Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Public and Social Services

If you’re looking for an associate degree that’s going to put you into a highly rewarding career that will really allow you to make a difference in your community, then you might want to research getting a public and social services associate degree.

What Is Public and Social Services?

Public and Social Services is sort of an “umbrella” term for agencies that work with our society’s most vulnerable people.

For instance, public service agencies help organize food drives. They hand out food stamps, educate people about their Medicaid services, work in child welfare, run domestic violence shelters, manage government-run homeless shelters, and teach developmentally challenged adults the basics on personal care.

What You’ll Learn In A Public and Social Services Associate Degree Program

In public and social services, you’re probably going to work with an incredibly diverse group of people. This means that your classes are going to focus heavily on teaching you the basics of psychology and sociology, as well as how to manage emotional or challenging situations.

Some of the courses you might take for this degree include:

Psychology
Sociology
Abnormal Psychology
Child Psychology
Crisis Intervention
Family Therapy
Group Counseling
Addictive Behavior Counseling
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Managing a Non-Profit Agency
Developmental Psychology

Careers With An Associate Degree In Public and Social Services

An associate degree in public and social services is going to prepare you for several different positions. You’ll have the skills to work as a human service worker, case management aid, life skills counselor, gerontology aid, community support worker, social worker assistant, mental health aid, and much more.

You’ll also be qualified to work in several different industries including physical therapy clinics, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, public services, at-home elderly care, rehabilitation services, and much more.

This may seem very like a mixed bag, and there’s no doubt that it is. Public and social services are literally straining for people, and getting your degree is going to allow you to pretty much work in any of these sectors.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that this field is expected to grow by 34% through 2016, which is great news because it means you won’t have any trouble finding a job once you’re through with school.

The average income for public and social services assistants is around $25,000. But, this is a field where it will definitely pay for you to stay in school to earn your Bachelor’s Degree. Social workers with a 4-year degree have a salary that starts around $45,000.

People who work in social services often have to travel for their job, but usually not very far. You might have to visit people in their home or hospital. However, the majority of your time will probably be spent in one spot.

Although public and social services can be emotionally challenging at times, you definitely have an opportunity to make a real difference in your community with this degree. If you love working with people, this might be a great degree choice for you.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information