Without argument, an online master’s degree in human service is for individuals with kind and empathic personalities. As a job seeker, obtaining a master’s provides the credentials for leadership and other administrative positions. In addition, it provides them with the advanced education needed to make a difference in their locality and beyond. Human services specialists work to enhance the quality of life of a diverse range of cultures.
According to the BLS, human service workers will enjoy accelerated job growth of 13% within the next ten years. Depending on specialization and sector, human service practitioners earn an average annual salary of $37,610. Hence, with an online master’s degree in human services, you will learn how to have the effect you always thought impossible.
As a prospective human services student, you most likely have numerous questions that need answers. To begin with, what advantages come with a profession in human services? How should you prepare? And, perhaps the biggest question on your mind, why even pursue human services? You will find answers to these questions in this Top Online Master’s Degree in Human Services guide.
What is Human Services?
Accordingly, human services take a distinctive approach to meeting human needs through a multidisciplinary knowledge base. It focuses on problem-solving and prevention strategies and upholding a commitment to raising the general standards of living of the service populations. For example, the human services field works to enhance public service offerings. In other words, focusing not only on the efficacy of programs and services but rather on accessibility, responsibility, and collaboration between experts and agencies.
What is the difference between social work and human services?
Social work seeks to enable and empower people, particularly those impacted by societal injustices in various spheres of life. In contrast, human services attempt to meet basic human requirements by preventing and resolving issues that develop in offering quality life to patients and people. Human service professionals apply integrated experience and knowledge to address various human needs. Social workers assist individuals in acquiring necessary skills and accessing valuable resources to better their situation.
Top 6 Online Master’s Degree in Human Services Programs
1. Purdue University Global
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Science in Human Services
Duration: 17 months
Purdue University Global offers an online MS degree in Human Services to prospective students that intend to enhance the quality of life of people in society. The curriculum focuses on the evaluation, design implementation, delivery of services, and accessibility. Furthermore, candidates can choose from the two available specializations: community and family services or social and organizational services. Subsequently, graduates can perform tasks such as:
- Identify and put into practice efficient solutions that consider a theoretical and philosophical foundation based on the ethics of the human services industry.
- Assist in providing timely services, review information, including data analysis, and evaluate and interpret findings.
Also, Purdue University integrates an internship option for students to put the concepts gained in the classroom in real-world settings. In short, the coursework satisfies the educational criteria to sit for the HS-BCP exam.
2. Walden University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Science in Human Services
Duration: less than two years
Walden University also provides an online Master of Science in Human Services. In short, the program provides candidates with real-world skills necessary to help various inhabitants of different communities. The program incorporates simulation technology with vital tools to help graduates develop essential skills in a safe learning environment.
After the academic program, graduates will be able to:
- Understand human services professionals’ function in fostering social change and fighting for the rights of disadvantaged people, communities, and families.
- Enhance the effectiveness of human services, utilize, and interpret studies in the field.
- Develop contextually and culturally relevant initiatives and direct services by combining study findings.
3. Saint Leo University
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Degree Offered: Master of Science in Human Services Administration
Duration: 1 or 2 years
Saint Leo University offers an online MS in Human Services Administration that equips students to run their own human services organization. Graduates will analyze and evaluate fundraising methods, board development, leadership, grantsmanship, marketing, advocacy, program evaluation, etc. Also, in this program, candidates will learn top-level executive skills to carry out:
- Entrepreneurial concepts for starting for-profit businesses and social projects;
- Monetary planning, fundraising, marketing, and grant-writing techniques;
- Steps to carry out a community needs assessment, then the actions required to provide new services or enhance current ones to cover gaps.
- Crafting of mission statement and development of a nonprofit organization, etc.
Note: Graduates can complete the master’s in human services administration degree within 15 months, depending on the student’s place of learning.
4. St. Joseph’s University – New York
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Degree Offered: Bachelor / Master of Science in Human Services Leadership (Dual Degree)
Duration: Less than four years
St. Joseph’s University offers a dual BS and MS in Human Services Leadership to prospective students globally via its online learning platform. Learners who successfully finish their BS in Human Services will only require six additional 18 credits classes to complete the master’s program. Through this means, graduates will get benefit from cost reduction in tuition.
The combined degree is specifically created to teach the vital skills of the human services role while also preparing learners for leadership and management positions within their industry/agency. Graduates will leave school with a deeper understanding of case management, special populations, and social welfare. This dual degree program accelerates the candidate’s progress throughout the degree. It is particularly well suited for students who are already employed in the profession and require the credentials for career advancement or development.
Note: Among the online human services degree programs obtainable in different institutions, dual degree types proves to be more affordable and take fewer years to complete (for those starting from the undergraduate level).
