Cincinnati State

Human and Social Services

Choosing Cincinnati State means you’re making a smart financial decision. You’ll get the high-quality education you need without the heavy debt that often comes with it. With lower tuition, real-world work experience, and the chance to graduate with less debt, Cincinnati State is a great investment in your future.

Save 30-50% on tuition

Our tuition is among the lowest in the region with credits that may be transferred toward a bachelor's degree, saving you about half the price of the first two years at a university.

Enter the workforce sooner

An associate’s degree can be completed in 2 years,

placing you into the workforce and starting your career in social, human, or behavioral health settings.

Exploring Major Options

Human & Social Services is designed for students who want to work directly in social services, behavioral health, or addiction recovery, and it leads to the credentials needed to get started in the field. But Cincinnati State offers a few other similar programs, too, and it can be hard to know which one truly fits your goals. Learn more and compare the options so you can feel more confident that HSS is the right path for you.

Human and Social Services

Prepares you for work in social services, behavioral health, and community support. Qualified graduates of this associate’s degree are eligible to register as a Social Work Assistant (SWA) in Ohio. It’s a strong option if you want to work directly with people across a variety of settings. Includes a required practicum.

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Human and Social Services – Addiction Studies

Focus is on careers in addiction recovery and substance use support. This degree builds on the Human and Social Services major foundation with specialized coursework in chemical dependency. Graduates can pursue credentials like the LCDC II. Includes a required practicum.

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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Certificate

A good option for students interested in disability advocacy or support work. This certificate prepares you to support individuals with developmental disabilities in homes, day programs, and early intervention services.

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Addiction Studies Certificate

Get started in the addiction counseling field with focused, short-term training. This certificate prepares you to earn the CDCA credential and qualify for entry-level roles in substance use recovery programs. It can also be paired with the HSS degree for students seeking additional specialization.

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Estimated Cost

We believe in transparency when it comes to the cost of your education. Below is the estimated cost for the Human and Social Services (HSS.AAS) major based on fall 2026 tuition rates for 5 semesters with full-time enrollment in fall, spring, and summer with parking. Your payments will be spread out over the course of your studies, based on the classes you enroll in each semester. Note that costs may vary based on individual factors, such as major, course, delivery mode, credit hours, semesters, tuition rate, etc.