What is a Human Services Degree?

Human services is an important degree, as it teaches students to become professionals who are able to advocate for the needs of those in their community and identify resources for them. If you are someone who strives to help others, a human services degree may be for you. With this degree, there are many career options available to you, including some with a high salary potential. While you may already be involved in human services to some capacity, a master’s degree in human services prepares you to lead organizations that provide services to a community, especially to those who need help the most. 

This article reviews a total of 20 human services degrees across the United States, including those that are offered online and/or on campus. These include:

• Kansas State University
• Bryan College
• University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• The University of Arizona
• California State University, Northridge
• Liberty University
• East Tennessee State University
• Lenoir-Rhyne University
• University of Oklahoma
• Purdue University Global
• Cocordia University, St. Paul
• Chestnut Hill College
• Wilmington University
• Lehigh University
• St. Joseph’s College New York
• McDaniel College
• Webster University
• Texas Southern University
• University of Baltimore/Coppin State University Collaborative
• Albertus Magnus College

Human Services vs Social Work Degree

A human services degree is different from a degree in social work in that it provides specialized training in administration or other roles having to do with running an organization in the human services industry. A social work degree typically leads to a career as a social worker. Both degrees teach students in-depth information in subjects having to do with human behavior, such as sociology, counseling, and more. However, a social worker often becomes licensed and typically performs different duties within the scope of their career than someone with a degree in human services might. For example, if you wish to provide mental health therapy to people, it may be ideal for you to get a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and become licensed. However, if you would rather be on the administrative side of running a social services organization, a human services degree may be for you. The two degrees overlap in some ways, and someone with a degree in one of the two areas may go into the career of the other, but each generally has a specific career ahead of them.

Human Services Degree Overview

A human services master’s degree typically requires the completion of about 30-39 units/credits on average, which takes about two years (four semesters) to complete. Some schools may have part-time options, which might take longer. A human services degree covers a lot of different subjects to prepare you for leadership, administrative, or managerial roles within social service or other organizations. As such, there is a lot of information that needs to be covered within the two years of the program. Many programs offer different concentrations that a student can take to add to their education and gain knowledge on a specific topic, such as:

• Community and Social Services
• Crisis Intervention
• Addiction 
• Counseling
• Marriage and Family
• Public Health 
• Administration
• And many more

While working towards your degree, choosing a specialization that is aligned with your interests can help you customize your education and ensure that you are an expert in a particular area of human services.

Many human services degree programs at the master’s level also require the completion of an internship, which is usually around 200 hours. This allows a student to apply what they learned in the classroom to a real-world experience in a professional setting. That way, the student receives a well-rounded experience where what they are taught is reinforced through direct experience.

Why Complete a Human Services Degree?

Completing a human services degree opens up the opportunity for a variety of careers that involve helping people. Every part of the world, including the US, often has some level of social problems that can affect the people who live there. The solutions to these problems can be complex and difficult to navigate for the people who live there. However, there are many different types of organizations that work to fix these problems by helping those in need either directly or indirectly. These organizations might be nonprofits, governmental, health clinics, and more, and employ a number of different professionals who can help make the organization function to better the community. 

A master’s degree in human services may allow you to make changes at a higher, administrative level. You might have the opportunity to have more say in the functions of the organization. With a bachelor’s degree in human services, you can still help others in roles such as a case manager or community health worker. 

Earning a degree in human services can be very rewarding for many people. Although it is not without its challenges, you can make a real difference in the lives of others.

What Can You Do With a Human Services Degree?

With a master’s degree in human services, there are many options to tailor the career to your preferences. If your program offers it, you can choose a specialization that matches your interests. Upon graduation, you may have the option to work for different organizations, including:

• Social services agencies
• Government agencies
• Medical clinics
• Rehab clinics
• Adoption agencies
• Public health agencies 
• Nonprofits
• Educational institutions 
• And more.

Each of these kinds of organizations employ a number of professionals to help them meet their goals. Below is an overview of several careers you might be able to have with this degree, and the median salary to expect, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): 

• Medical and Health Services Managers
  • Median Salary: $104,830
  • Job Outlook: 28%
• Emergency Management Director
  • Median Salary: $79,180
  • Job Outlook: 3%
• Social and Community Service Managers
  • Median Salary: $73,240
  • Job Outlook: 9%
• Community Health Worker
  • Median Salary: $46,190
  • Job Outlook: 14%
• Behavioral or Substance Abuse Counselor 
  • Median Salary: $49,710
  • Job Outlook: 18%

10 Online Human Services Degrees

Receiving an online education can be beneficial for many people. For example, those who are pursuing a master’s degree are often already employed full-time. Online classes can allow one to expand their career and income opportunities by earning an advanced degree, all without needing to quit their job. Others thrive in school when they are able to take classes online due to having more flexible options for their environment. Others lead busy lives with families and other obligations, so having the flexibility of online classes can provide some relief to their schedules. Each of the ten universities below offer an online option for a masters in human services program.

10 Campus-Based Human Services Degrees

Masters in human services programs that take place on campus might be the right format for many students. There are benefits to this format, just as there are benefits to attending online. Students who attend on-campus may feel more engaged when in a classroom with the professor and other students. Being on campus can also lead to building and expanding networks, which may be helpful for a future career. Below is a review of universities offering a masters degree in human services that takes place on campus, with some also including an online option as well.

Conclusion

If you want to create real change on a higher level for the people in your community, a master’s degree in human services might be right for you. This degree will help you gain knowledge in a variety of areas such as human development, mental health, rehabilitation, and more, while learning how an administrative role plays a part in these fields. This degree opens up the opportunity for working in environments such as nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare clinics, and more. This means that you are likely to have a lot of options as to where to work once you have graduated. Many of the degree programs in this article also offer flexible class options, such as an online or on-campus format, so you can choose what works best for you. Earning a master’s degree in human services is one way to become involved at a higher level with making change for people who need help the most.