5. Nova Southeastern University
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Master of Human Services in Child Protection
Duration: two years
Nova Southeastern University offers an online Master of Human Services in Child Protection. With this degree, learners will acquire the pertinent data, values, and abilities required to effectively address the complex issues children and families face in child protection services.
6. Southeastern University
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Human Services
Duration: Less than two years
Southeastern University provides an online Master of Arts in Human Services. The 36-semester-hour academic program will equip graduates with a theoretical and practical grasp of the field of human services. Also, the curriculum is built around some core specialization courses, with additional coursework in an administrative specialty.
Via this program, candidates will:
- Learn how to govern in various human services agency scenarios and settings, which calls for applying theory.
- Use a variety of theoretical perspectives to demonstrate collaborative and efficient problem-solving capabilities.
- Integrate biblically based ethics with the profession’s guiding principles in human services.
Online Master’s Degree in Human Services: What to Expect
Application Requirements
Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit a valid copy of their academic transcript from previous colleges/universities to the institution of their choice. Also, applicants must submit transcripts from any extra coursework after that time.
References
On their application, candidates must provide the names and contact details of two references. Applicants should use references from an academic or professional setting.
Human service degree requirements
Certified and licensed human services candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree in any human services discipline and a master’s degree in administration or related specializations/concentrations. To practice, human services experts must obtain a state license, although the core requirements differ.
Coursework
- Diversity and cultural humility
- Practice and skills in human services
- Personal values and professional ethics
- Human Behavior and human development in context
Degree Concentrations and Specializations
- Community and Social Services
- Criminal Justice
- Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
- Family Studies and Interventions
- Studies in Aging
- Human Services Nonprofit Administration
- Mental Health
- Military Families and Culture
- Leadership and Organizational Management
Online Master’s Degree in Human Services Careers
What’s the career impact of earning an MS in human services?
Human services practitioners significantly impact society because they often use their knowledge to improve vital societal areas such as criminal justice, homelessness, health care, etc. By earning a master’s degree in human services, college graduates can prepare to pursue various professionally fulfilling careers. These careers are in sectors like; community development, social services, and mental health services.
Furthermore, a master’s degree in human services can academically prepare you for work such as:
- Education Assistant
- Social Work Assistant
- Disability Services Worker
- Respite Specialist Worker
- Settlement Worker
- Child and Youth Care Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Child and Family Support Worker
What can you do with a master’s in human services?
A degree in human services can equip learners for various lucrative and fulfilling careers. However, some people might need to make a little more of an effort to get the job they desire. Depending on a candidate’s choice, they can choose to work as a: probation officer, community outreach personnel, public policy consultant, social worker, etc.
Note: With a masters in human services online, you can work in any of the outlined professions.
What is the job outlook for someone with an MS in human services?
Between the years 2020 to 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that; jobs for human and social service assistants will increase by 17 percent, which is considerably higher than the growth for all occupations. An average of 59,100 positions will be available for human and social service professionals over the next ten years.
Masters in Human Services Salary
With a masters in human services online degree, you can work in diverse lucrative roles in governmental and non-governmental organizations. According to BLS, the average annual salary for human and social service assistants in May 2021 was $37,610.
Note: The master’s in human services salary varies based on a graduate’s experience.
Professional Development & Licensing After an Online Master’s Degree in Human Services
Certification
- The Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE)
The Center for Credentialing and Education, in collaboration with the National Organization of Human Services, provides the HS-BCP Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner certification. In summary, the CCE certificate fosters up-to-date ethical standards and professionalism within the sector. - The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides the NCC certification for students in the human services field seeking to specialize in counseling. Candidates must pass a formal examination, have a counseling (or relevant) degree, and also have suitable work and supervision experience. - The Council on Social Work Education
Lastly, the Council on Social Work Education provides several qualifications to eligible students, though they may vary by state.
Licensure
While some exceptions exist for specialists working in the government sector, Human Services practitioners typically need licenses to operate effectively. To be eligible for the license, applicants must obtain a master’s degree in human services or a related field and complete either 3,000 hours or two years of supervised clinical practice after graduation. After that, candidates must succeed in formal examinations to earn the license.
Continued Education
The state licensing boards decide whether a seminar or workshop is suitable for fulfilling continuing education criteria. They sometimes rely on professional associations such as Approved Continuing Education or Association of Social Work Boards.
Human services professionals can take continuing education workshops and courses on various topics, such as:
- Conflict resolution
- Trauma treatment
- Ethical practice
- Conflict resolution
- Adoption counseling
- Neuropsychology
- Professional ethics
- Narrative therapy
- Adoption counseling
Start an Online Master’s Degree in Human Services Today!
Helping people significantly contributes to society’s improvement. Hence, the human services industry is crucial to maintaining a just and healthy community for everybody. Then what? In short, compassion and solid academic background are what you need to contribute your quota towards making an impact in this field. For this to happen, enroll in an Online Master’s Degree in Human Services today.
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