Industry Growth
Employment of social and community service managers is expected to increase by 9% by 2032, much faster than the average all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.
Graduate Programs
Human Services Certificate Programs
Advance your career in human services as you learn about current and emerging administration and leadership roles in these online certificates.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Certificates
Format
100% Online
Credits
9
Avg. Time to Completion
1 Year
College/School
Explore the Graduate Human Services Programs
With a human services certificate, you can advance your expertise and level up your career working in nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service agencies, health care organizations, state and local governments, and beyond. If you're looking to hone your interpersonal skills and find creative solutions to the complex challenges facing human service organizations today, these certificates are for you.
Offered 100% online, our graduate-level human services certificate programs focus on two specific areas:
• Human Services Foundations: designed for professionals entering human services industries
• Human Services Leadership: designed for current human service industry leaders
Take on one certificate or try both to stack your way to a master's degree at a reduced cost.
As you study theory, research, and best practices across human services professions, you'll gain the expertise and confidence necessary to ignite your career and successfully navigate your organization through change and growth.
NOTE: This certificate program is also offered to students with a high school diploma who do not have a college degree or are in the process of earning an associate's or bachelor's degree. Please see our Adult & Continuing Studies academic offerings for details about the human services certificate programs for continuing studies students.
Human Services Certificate Program Options
The 9-credit online human services foundations certificate focuses on the development of the human services profession, models of effective organization and administration, and the basic principles of change and administration in communities and organizations.
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to make effective decisions as you advance in your human services career.
The 9-credit online human services leadership certificate focuses on multicultural and multidisciplinary approaches, ethical and legal issues and standards, strategic planning, and how current and emerging issues impact policy making and leadership.
You'll graduate a more effective leader, confident in your ability to evaluate your organization and find innovative solutions.
Complete the online certificate programs in human services foundations or human services leadership and then easily transition to either the organizational development & leadership master's degree or the allied health education master's degree.
The transition is simple; students enrolled in the certificate will only have to complete a short application and will have all their discounted certificate course credits applied to the degree program.
You can even complete a master's degree by combining (or "stacking") certificates and taking a capstone course. Completing a master's degree program this way will afford you significant savings, as certificate courses cost 50 percent less than master's courses.
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Human Services Students
Why Study Human Services at Widener?
Fuel Career Growth
Pursuing a human services certificate can introduce you to new skills while you decide if a master's degree is right for you. Complete your certificate completely online and then seamlessly transition credits into the master's degree.
You'll save money on discounted certificate courses that don't require a commute! It's never been easier to get started on the next leg of your educational journey.
Build a Network of Industry Insiders
Your education will stretch beyond the online classroom as you build relationships with accomplished guest speakers, driven classmates, engaged alumni, and expert faculty who are leaders in the human development sector. As you get to know these industry insiders, you'll create a meaningful network of connections that will follow you long after graduation.
Human Services Certificates Program Highlights
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
- Online application
- $35 application fee
- Resume
- All baccalaureate official transcripts
- Personal Statement (see below)
Personal Statement
Please explain why you wish to do graduate work in the field you have selected with particular emphasis on your proposed area of specialization. Please limit this essay to no more than one typewritten page.
The human services certificate programs operate with rolling admissions; there is no deadline to apply.
Widener transfer applicants follow the same application process as general applicants. After you apply, our admissions team will work with you to determine whether completed undergraduate and graduate coursework will count towards foundation/core courses that can be waived or substituted.
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey.
HOW TO APPLY AS A GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
- Complete your online application
- Submit your official transcripts from all college/university post-secondary institutions. A course-by-course credential evaluation completed by a NACES certified organization will be accepted if the transcript is not in the English language.
- Fulfill the English Proficiency requirements
Learn more about applying as a international graduate student
Visa & financial aid assistance not available for online graduate programs including this one.
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it.
You might be surprised how much we are able to offer.
Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources. Our school code is 003313.
In order to receive a financial aid offer, students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the general eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs:
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Be enrolled or admitted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
Learn more about applying for financial aid as a graduate student
NOTE: This certificate program does not qualify for federal financial aid if taken alone. Submit your FAFSA to be eligible for aid directly from Widener, and see below for other paths to savings including Widener scholarships, employer partnerships, and an alumni discount.
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Tuition rates are subject to change. Official costs for your first year will be determined at time of enrollment.
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Center for Graduate & Continuing Studies
-
Hyatt Hall
- 610-499-4507
- gcs@widener.edu
- 610-499-4369
Sharmane S. Walker
Associate Director of Academic Affairs
-
Hyatt Hall, Office #211
- (610) 499-4394
- sswalker@widener.edu