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Certificate in Human Services

Are you ready to start the path to a rewarding career in the helping professions? Then you’re in the right place with the Indiana Wesleyan University Human Services Certificate program. Designed for driven individuals seeking to make a difference, this entirely online program enables you to delve into the complexities of human behavior, social issues, and effective intervention strategies from the comfort of your home. Over six months and through five immersive courses, prepare to transform your passion for service into actionable skills and knowledge.

Why Pursue My Human Services Certificate Online at IWU?

At Indiana Wesleyan University, we understand that education is more than just acquiring knowledge; it's about creating opportunities for change. Our online Human Services Certificate program is designed for individuals ready to step forward and make a difference. With flexible online courses tailored for busy adults, we make it possible for you to pursue your HS degree without putting your life on hold. Tuition rates are locked in on your start date, so you never have to worry about tuition increases while you study through IWU. Our expert, Christian faculty teach through the same biblical worldview found on our main campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career.

What Will I Learn in this Human Services Program?

In the Indiana Wesleyan University Human Services Certificate program, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and social issues through a curriculum that covers sociology, cultural anthropology, and the psychology of personality. This program goes beyond theoretical knowledge, offering practical insights into current social problems, crisis intervention, and family dynamics. Earning this certificate not only deepens your knowledge in the field of human services but also arms you with targeted skills applicable in a range of professions and sectors, providing a distinct advantage in your professional journey.

Embrace the chance to enhance your professional capabilities and personal growth through a program that reflects your commitment to service. Join us at Indiana Wesleyan University, where your journey to making a meaningful impact in the human services field begins.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.

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Tuition & Aid

15 Credit Hours

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$405/ Credit Hour

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Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition & Fees Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. The estimated cost of attendance is available on the financial aid webpage. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.

What You'll Study

Coursework for your Human Services Certificate covers how to:

  • Navigate and address current social issues with informed strategies
  • Implement effective crisis intervention techniques
  • Understand and manage dynamics within marriages and families
  • Apply principles of sociology, cultural anthropology, and psychology of personality
  • Enhance interpersonal skills for diverse professional settings

Indiana Wesleyan University

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses and prerequisites required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

SOC-150,SOC-152,SOC-200,SOC-225,PSY-365,CRJ-268,PSY-370

Program FAQs

IWU’s Human Services faculty bring extensive real-world and academic expertise to the classroom. Dr. Mark Berry holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and has deep experience in pastoral counseling, conflict management, and ministry leadership. Dr. Margaret Bryce specializes in coaching, burnout prevention, and leadership development, and is an ICF-accredited coach who works with professionals in high-demand service roles. Dr. Jenny McGill brings global experience in intercultural engagement and international education, having worked with students from more than 60 countries and conducted research at the intersection of faith, culture, and identity. Together, faculty combine academic rigor with practical experience to prepare students for impactful careers in human services.
Students can contact IWU’s Financial Aid Office by phone or email or access support through their student portal. Most inquiries receive a response within a few business days, though timelines may vary during peak enrollment periods.
IWU’s Human Services program is designed for working adults and combines theory with real-world application. Courses are delivered in accelerated 5–6 week formats and focus on areas such as crisis intervention, advocacy, interviewing skills, and program planning. Assignments emphasize real-world scenarios, allowing students to immediately apply what they learn in professional settings.

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of human services careers, including social and community service management, case management, substance abuse counseling support roles, youth services coordination, behavioral health support, family services coordination, victim advocacy, and gerontology services. The program equips students with skills in communication, ethical decision-making, and program development, making them valuable in nonprofit, healthcare, government, and community-based organizations.
Key courses include Leading Change in Human Services, Program Planning and Evaluation in Human Services, and Interview Skills in Human Services. These courses develop leadership, program development, and interpersonal communication skills essential for success in the field.
Many graduates advance in their current roles or transition into new positions within human services. Others pursue graduate education in fields such as social work, psychology, or public administration.
This program is primarily coursework-based and does not include traditional clinical or student teaching requirements. However, students complete applied projects and case-based assignments that connect learning to real-world human services work.
Yes. IWU’s Human Services programs are fully online with no required in-person residencies. Courses are asynchronous, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule, with optional live sessions for additional engagement.
Most courses run 5–6 weeks in an accelerated format.
Students may take one course at a time or multiple courses depending on their schedule. The flexible format allows working adults to balance education with other responsibilities.
Students progress independently but engage with peers through discussions, group work, and networking opportunities within each course.
Courses are primarily asynchronous, with optional synchronous opportunities for engagement.
Students should expect to dedicate several hours per week per course to readings, discussions, and assignments.
Completion time varies by program level and transfer credits. Many students complete undergraduate programs in approximately two to four years.
Yes. IWU offers multiple start dates throughout the year.
Students receive onboarding instructions, access to the learning platform, and support from advising and student services.
Students have access to academic advising, tutoring, library resources, technical support, and career development services.
No formal internships are required, though applied learning opportunities are embedded in coursework.
Yes. Up to 75% of undergraduate requirements and 50% of major coursework may be transferred, subject to evaluation.
Yes. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may allow students to earn credit for relevant professional experience.
Yes. Students complete a capstone project focused on career planning, leadership, and applied human services strategies.
IWU integrates a Christ-centered perspective with practical, career-focused learning in a flexible online format designed for adult learners.
Self-motivated students, working adults, and those passionate about service and leadership excel in this program.
Students benefit from a structured yet flexible online environment, peer interaction, and strong support services.
Yes. Faith is integrated throughout the curriculum, particularly in discussions of ethics, service, and leadership.

Program Requirements

  • Accepted as a regular degree seeking student or as an unclassified student
  • Unclassified student requires proof of high school graduation
Completion Requirements
  • 15 credit hours from the selected courses in the specified certificate area
  • Nine of the credits must be earned at IWU for degree-seeking students; all credits must be earned at IWU for unclassified students
  • Minimum grade of "C" in each course
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate

Accreditation

Completion Requirements
  • 15 credit hours from the selected courses in the specified certificate area
  • Nine of the credits must be earned at IWU for degree-seeking students; all credits must be earned at IWU for unclassified students
  • Minimum grade of "C" in each course
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate

Take the Next Step

Discover the way forward in your personal and professional life. Pursue your HS degree online at IWU!

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