Top Online Degrees: Education, Social Work, Public Health & More

Degrees in
Giving Back

STEPS fully suports anyone who chooses to make a career out of making a difference. Explore top careers, degree programs, and other training options in more than 30 different public service and community support fields.

Safer. Healthier. Stronger.

We can never have enough talented and driven professionals in education, social work, criminal justice, and healthcare. Learn how a career in public service can make your community safer, healthier, and stronger today.

Making College Affordable

Higher education should be accessible to everyone, no matter his or her income level. Read about financial aid and scholarships for future teachers, social workers, police officers, and other aspiring public service professionals.

Flexible Education & You

More and more higher education programs are moving online. STEPS believes in flexible and accredited learning options for everyone. Learn how online and hybrid programs work, as well as the importance of regional and programmatic accreditation.

Find Online Degrees in
Public Service

Many of today’s college students are multi-taskers. They balance work, family, and full-time or part-time degree programs. With commitments mounting and time management a challenge, flexibility is key.

Online learning has made it possible for students of all ages and abilities to earn a certificate or degree where and when it’s convenient. In 2023, over 50% of all college students took at least one online course, and around 25% were enrolled exclusively online. Distance learning may have been called “non-traditional” for years, but it’s fast becoming the norm in higher education.

Explore online degrees in public service, and see if an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in your chosen field could help you help those in need.

Ready to choose your school? Discover 10 colleges making a social impact to pair with your public service degree.

Occupational Health & Safety

Political Science

Psychology

Public Administration

Public Health

Public Policy

Social Work

Why a Career in Public Service?

The key to safer, healthier, and stronger communities? Helping others. It’s the social worker who spends extra time with a foster kid on Friday afternoon, the police officer who mentors an at-risk teen after school, and the teacher who practices fractions during his lunch break with the student who’s falling behind. Discover how you can make a difference…

40%

of U.S. children live in low-income or impoverished households

45%

of U.S. children living in poverty are overweight or obese

22%

of people globally don’t have adequate housing

65%

of incarcerated prisoners do not have a high school diploma

Public Service Careers:
How to Become a…

Firefighter

Police Officer

Corrections
Officer

Volunteer Firefighter

Social Worker

Teacher

Not every student takes the same path to a career. Some begin in community college and transfer to a four-year program. Others jump straight into a university setting and push their way to a bachelor’s and beyond. Even those who choose the traditional bachelor’s degree route have the challenge of choosing a college major and minor. Others still take smaller and more manageable steps to their chosen career, starting with on-the-job training and seeking higher education down the road.

Whether you’re interested in criminal justice, teaching, social work, or any other public service career, there are a number of ways to get from aspiring student to working professional. Read our step-by-step guides, see which options you need to consider, and, finally, learn more about yourself to chart the college and career path that’s right for you. Take your first step to a career in public service.

More How to Become Guides

What Can You Do with a Degree in…

Public Administration

Fire Science

You know you want a degree in public service, but you have so many questions you need answered first. What kind of degree makes sense for me? Which schools have the best programs? Will I get a job when I graduate? What types of jobs will I qualify for? Can I even afford to go to college?

A degree in public service means making a difference, but you also need to make a living once you’re ready to go from public service student to public service professional. Explore degrees in public service online, and get answers to the questions you need to move your education forward.

More Public Service Degrees

The Power of Volunteering

Volunteering is powerful and selfless. Whether packing food for the hungry or running a coat drive for the homeless, volunteers are a critical part of our communities. In addition to helping people and making our neighborhoods a better place, volunteering can also help you get a foot in the proverbial door.

If you’re interested in a career in social work but either don’t have experience or want to learn a little before committing to college, volunteer. If you’re looking to build your network in a new field and don’t know where to go, volunteer. Want to learn more?

Student’s Guide to Volunteering

Learn the best ways to give back as a student and how to successfully balance volunteer work and college life.

Gap Year Volunteering

Explore the benefits of taking a volunteer gap year and get expert planning tips on how to make the most of it.

Financial Aid

Learn how to find and apply for the funding you need for your public service degree. Explore federal aid, state aid, learn about the FAFSA, and discover other funding options just for you.

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships & grants are the best way to pay for a college education. It’s money you never have to pay back, and thousands of private companies, non-profits, and schools offer them each year. Find the scholarship for you.

Student Resources

Some college students breeze through their programs without a care in the world. But most don’t…

There’s admissions, financial aid, time management, exams, and a host of other things to worry about. When tackling these challenges, it all starts with the right information — in-depth guides from experts in the field who can walk you through what you need to nail the admissions essay, navigate financial aid and scholarships, prepare for finals, and land that all-important first job once you have your diploma in hand.

Explore resources from STEPS today.

Find Online Degrees in Public Service