Become a Human Services Professional

Are you interested in a career helping others, but not sure where to start? Would you like to learn about the range of possibilities within the field of human services? In this course, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to many different career options within the human services field. This knowledge will help you to decide which helping profession is the best fit for you, and guide you in the right direction to start your career.

What Happens in the Human Services Professional Certificate Course

The Human Services Professional Certificate Course is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbooks (IAP Career College Guide to Become a Human Services Professional). This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home.

This part-time Human Services Professional Certificate Course has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the course in as little as 2 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

The Human Services Professional Certificate Course has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 6 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course and advice to help you succeed in the field.

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Course Topics

The Human Services Professional Certificate Course has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the Human Services Professional certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College).

Introduction

  • A Career in Human Services
  • History of Human Services
  • The Evolving Landscape of Human Services
  • Job Outlook
  • Benefits of Being a Human Services Professional

Human Service Sectors and Service Areas

  • Social Sector
  • Health Sector
  • Education Sector
  • Justice Sector
  • International and Community Development Sector
  • Consumer Services

Human Service Careers

  • Health Sector Professions
  • Counselling and Mental Health Professions
  • Careers in Corrections
  • Social Workers
  • Rehabilitation and Therapy Careers
  • Paraprofessional Roles

Key Human Service Activities

  • Working with Clients
  • Program Management
  • Professionalism (Human Rights, Ethics, Advocacy and more)

Getting Ready

  • Skills and Knowledge You Will Need
  • Life Experiences
  • Human Services, Interpersonal, Business and Technical Skills

Career Pathways

  • Further Education
  • Direct Entry
  • Self Employment
  • Choosing the Right Path for You
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Join 500,000+ Career Changers Since 1999

What Is Included in the Human Services Professional Certificate Course Online

This all-inclusive Human Services Professional Certificate Course package includes:

  • Registration for the Human Services Professional Certificate Course Online
  • Lifetime access to course materials
  • Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice
  • (Optional) 2026 membership in the IAPO International Association of Human Services Professionals for only US$ 2.99 per month
  • Downloadable Human Services Professional Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College which you may print
  • (Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
  • Textbooks: IAP Career College Guide to Become a Human Services Professional (e-book editions)

Register for the Human Services Professional Certificate Course


BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL
Easy changes and cancellations
It’s easy to change or cancel your course registration. See our FAQ page for details.

You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from over 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.

Our online certificate courses have previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and include a textbook and professional membership – a total value of almost $377.

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Human Services Professional Certificate Course is priced as only US$ 149.00 for the September 14, 2026 course.

Associated Courses

Register today for the Human Services Professional Certificate Course. Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Human Services Professional Certificate Course online to avoid disappointment.

If the course is full, please email support@iapcollege.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.

To ensure your complete satisfaction all certificate courses are backed by our full 100% money back guarantee.

About a Career in Human Services

Are you looking for a career that combines your passion for helping others with a commitment to social justice? Do you want to empower people to take control of their lives and overcome various challenges?

If you answered “yes” to the questions above, then a career in human services may be perfect for you!

Human services is a broad, interdisciplinary field, with opportunities to connect with a diverse range of people, helping them navigate challenges and build skills to reach their full potential. Human services professionals work with individuals, families, and communities in a range of service areas, from child welfare and income support through counseling and additions, to rehabilitation, health, and correctional services.

You could work in a shelter supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, empower people with disabilities to find fulfilling careers, or provide personal care to seniors in their homes. You may work in a school, a community center, a prison, a government office, or even in private practice. The possibilities are truly vast!

According to several industry reports, there has never been a better time to break into the human services field. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Career Onestop predicts that the demand for many human services professions will grow faster than average, with personal care aide being one of the fastest growing occupations of all. Meaning that there really is no better time to pursue a career in this area.

Some careers in human services are entry level, while others require some higher education and professional licensing. Some of you may proceed directly to a satisfying career following this course, while others will decide to pursue additional education first. Before spending your valuable time and money on advanced degrees, an introductory course such as this can give you the opportunity to learn core concepts and gain insight into the world of human services to help you decide which occupation is the right match for you.

So what are you waiting for? Invest in your future and enroll in this course today to take the first step towards a career in human services.

My experience with IAP Career College was exceptional! I loved how the courses get right to the main points and you learn so much in a short period of time.
Kari Miller, Ohsweken, Ontario

Why Get a Certificate?

How can you benefit with a certificate from the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College)?

A certificate from the International Association of Professions Career College may give you:

  • Respect as a professional
  • A competitive advantage when marketing your services
  • A sense of achievement and confidence
  • A credential for your resume when applying for jobs
  • Assurance to clients of your professionalism
  • Evidence of your expertise
  • Higher earnings (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Certificates: A fast track to careers)

With the International Association of Professions Career College, you can earn a certificate online more quickly and affordably than many other educational options.

