipline

High Demand for Human Development and Family Studies Professionals

Learning Outcomes in Human Development and Family Studies Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Development Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in human development?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in human development?

What courses are taken when getting a bachelor’s in human development?

What can you do with a bachelor’s in human development?

Selecting the Best Human Development and Family Studies

Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Development Degree Programs

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What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

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Resources for Online College-Bound Students