Atlanta-Area Colleges with Human Services Degrees
Human services professionals are engaged in community outreach programs, civic advocacy and the delivery and promotion of social welfare resources. In the Atlanta, Georgia, area, three 4-year schools offer bachelor's degrees in human services. This article profiles those schools, none of which is more than 25 miles from downtown. Also included here is a table that lets prospective students quickly see important facts about each school, such as size, tuition and graduation data.
- For Georgia residents, Kennesaw State University offers affordable in-state tuition rates, as well as a bachelor's degree program and a human services certificate. This school is about 23 miles from downtown Atlanta.
- Shorter University offers a bachelor's degree program. Shorter is about 13 miles from the city center.
- Featuring a nearly 75% graduation rate, Atlanta's Spelman College offers a multidisciplinary approach to human services through their adult bachelor's degree program. Spelman is just two miles from downtown Atlanta.
Comparison of Schools
The following table offers information that will enable scholars to make a knowledgeable choice about their education.
| Kennesaw State University | Shorter University | Spelman College | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year public university | 4-year private not-for-profit university | 4-year private not-for-profit college |
| Total Enrollment (Fall 2021)* | 42,899 | 1,460 | 2,417 |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Small City | Large City |
| Undergraduate Tuition (2021-2022)* | $5,786 in-state; $17,040 out-of-state | $22,810 | $28,885 |
| % of Undergraduate Students Receiving Financial Aid (2020-2021)* | 91% | 99% | 100% |
| Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (2021)* | 82% | 81% | 51% |
| Retention Rate (2020-2021)* | 74% full-time | 68% full-time | 91% full-time |
| Graduation Rate* | 49% (Students began in 2015) | 37% (Students began in 2015) | 76% (Students began in 2015) |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Kennesaw State University
A public university located on the outskirts of Atlanta, Kennesaw State University is home to the WellStar College of Health and Human Services. The Department of Social Work and Human Services offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as an undergraduate certificate program.
Bachelor of Science in Human Services
The Bachelor of Science (BS) program offers concentration options in social engagement and advocacy and nonprofit management and social innovation. All undergraduate majors will complete coursework covering interviewing skills, cultural competence and sociology, as well as a course on government or psychology. Other program coursework includes topics such as poverty, social welfare, community intervention and human socialization. The Department of Social Work and Human Services also offers an undergraduate certificate program for human services majors, leading to a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, offered in conjunction with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.
Shorter University
A private Christian university, Shorter University was founded in 1873. Today, the university system has grown to four campus locations throughout the Atlanta area. The College of Adult and Professional Programs offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs geared towards adult learners.
Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Shorter University's BS in Human Services program is designed to provide students with diagnostic expertise and analysis for a variety of global and domestic human services roles. Program courses cover social sciences writing, childhood and adult development, social psychology, abnormal psychology, counseling, case management and cultural diversity. Students will also complete supervised field experiences and an applied research project.
Spelman College
Spelman College was established in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. One of 33 undergraduate majors, the human services program is available for Pauline E. Drake Scholars, a program designed to provide adult education to learners who have been out of school for several years.
Bachelor of Arts in Human Services
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Human Services program is a multidisciplinary program with flexible coursework in subjects such as economics, education, political science, sociology and psychology. Human services coursework includes courses on sociological research methods and management. Students will also complete coursework in specialized areas of study, including community studies, individual or group processes, multicultural studies, criminology and developmental psychology.