Student Spotlight: A Graduate's Success Story

Bella Simoni

“I feel more prepared, more focused, and more driven than ever.”

Bella enrolled at IAP Career College to go beyond classroom learning and get ready for the real world. From the start, the course exceeded her expectations—it opened her mind, boosted her confidence, and gave her practical skills she could use right away.

Most importantly, the program helped Bella believe in herself. With greater confidence, she now approaches new opportunities with courage and clarity.

“IAP Career College didn’t just teach me—it transformed how I see my future.”

Why Choose IAP Career College?

The International Association of Professions Career College (also known as IAP Career College) aims to offer the finest in affordable online certificate programs for dream careers.

The textbooks for most of our courses were developed by our parent company, the leading online publisher of career guide books on how to get started in a dream career, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Our guides have been used as textbooks for more than a decade, and you can find them in the career centers and library collections of many famed colleges and universities – from the University of Texas to the Fashion Institute of Technology – as well as in numerous public libraries in cities from Vancouver to New York.

It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other certificate programs. When we discovered online courses based on old editions of our career guides costing over US$ 1,000.00, we knew it was time to offer our own online certificate programs.

Now, the leader in online career guides for dream careers, along with a team of respected academics, have created online certificate programs through IAP Career College, allowing you to study and earn a certificate from the comfort of your own home.

Established online in 1999, the parent company of IAP Career College (known as FabJob) is an award-winning organization named “the #1 place to get published online” by Writer’s Digest. Our company and career guides have been featured in media ranging from ABC to Oprah’s newsletter and respected news sites ranging from CNN to the Wall Street Journal online.

We continue this tradition of excellence in online career education with the International Association of Professions Career College. Each of our career certificate programs has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College.

We invite you to learn more about the online certificate courses we offer you by visiting our Certificate Courses page. We are also happy to answer any of your questions to help you decide whether an online certificate course from the International Association of Professions Career College is right for you.

Have questions or need help?

Contact an Academic Advisor at International Association of Professions Career College:

support@iapcollege.com

Student Service Center
(For registered students only)
1-844-204-7982

If you are not a student you can email support@iapcollege.com or use live chat for inquiries.

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Click on “Ask Us a Question” at the bottom of this screen.

About IAP Career College

IAP Career College, also known as the International Association of Professions Career College, is a private online career college affiliated with FabJob Inc, the leading online publisher of guide books on how to get started in a dream career, serving hundreds of thousands of career changers on six continents since 1999. Learn more about us.

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  • What does a human services professional do?
    Human services professionals occupy a variety of roles, providing support to individuals and communities through advocacy, resource coordination, crisis intervention, and client-centered guidance. They often work with social service agencies, nonprofits, or community-based programs, helping to connect people with the support and services they need.
  • What will I learn in the Human Services Professional Certificate Course?
    This part-time certificate course offers a comprehensive introduction to social service fundamentals—covering client communication, ethical practice, case coordination, program planning, and basic leadership skills within community service settings. It’s designed to help you explore this field and build foundational knowledge.
  • How long does the Human Services Professional Certificate Course take to complete?
    The Human Services Professional Certificate Course is designed to be self‑paced, with a recommended completion time of 6 weeks. However, you have the flexibility to complete it in as little as 2 weeks or extend it up to 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

    Need more time? No problem. All of IAP’s Courses include lifetime access.
  • How much can I earn as a human services professional?
    According to Glassdoor, a Human Services Professional has an estimated total annual compensation of $56,284, which includes an average base salary of $50,532. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Career Onestop predicts that the demand for many human services professions will grow faster than average, with personal care aide being one of the fastest-growing occupations of all. Meaning that there really is no better time to pursue a career in this area.
  • Can I pursue community or social services work after completing this course?
    Yes. While it's not a government-recognized qualification required for some roles, this course prepares you for introductory roles such as outreach coordinator, case aide, or community support worker. It’s ideal for entering or testing the field of social services.
  • Do I need prior experience in social work or community service?
    No. The course welcomes beginners and introduces core human services principles and skills in an accessible and structured way.
  • Can I take the Human Services Professional Certificate Course from outside of North America?
    Yes. The course is 100% online and self‑paced—available globally with all course materials accessible 24/7.
  • Will I receive a certificate when I finish the course?
    Yes! Upon completing the course and passing the exam, you will receive a Human Services Professional Certificate from IAP Career College—demonstrating your understanding of human services principles and community support strategies.
  • What is IAP Career College?
    The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering certificate courses and professional certifications for non‑traditional and "dream" careers.

    Since 1999, we’ve helped over 500,000 students across six continents get started in dream careers—from life coaching to event planning to end‑of‑life care. Our courses are flexible, beginner‑friendly, and designed for adult learners looking for practical, self‑paced options.

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