You Belong Here
So much is in store for you at Lesley University! Now that you’ve been accepted, RSVP for our exclusive celebration for new undergraduate and Threshold students for either Saturday, March 23 or Saturday, April 27.
Social Sciences

Human Services

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Empower people and communities.

You’re the one whose friends come to when they have a problem or want to know where to go for help. People seek your assistance in getting involved, giving back, or advocating for a cause.

Channel your compassion into a career helping people access the programs and services they need. As a human service major, gain a deeper view of human growth, development, and relationships. 

Build your understanding of how human behavior is impacted by social context and how you can work toward change. With our reimagined general education curriculum, you'll deeply engage in the issues facing humankind today, getting you ready to succeed in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global world.

As you grow into your career, you'll blaze a trail in your career as someone who transforms children, families, and communities.

Develop your commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. At Lesley, you’ll build the skills you need to make a difference in the lives of those who are challenged by life circumstances, societal conditions, or socio-political forces.

Explore systems and policy organizations that serve communities. Examine ways to prevent, as well as remedy, obstacles in areas such as housing, healthcare, mental health, criminal justice, and employment. Guided by faculty-mentors, learn how to navigate current challenges in the field.

Beginning in your second year, bring your studies to life through 450 hours of internship experience in places like the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Home for Little  Wanderers, and Cambridge Family and Children's Services.   

Specialize in At-Risk Individuals and Families or At-Risk Organizations and Communities, or design your own specialization. Whether you choose to specialize or not, our program gives you the opportunity to explore societal problems and develop approaches and skills that promote change.

Undergraduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

120 Credits

  • Lesley-Somerville ARPA Scholars Application

    Lesley University has been awarded a Federal ARPA grant through the City of Somerville to financially support Somerville residents or individuals employed in Somerville who wish to pursue or advance a professional undergraduate or graduate degree at Lesley University in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Human Services.  

    • New students must apply to and be accepted into one of the eligible programs at Lesley to be considered for ARPA funding.
    • Matriculated students in one of the eligible programs may apply for the ARPA funding. 
    • Accepted applicants for the ARPA funds will receive tuition relief at Lesley University for up to one year during the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Funding decisions will be made on a funds-available basis. 
    • Lesley’s financial aid team will work with individuals to identify additional funding opportunities beyond the first year of study. 
    • All ARPA funding applicants are required to fill out a FAFSA form regardless of need. 


    Apply for ARPA funding

Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology, add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

“I want to help people be the best version of themselves.”
Olivia Jarvis ’18, Human Services Major
Craft Creative Combinations
As a Human Services major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
Gain Skills and Expertise
Here’s a taste of what you’ll do in our human services program:
students interacting in classroom

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students. You'll learn from our highly specialized faculty who are passionate experts in the social sciences and beyond—from child homelessness to social work, human services, political science, and more.

Careers
Jobs You Could Have
Job opportunities for human services majors are projected to increase by over nine percent in the next ten years in a wide range of industries, including:
Careers
Where You Could Work
Graduates of global studies programs pursue a wide range of careers across a variety of industries. Top employers of graduates include:
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Whether you're pursuing social work, political science, or another major in the social sciences, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses. You'll discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of professional opportunity, service work, culture, and fun few other cities can match. And, you'll build your résumé and make connections through internships as you take advantage of the rich resources in Massachusetts, home to 20,000+ nonprofits.

Faculty

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program.
Human Services
Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.